SJSU Annual Program Assessment Form
Academic Year 2013-2014
Department: Anthropology
Program:
College: COSS
Website: < http://www.sjsu.edu/anthropology/>
Contact Person and Email: Marco Meniketti marco.meniketti@sjsu.edu
Date of Report: May 27, 2014
Part A
<In the 2013-14 AY, we would like to establish a baseline for all degree programs on campus, and we ask
that you fill out Items 1 – 5 for all degree programs in your department. In subsequent years, you will
only need to note changes from the baseline year.>
1. List of Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
< The Anthropology Department offers the B.A.in Anthropology and is home department for the B.A.
degree in Behavioral Science. Beginning with the Fall 2014 semester the department will initiate a new
major in Organizational Studies. In addition, the department offers a graduate Master’s program in
Applied Anthropology. The Anthropology department also has three minors; Anthropology, Values,
Technology, and Society, and Native American Studies. There is a degree of overlap in the Program
Learning Outcomes for the undergraduate degrees which facilitates assessment and program
management.
The B.A. in Anthropology has ten specific Program Learning Outcomes (PLO). The B.A. in Behavioral
Science has two specific PLO (as this interdisciplinary program is shared with Psychology and Sociology,
there are additional PLO within those departments respectively, not described here). The M.A. in
Applied Anthropology has seven specific PLO. Each PLO contains related assessment objectives.
Successive cycles of assessment have led the Anthropology Department to develop an Umbrella Model
of thematic research arenas which the structure student learning experience linking three broad
scholarly agendas of the department. The PLO adopted or revised by the Anthropology Department as a
result of previous assessments have been integrated with an interdisciplinary scope designed to fall
under an Umbrella Model. These three operational themes are, Human Adaptability and Material
Culture, Anthropology of Wellness, and Knowledge in Action. Assessment of PLO are guided by the
principles framed by these integrated approaches to the field. Courses are evaluated within the
department by PLO and the Umbrella concept.
Program
PLO
BA Anthropology
Operationalized Assessment Objectives
1. Knowledge. Understanding culture as the
distinguishing phenomenon of human life, and the
relationship between biology and evolution
Ability to analyze a particular social situation as a
sociocultural system.
Ability to analyze a physical trait or behavior,
demonstrating how biology and culture are mutually
interdependent factors.
Ability to frame inquiry around major anthropological
ideas.
Ability to do cross cultural comparisons.
Ability to identify environmental, biological, material,
and cognitive processes related to culture change.
2. Awareness of human diversity and the ways
humans have organized diversity
Ability to identify “race” as a social construct
within the context of human physical variation.
Ability to problematize classification systems.
Demonstrate literacy of world ethnographic,
archaeological, and physical anthropological
studies and findings—a least 10 ethnographies, at
least 10 archaeological sites, and at least 10 major
finds in biological anthropology.
Ability to synthesize information for different
areas of anthropology.
Ability to identify key explanations and individual
thinkers and their contributions to anthropological
thought, and communicate this information.
Describe connections and influences of other
disciplines on anthropology and communicate this
information.
Recognize the larger social and historic contexts
that influence anthropological thought and
practice, and communicate this information.
Ability to identify global social systems, and
analyze historic forces and events that shape
them.
Ability to use maps effectively
Ability to track consequences of population
movements.
Ability to access and use library sources.
Ability to access, evaluate, and appropriately use
internet resources (i.e., census data).
Ability to cite using appropriate formats (American
Anthropological Association or Society for
American Archaeology or comparable style).
Ability to access, evaluate, and critically use public
sources of information.
Ability to analyze social issues from an
anthropological perspective—considering cultural,
3. Knowledge of significant findings of
archaeology, cultural anthropology, and physical
anthropology, and cognizance of the important
issues in each sub-discipline.
4. Knowledge of the history of anthropological
thought and its place in modern intellectual
history.
5.Comprehension of migration, colonialism, and
economic integration as significant phenomenon
shaping global society.
6. Skills. Ability to access various forms of
anthropological data and literature.
7. Awareness of importance and value of
anthropological knowledge in contemporary
society, and the ability to apply it to social issues.
social, and biological perspectives.
Ability to identify and adopt multiple points of
view.
8. Knowledge of the research methods of the sub- Ability to identify anthropological research
disciplines of anthropology, and the ability to apply methods and link methods to particular kinds of
appropriate research methods in at least one sub- inquiry.
discipline.
Demonstrate competency in one methodology.
9. Ability to present and communicate
Develop effective speeches and /or short
anthropological knowledge and the results of
statements that illustrate anthropological
anthropological research to different audiences.
approaches.
