Liberal Arts Essentials Assessment Plan
Course: PHIL 343
Writing Unit:
Instructor:
Methods: Essay Question, LAE Course Evaluation Form
LAE Category: Moral Inquiry and Western Heritage
Goal: Muskingum students will demonstrate knowledge of physical wellness and of ethical and
spiritual concepts.
Learning Objective: Objective B: Students will demonstrate an ability to assess ethical and moral issues in
society critically.
First Evidence Stream:
A. Student work examined
List the tasks used to measure the objective (e.g., exams, research project/paper assignments, presentation
or class assignment) and attach a copy of each along with the Departmental plan.
First Evidence Stream
All the tests in the course are essay or short answers. The final exam (or at midterm) of the semester will
include the following question:
 Consider a controversial social issue.
 Select two distinct political theories used to support opposing judgments on the issue.
 Justify the claim that one of the approaches is superior by formulating a well-reasoned argument.
B. Scoring Criteria
Briefly explain the criteria used to evaluate student performance in relation to the learning objective
(i.e., what constitutes advanced, proficient, partially proficient, not proficient, etc.) Attach copies of
measurement instrument or rubric.
Approved 9/2011
Examination Rubric
Objective
Student explains the
arguments for two
contrasting
judgments on a
policy issue, by using
two distinct political
theories to support
the judgments.
4
Student explains the
arguments for two
contrasting
judgments on a
policy issue, by
using two distinct
political theories to
support the
judgments.
3
Student explains the
arguments for two
contrasting
judgments on a
policy issue, but
with some omissions
in the political
theories used to
support the
judgments
Student justifies the
claim that one of the
two theoretical
approaches is
superior.
Student justifies the
claim that one of the
two theoretical
approaches is
superior by
formulating a
coherent argument
with explicit
reasons.
Student justifies the
claim that one of the
two theoretical
approaches is
superior by
formulating an
argument with some
omissions or flaws
in reasoning.
2
Student’s
explanation of the
arguments involves
significant
omissions and errors
regarding the
political theories.
For example, if one
approach is
explained, the other
is omitted. Or, if
both approaches are
explained, there are
significant content
errors.
Student justifies the
claim that one of the
two theoretical
approaches is
superior by
formulating an
argument with
significant
omissions or flaws.
1
Student does not
explain the political
theories.
Student does not
formulate an
argument about
which approach is
superior.
Score: +_______/8
 Exceeds Expectations: 7-8
 Meets Expectations: 5-6
 Fails to Meet Expectations: 4 and below.
Second Evidence Stream

The LAE assessment tool will be used.
Exceeding expectations will be defined as a student giving an average score across the four
questions of 3.68 – 5.00.
Meeting expectations will be defined as a student giving an average score across the four
questions of 2.33 - 3.67.
Failing to meet expectations will be defined as a student giving an average score across the four
questions of 1 – 2.32.
Approved 9/2011