Planning of Core Outcomes Assessment in Philosophy SAC at PCC
The College Core Outcomes are the broadest set of learning outcomes that we have, and are likely to
be included in the Outcomes for each of the Transfer (AAOT, AS, ASOT-BUS) and General Studies
(AGS) Degrees. For that reason, initial emphasis will be placed on the Core Outcomes.
To complete this Assessment Plan for 2010-2012, please address the questions below, either in this space,
or using the “LDC Worksheet,” or organizing the information in a manner that suits your SAC
Send to: learningassessment@pcc.edu by November 15, 2010; subject line: PLAN Assessment [SAC]
1. List the Core Outcomes that your SAC will assess in the next two years:
2010-11: Communication and _
Cultural Literacy___________
(also assess Critical Thinking if not completed in 2009-10)
2011-12: Self-reflection and ____your choice___________
2. Indicate generally how each of the Core Outcomes will be assessed. Please include
information about the setting (in which course(s) or other setting) the students (all students
or a sample) and the approach (i.e. assignment evaluated with a rubric, pre-post test, etc.).
Communication Outcome Assessment Plan
I. Method of Assessment: Pre-Post Course Writing Exercise
In order to assess the College Core Communication Outcome, the Philosophy SAC will
implement a pre-post course ethical writing exercise in all the PHL 205 Biomedical Ethics sections
during Winter Term 2011. Our goal is to determine if students are better able to communicate using
ethical principles/concepts after taking PHL 205. The demonstration of this ability is identified as one
of the highest forms of communication listed in the core outcomes, where students should be able to
“use written and oral communication in academic, work and personal communication to convey
complex ideas and thoughts in a clear and coherent manner without technical flaws.”
II. Description of Writing Exercise
Directions for Students: Please take five minutes to write a response to the following ethical dilemma.
Try to incorporate ethical concepts and principles in your justification of the action you would take in
the dilemma.
Ethical Dilemma
A friend of yours is struggling to keep up on all of his schoolwork and asks you to complete an
assignment in a course that you have already taken. He is busy working overtime at his job and needs
to complete the coursework for this class by the end of the week or face suspension of his financial aid,
which helps him, as a single parent, support his children.
What would you do in this situation? What ethical justification would you use to support your actions?
III. Evaluation of Writing Exercise
The pre-post writing exercise will be evaluated by instructors by first reading random samples
of students’ responses in order to get a sense of the gradations in the students’ ability to use ethical
principles and concepts in their discussion of the ethical dilemma. Then, instructors will look at each
student’s pre-post exercise to indicate whether there has been an improvement in the complexity,
clearness, and coherence of the language of justification used in supporting the actions that will be
taken in the dilemma. Results will be shared and instructors will discuss the levels of achievement to
ascertain if the current course content could be improved to yield better results.
Cultural Literacy Outcome Assessment Plan
I. Method of Assessment: Pre-Post Course Writing Exercise
In order to assess the College Core Cultural Literacy Outcome, the Philosophy SAC will
implement a pre-post course cultural literacy writing exercise in sample PHL 204 Philosophy of
Religion sections during Winter Term 2011. Our goal is to determine if students, after taking PHL 204,
are better able to explore their own cultural assumptions and acknowledge cultural viewpoints that
are different than their own. The demonstration of this ability is identified as one of the highest
forms of demonstrating cultural awareness as listed in the core outcomes, where students should be
able to “support one’s own cultural assumptions and explain those of others, and assess cultural
perspectives and values different from their own.”
II. Description of Writing Exercise
Directions for Students: Please take five minutes to write a response to the following current issue..
Try to incorporate cultural assumptions and viewpoints in your recommendation of what actions
should be taken in this event.
Current Issue
There is a proposal to build an Islamic Cultural Center and Mosque within a few blocks of Ground
Zero in New York City (site of the 9/11 terrorist attacks). Should religious points of view be taken into
consideration when evaluating building proposal near Ground Zero? If so, should all religious
organizations be prohibited from building a facility there, or just Islamic ones?
III. Evaluation of Writing Exercise
The pre-post writing exercise will be evaluated by instructors by first reading random samples
of students’ responses in order to get a sense of the gradations in the students’ ability to identify and
analyze different cultural assumptions and viewpoints in their discussion of the current issue. Then,
instructors will look at each student’s pre-post exercise to indicate whether there has been an
improvement in the awareness, analysis, and evaluation of cultural assumptions and viewpoints used
in supporting the actions that will be taken. Results will be shared and instructors will discuss the
levels of achievement to ascertain if the current course content could be improved to yield better
results.