Ability to identify, evaluate, and appropriately
gauge different audiences—imagined or
experienced.
10. Professional Values. Knowledge of political
Ability to identify history of ethical engagement in
and ethical implications of social research.
anthropology.
Ability to analyze the relationship of
anthropological inquiry to human values.
Students will perform assignments with academic
integrity.
Use of informed consent, confidentiality, and
human subjects protection in every project.
Program PLO
PLO
1. Provide opportunities (through curriculum) for
students to synthesize the perspectives of the
discipline of anthropology, psychology, and
sociology.
2. Provide opportunities (through curriculum and
projects) to apply the perspectives of the
behavioral sciences to a variety of contemporary
issues and professional settings.
Behavioral Science
Operationalized Assessment Objectives
Ability to synthesize perspectives from the fields of
anthropology, psychology and sociology.
Program PLO
PLO
1. Research methods and models
M.A. Applied Anthropology
Operationalized Assessment Objectives
Understand the range of anthropological research
methods.
Ability to conduct research relevant to problem
solving in various settings for different
clients/partners.
Know basic models of applying anthropology in
different settings and have the skills to function as
practitioners of several models.
Be knowledgeable about (1) the discipline of
anthropology in general and how it contributes to
2. Models of research
3. Knowledge of the discipline
Ability to apply perspectives from behavioral
sciences to a student’s own career plans.
Ability to apply perspectives from behavioral
sciences to social problems.
understanding and improving contemporary
society, and (2) a particular field of anthropology
in greater depth.
Ability to function effectively in at least one
content area or domain of application.
Understand personal, political, and ethical issues
inherent in research and application
Develop professionally as practitioners with skills
in contracting. Project management, and
budgeting.
Ability to communicate about project goals and
findings and the discipline of anthropology to
diverse audiences.
Knowledgeable about the region as a social and
cultural system with complex state, national, and
global connections.
4.Domains of application
5.Professional practices
6.Professional applications
7. Regional and global connections
Program PLO
In development for Academic year 2014-2015
B.A. Organizational Studies
In development
>
2. Map of PLOs to University Learning Goals (ULGs)
<ULG Mapping. Not all PLOs map directly in all categories of ULG. This is to be expected as the ULGs are
addressed across the university in all disciplines and within lower and upper division General Education.
This matrix is based on both evaluation of Department PLOs and specific course content. The
assessment coordinator and the Graduate Program Coordinator provided input. An earlier matrix
derived by the COSS Assessment Committee was modified substantially. The matrix will be reassessed
by the department at the close of the next assessment cycle.
B.A. Anthropology
PLO1
PL02
PLO3
ULG 1
ULG2
X
PLO10
X
X
X
PLO7
PLO9
ULG5
X
PLO6
PLO8
ULG4
X
X
PLO4
PLO5
ULG3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
B.A. Behavioral
Science
PLO1
ULG1
ULG2
X
ULG3
X
ULG4
ULG6
X
PLO2
X
M.A. Applied
Anthropology
PLO1
PLO2
PLO3
PLO4
PLO5
PLO6
PLO7
ULG1
ULG2
ULG3
X
X
X
X
ULG4
X
ULG5
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
.>
3. Alignment – Matrix of PLOs to Courses
< Alignment. To some degree all courses address the department PLO and are assessed through a
variety of instruments. The alignment matrix provided here targets only the primary PLO addressed as
determined by the assessment coordinator. Assessment conducted by the instructors generally consists
of student group projects, exams, major term papers, or more frequently, a series of shorter papers. The
following matrix is a pilot analysis based on an initial triangulation.
