LA HARBOR COLLEGE
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) Assessment Report
Course Assessment
Division: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Discipline/Program:
Anthropology
Course Number and Name: ANTHRO 101 Human Biological Evolution
Program Contact Person: Sasha David
Phone: _(310) 233-4577
Reviewed by: Elena Reigadas, former SLO Assessment Coordinator
Date: August 13, 2014
Note: The following SLOs were newly revised during Fall 2013 and Spring 2014, based on a collaborative department effort. This was the
last semester that instructors were given the choice between multiple choice questions or short essays, with questions to be chosen at their
own discretion. Beginning Fall 2014, all assessments in the Anthropology Department will be standardized using a single essay-based
assessment question. The SLOs that were not assessed during Spring 2014 will be assessed during Fall 2014.
Attach additional pages as necessary.
Institutional
Learning Outcomes
2
Course Intended Outcomes
(1) Describe the evolutionary
lineage that led to Homo
sapiens, using the following
species as points of reference:
Australopiths, Homo erectus,
Homo ergaster, Homo
heidelbergensis, and Homo
neandertalensis.
Means of Assessment and
Criteria for Success
Means: Multiple choice or
short essay with questions to
be determined by instructor.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
Summary of Data Collected
Use of Results
1
(2) Describe the anatomical
traits necessary for bipedalism
and explain the significance of
the Laetoli footprints.
Means: Multiple choice or
short essay with questions to
be determined by instructor.
Spring 2014:
N= 187
76% of students scored 70% or
higher
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
1
(3) Describe Darwin’s theory of
natural selection and elaborate
upon the scientific influences
that shaped this theory.
Means: Multiple choice or
short essay with questions to
be determined by instructor.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
1
2
(4) Describe why race is both an
unsound scientific category, and
a valid category of social
experience. Describe
scientifically sound factors that
cause human variation.
Means: Multiple choice or
short essay with questions to
be determined by instructor.
(5) Apply the Punnett Square
methodology in order to predict
genetic outcomes.
Means: Multiple choice or
short essay with questions to
be determined by instructor.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
Spring 2014:
N=187
76% of students scored 70% or
higher
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction.
1
(6) Describe the traits that make
primates unique among Class
Mammalia and the differences
that distinguish between
anthropoids and prosimians.
Means: Multiple choice or
short essay with questions to
be determined by instructor.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
Spring 2014:
N=305
72% scored 70% or higher
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction.
Date: Spring 2014
Note: The following SLOs were newly revised during Fall 2013, based on a collaborative department effort.
Attach additional pages as necessary.
Institutional
Learning Outcomes
2
1
1
Course Intended Outcomes
(1) Describe the evolutionary
lineage that led to Homo
sapiens, using the following
species as points of reference:
Australopiths, Homo erectus,
Homo ergaster, Homo
heidelbergensis, and Homo
neandertalensis.
(2) Describe the anatomical
traits necessary for bipedalism
and explain the significance of
the Laetoli footprints.
(3) Describe Darwin’s theory of
natural selection and elaborate
upon the scientific influences
that shaped this theory.
Means of Assessment and
Criteria for Success
Means: Students will chart
out the evolutionary
connections between these
species and give dates for
this timeline.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
Means: Short essay
explaining the phenotypic
features necessary for
bipedality and the
importance of the Laetoli
findings.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
Means: Short essay in
which students describe the
principles of natural
selection and list which
scientists influenced each
principle.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
Summary of Data Collected
Use of Results
1
2
1
(4) Describe why race is both an
unsound scientific category, and
a valid category of social
experience. Describe
scientifically sound factors that
cause human variation.
(5) Apply the Punnett Square
methodology in order to predict
genetic outcomes.
(6) Describe the traits that make
primates unique among Class
Mammalia and the differences
that distinguish between
anthropoids and prosimians.
Means: Short essay in
which students describe why
race is not “biologically
real” yet very real in a social
sense, and the factors that
produce human variation.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
Means: Students practice
Punnett Squares and
calculate
genotypic/phenotypic ratios
produced by each cross.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
Means: Short essay in which
students list the traits unique
to primates and the
differences between
prosimians and anthropoids.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better.
Date: January 27, 2014
Attach additional pages as necessary.
Institutional
Learning Outcomes
Course Intended Outcomes
Means of Assessment and
Criteria for Success
Summary of Data Collected
Use of Results
1
1
1
1
(1) Describe and explain the
human evolutionary sequence
for the last 7 million years
Means: Short essay
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better according to
Department rubric.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40.