Course
Title
PLO BA ANTH
11
Cultural Anthropology
1,2, 3, 6,7
12
Intro. to Human
Evolution
1,2,4,8
13
Archaeology
1,3,4,5,9,10
25
Human Lifecourse in
Context
1,2,6,7
BA BhSc
1,2
1
1,2
1
100W Writing Workshop
3,4,6,9
1
108
Medical Anthropology
1,2,3,8
1,2
109
Kids, Teens, Culture
1,2,3,4
1,2
115*
The Emerging Global
Culture
3,4,5,6,7
122*
Magic, Science and
Religion
1,2
4,7
1,2
125* Urban Anthropology
3,4,6,7,8
1,2
130
Kin, Kith, and
Community
3,4,6,7,9
131
Theories of Culture
7,8,9, 10
1,2
4, 5, 6, 8, 9
1,2
132* Creating Built Worlds
1,2
PLO MA Applied ANTH
Course
136
Title
Thought Control in
Contemporary Society
PLO BA ANTH
3,4,7, 9
BA BhSc
1,2
140* Human Sexuality
1,2, 3
1
142
Culture in Mind
4, 6, 7, 9
1
143
Culture and Adaptation
2, 4,5,6,9
1,2
144
Gifts, Markets and
Money
5,6,7,8,
146
Culture and Conflict
1,2,3,4,5,6
148
Religion and
Anthropology
1,3,6,9
149
Ethnographic Methods
1,3,4,6,10
151
Modernity and Disease
1,4,5,6,9
152
Human Origins
1,2,3,8
153
Human Variation and
Behavior
1,2,3,8
154
Monkeys, Apes and
Humans
1,2,6,8,9
155
Human Osteology
1,2,6
1
156
Bioarchaeology
1,2,8,9
1,2
157
Forensic Anthropology
2,7,8
1
159
Mummies
4,6,8
1,2
160
Reconstructing Lost
Civilizations
1,2,5,6,7
161
Old World Civilizations
3,4,5,6
162
Inca, Aztec, Maya
Civilization
3,4,5,6
164
Prehistory of North
America
2,3,5,6
165
Historical Archaeology
2,4,5,6,7,9
167
Archaeological
Laboratory Methods
6,8,10
168
Archaeological
Methodology
6,8,10
173
Culture Through Film
1,4,7,9
175
Anthropology of Native
America
3,5,6,7
176
Indians of California
3,5,6,7
2
1,2
2
1,2
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1,2
2
2
1,2
2
2
PLO MA Applied ANTH
Course
177
Title
PLO BA ANTH
BA BhSc
PLO MA Applied ANTH
Anthropology of Asia
3,5,6,7,9
2
178 or Anthropology of Latin
179 America or Mexico
3,5,6,7,9
190
Designing Research
6,7,8,9,10
191
Frontiers of
Anthropology
6,7,8,9,10
193
Behavioral Science in
Practice
6,7,8,9,10
230
Theory in Practice
1,2,3,5
231
Applications Core A
1,2,3,6
232
Applications Core B
1,2,3,4,6
233
Fields of Applications
1,2,5,6,7
234
Advanced Research
Methods
2,4,6,7
235
Quantitative Methods
2,4,6
290
Project/Thesis
Supervision
4,6
2
1,2
1,2
1,2
296** Heritage Management
1,2,6,7
.>
4. Planning – Assessment Schedule
< Assessment is a continuous process and a topic of each department faculty meeting. The current
schedule will require minor revision as the new Organizational Studies Major is implemented in the Fall
semester. In as much as the OS program is shared with several other departments, negotiated alignment
of appropriate assessment criteria will be necessary, however, the anthropology department will
directly assess only within those courses offered by the department. Courses are under development
and a new faculty hire is charged with course development in consultation with the assessment
coordinator in order to integrate assessment protocols into the courses at the outset.
B.A. Anthropology
PLO1
PL02
Spring2014
Fall2014
Spring2015
X
X
PLO4
X
PLO5
X
PLO6
X
PLO7
X
PLO8
PLO10
Spring2016
X
PLO3
PLO9
Fall2015
X
X
X
B.A. Behavioral
Science
PLO1
Spring2014
Fall2015
PLO2
Organizational
Studies
PLO1
Spring2014
Spring2015
Fall2015
Spring2016
X
X
X
X
Fall2015
Spring2015
Fall2015
Spring2016
PLO2
Under current development.
M.A. Applied
Anthropology
PLO1
PLO2
PLO3
PLO4
PLO5
PLO6
PLO7
Spring2014
Fall2015
Spring2015
Fall2015
Spring2016
Fall2016
Spring2017
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
.>
5. Student Experience
<Students are made aware of the PLO in syllabi content and through direct communication with faculty
in the classroom. Additionally, the Umbrella Model is articulated on the department website, at the
department main office, and with such promotional materials as posters displayed in the Integrative
Anthropology Laboratory, as well as on the walls in faculty offices. >
Part B
<
6. Graduation Rates for Total, Non URM and URM Students by Program
Note: URM = African-American, Hispanic, and Americam-Indians; Non-URM = White and Asian/Pacific Islander; O
First-time Freshmen: 6 Year
Graduation Rates
Academic Programs
Anthropology
New UG Transfers: 3 Year Graduation
Rates
Fall 2007 Cohort
Fall 2010 Cohort
Grads : 3 Year
Graduation Rates
Fall 2010 Cohort
Entering
% Grad
Entering
% Grad
Entering
% Grad
Total
42
59.5%
79
62.0%
16
50.0%
URM
15
60.0%
28
59.0%
6
50.0%
Non-URM
23
60.9%
40
70.0%
9
55.6%
Other
3
33.3%
5
60.0%
1
0.0%
7. Headcount of Program Majors and New Students by Programs and Degree
Note: 1st Fr. = First-time Freshmen; Transf = Transfer Students; UGs = Undergraduate Students; Creds = Creden
Fall 2013
New Students
Anthropology
1st Fr.