84% scored 70% or better.
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score C or
better.
Measured in Fall 2012. N=83
79% scored 70% or better.
(3) Outline the historical
development of main concepts
of physical (biological)
anthropology.
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Fall 2011. N=101
70% scored 70% or better.
(4) Describe the basis of our
modern evolutionary
(understanding of human
biological variation)
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
86% scored 70% or better.
(2) Describe characteristics of
each of the stages of human
evolution for the last 5 million
years
Measured in Fall 2013. N=216.
59% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction; review analysis
of assessment.
Improve instructional techniques
for teaching the human family
tree, using active learning
methodologies.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction; review analysis
of assessment
Measured in Fall 2010. N=40
75% scored 70% or better.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
80% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction and; review
analysis of assessment
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
85% scored 70% or better.
Measured in Spring 2013. N=113
65% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction; review analysis
of assessment.
1
1
(5) Explain simple mendelian
genetic processes and apply
these to simple cases.
(6) Describe the main points of
the modern synthetic theory of
evolution
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
81% scored 70% or better.
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Spring 2012. N=107
69% scored 70% or better.
Means of Assessment and
Criteria for Success
Summary of Data Collected
Measured in Fall 2013. N=221
62% scored 70% or better.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
82% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction with some
modification; review analysis of
assessment.
Make Punnett Square lessons
active and enjoyable learning
experiences. Help students
understand the mathematical
operations necessary for genetic
prediction calculations.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction with some
modification; review analysis of
assessment
Measured in Fall 2013. N = 243
84% scored 70% or better.
Date: July 1, 2013
Attach additional pages as necessary.
Institutional
Learning Outcomes
1
Course Intended Outcomes
(1) Describe and explain the
human evolutionary sequence
for the last 7 million years
Means: Short essay
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better according to
Department rubric.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40.
84% scored 70% or better.
Use of Results
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction; review analysis
of assessment.
1
1
1
1
(2) Describe characteristics of
each of the stages of human
evolution for the last 5 million
years
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score C or
better.
Measured in Fall 2012. N=83
79% scored 70% or better.
(3) Outline the historical
development of main concepts
of physical (biological)
anthropology.
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Fall 2011. N=101
70% scored 70% or better.
(4) Describe the basis of our
modern evolutionary
(understanding of human
biological variation)
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
86% scored 70% or better.
(5) Explain simple mendelian
genetic processes and apply
these to simple cases.
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
81% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction; review analysis
of assessment
Measured in Fall 2010. N=40
75% scored 70% or better.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
80% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction and; review
analysis of assessment
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
85% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction; review analysis
of assessment.
Measured in Spring 2013. N=113
65% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction with some
modification; review analysis of
assessment
1
(6) Describe the main points of
the modern synthetic theory of
evolution
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Spring 2012. N=107
69% scored 70% or better.
Means of Assessment and
Criteria for Success
Summary of Data Collected
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
82% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction with some
modification; review analysis of
assessment
December 6, 2012
Attach additional pages as necessary.
Institutional
Learning Outcomes
1
1
Course Intended Outcomes
Use of Results
(1) Describe and explain the
human evolutionary sequence
for the last 7 million years
Means: Short essay
Criteria for success: 70% of
students should score a C or
better according to
Department rubric.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40.
84% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction; review analysis
of assessment.
(2) Describe characteristics of
each of the stages of human
evolution for the last 5 million
years
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score C or
better.
Measured in Fall 2012. N=83
79% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction; review analysis
of assessment
Measured in Fall 2010. N=40
75% scored 70% or better.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
80% scored 70% or better.
1
(3) Outline the historical
development of main concepts
of physical (biological)
anthropology.
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Fall 2011. N=101
70% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction and; review
analysis of assessment
1
(4) Describe the basis of our
modern evolutionary
(understanding of human
biological variation)
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
86% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction; review analysis
of assessment
1
(5) Explain simple mendelian
genetic processes and apply
these to simple cases.
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
81% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction with some
modification; review analysis of
assessment
1
(6) Describe the main points of
the modern synthetic theory of
evolution
Means: Ten multiple choice
questions embedded in
quizzes and exams
throughout the semester.
Criteria for success: 70% of
students will score “C” or
better.
Measured in Spring 2012. N=107
69% scored 70% or better.
Continue technique of delivery
and instruction with some
modification; review analysis of
assessment
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
85% scored 70% or better.
Measured in Fall 2009. N=40
82% scored 70% or better.