UG Transf
New Creds
1st Grads
UGs
ANTH
79
112
0
14
237
BA
10
35
0
0
237
MA
0
0
0
12
0
Degree
8. SFR (Exhibit 3) and Average Headcount per Section (Exhibit 2) by Course Prefix
Fall 2013
Student to Faculty
Ratio (SFR)
Average
Headcount per
Section
Course
Prefix
Course Level
ANTH Anthropology
Lower Div
41.3
43.4
Upper Div
31.7
29.1
Grad
10.4
12.3
Graduate Division
10.4
4.7
9. Percentage of Full-time Equivalent Faculty (FTEF) for tenured/tenure-track instructional faculty by Department
Fall 2013
Anthropology
% Tenured/Prob
Tenured
Temp Lecturer
Probationary
45.7%
2.458
5.155
1.885
>
Part C
10. Closing the Loop/Recommended Actions
< On the basis of ongoing assessment the Anthropology identified three areas that would best serve
student career goals. These include; more rigorous standards in written communication; broader access
to methods courses for students in Behavioral Science; and curriculum targeting contemporary and
future organizations. One critical outcome is that the department developed and is implementing the
Organizational Studies major for the Fall of 2014. This intra-disciplinary program combines elements of
applied anthropology, with other disciplines to help prepare students for the problem-solving careers of
the future. New faculty have been brought on to address the challenging curriculum shared across
fields.
Writing continues to be a challenge for students as opportunities to engage in written communication
appear to be diminishing across the university. Therefore, the Anthropology department has increased
the presence of written communication in several courses and raised the standards on written work as
well. To assist with student success, students with majors Behavioral Science have been given access to
a wider range of methods courses.
For the Spring semester PLOs 2 and 9 were assessed for the Anthropology program and PLO 1 for the
Masters in Applied Anthropology were evaluated. The objective of assessment was twofold: Are the
elements described in the PLO being included as content in instruction, and in how are students being
assessed for competency. Three courses from the rotation of undergraduate upper-division and one
course from the graduate program were evaluated.>
11. Assessment Data
< Assessment data for this report was gathered from several sources. A process of determining course
and PLO alignment with faculty participation and input was piloted for the spring. Faculty evaluate the
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) of their courses with assessment practices and submit these to the
assessment coordinator who triangulates the CLO, PLO, and ULGs. The most useful element of this
practice is enabling instructors to reflect on how each CLO is assessed during the semester.
Assessment results are that content specific to PLO2 (issues associated with “race”) and PLO9
(communicating concepts) are regularly included in multiple courses ranging from bioarchaeology,
forensics, archaeology, and cultural anthropology. Although no single assessment rubric is applied
across the curriculum, instructors use various effective means for evaluating student progress. Students
have opportunities through mediated class presentations and written assignments to demonstrate
knowledge acquisition and understanding. In two of the classes, students delivered stand-up
presentations supported by technology.
For PLO1 in the Graduate program a single course was used for assessment. In this case the course,
which all graduates in the program must take, is designed to directly address the PLO (research
methods) and alignment was expected. Students produced several group and individual projects
demonstrating knowledge and application of various research methods, and produce a research
proposal. Course content was found in close alignment between PLO and CLO, and consistency with the
Umbrellas of the department. >
12. Analysis
< The CLO/PLO alignment evaluation process is not complete and will not be for several semesters.
Instructors have only been requested to complete the CLO/assessment evaluation for one course per
semester, and only a sample of faculty were asked to participate in the pilot. However, this produced a
significant data set for our small department. The CLO/assessment matrix informs the course instructors
regarding practice and serves to stimulate conversations surrounding instruction within the department.
>
13. Proposed changes and goals (if any)
< The Anthropology Department is implementing a new major with assessment at the heart of curricular
development. PLO are in development. New courses will be designed to fulfill curricular needs.
The department has piloted a CLO/assessment matrix to facilitate evaluating alignment of CLO and PLO.
No other changes are planned and these new developments will be monitored and expanded to include
all instructors over the coming academic year. >