Assessment Plan
University of Mississippi
Program - Sociology BA
Program - Sociology BA
Program Description or Sociology is the systematic study of human social life. The B.A. in sociology provides students with the basic
Mission: tools of sociological analysis including social research methods (both quantitative and qualitative) and theory.
The curriculum in sociology equips students to more effectively negotiate the diverse society in which we live by
addressing social inequalities such as race/ethnicity, gender, and social class.
Faculty Involvement (2012- Sociology and Anthropology faculty members met to discuss results from the assessment plan. Based on these
2014 or 2013-2015): results, faculty members shared ideas for change and revision for the upcoming cycle of assessment.
Outcome: Knowledge of major theories
Students completing the baccalaureate program in sociology will have knowledge of the major theories found in the discipline.
Outcome Assessment 9/1/2007 - 8/31/2009
9/1/2009 - 8/31/2011
9/1/2011 - 8/31/2013
9/1/2013 - 8/31/2015
Start Date: 09/01/2007
Current Outcome Status: Currently Assessing
Type of Educational Student Learning
Outcome:
Means of Assessment
Assessment Method
Criterion of Excellence
Schedule
Active
Every sociology graduate must take Soc. 468 Sociological
Theory. Using a rubric, a faculty panel will evaluate one of the
short paper assignments to assess students' mastery of basic
theoretical concepts and their ability to communicate these ideas
orally and/or in writing. Using a 5 point scale, with 1 being poor
and 5 being exceptional, the students' papers are evaluated by
the faculty on their understanding of sociological theory, ability to
think analytically, and ability to write clearly, with good grammar.
The criterion for success is that at The assignment will be evaluated Yes
least 60% of the students will
in Fall 2008.
score 3 or above for each factor
on the assessment rubric.
Assessment Method Category:
Embedded Course Assessment
SOC 498 is a new required course for all sociology majors, which The criterion for success will be
allows the department to administer an online assessment exam that at least 60% of the students
created by the department using a test bank of questions
will score a minimum of 75% on
covering theoretical frameworks, research methods, and major the theory module questions on
fields of sociology. This course is a 0 credit hour requirement for their first attempt.
graduation. Students may retake the exam, but only the first
attempt will be used for assessment purposes. SOC 498 cannot
be required for students who graduate under catalogs printed
before 2008. Until then, seniors will be asked to volunteer for this
assessment exam in order to provide assessment data over the
next few years. We will use the theory module to assess this
outcome.
Assessment Method Category:
Comprehensive Examination
The Soc 498 assessment exam Yes
will be administered to graduating
seniors who are sociology majors
in Spring (2008, 2009) and Fall
(2008).
Outcome: Knowledge of research methods
Students completing the baccalaureate program in sociology will have knowledge of the primary methods found in the discipline.
Outcome Assessment 9/1/2007 - 8/31/2009
9/1/2009 - 8/31/2011
9/1/2011 - 8/31/2013
9/1/2013 - 8/31/2015
Start Date: 09/01/2007
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Current Outcome Status: Currently Assessing
Type of Educational Student Learning
Outcome:
Means of Assessment
Assessment Method
Criterion of Excellence
Schedule
Active
SOC 498 is a required course for all sociology majors, which
The criterion for success will be
allows the department to administer an online assessment exam that at least 60% of students will
created by the department using a test bank of questions
score a minimum of 75% on the
covering theoretical frameworks, research methods, and major methods module on the students'
fields of sociology. This course is a 0 credit hour requirement for first attempt.
graduation. Students may retake the exam, but only the first
attempt will be used for assessment purposes. We will use the
methods module to assess this outcome. Note: SOC 498 cannot
be required for students who graduate under catalogs printed
before 2008, but we will ask those students to volunteer to take
the exam.
Assessment Method Category:
Comprehensive Examination
Yes
All sociology majors are required to take Soc. 365 Methods of
Social Research. Using a rubric, a faculty panel will evaluate the
final research paper project in the course. This semester-long
project includes a written paper and a final research
presentation. Using a five point scale with 1 being poor and 5
being exceptional, the student papers are evaluated by the
faculty in terms of 1) rationale for the research question, 2)
explanation of the methods used, and 3) overall presentation of
the data, results and conclusions. Success on the final project is
a good indicator of knowledge of the primary methods found in
the discipline.
Yes
The criterion for success is that at
least 60% of students will score a
3 or better on each of the items
on the rubric.
Assessment Method Category:
Embedded Course Assessment
Outcome: Knowledge of core content areas
Students completing the baccalaureate program in sociology will have knowledge of the core content areas in the discipline.
Outcome Assessment 9/1/2007 - 8/31/2009
9/1/2009 - 8/31/2011
9/1/2011 - 8/31/2013
9/1/2013 - 8/31/2015
Start Date: 09/01/2007
Current Outcome Status: Currently Assessing
Type of Educational Student Learning
Outcome:
Means of Assessment
Assessment Method
Criterion of Excellence
SOC 498 is a required course for all sociology majors, which
allows the department to administer an online assessment exam
created by the department using a test bank of questions
covering theoretical frameworks, research methods, and major
fields of sociology. This course is a 0 credit hour requirement for
graduation. Students may retake the exam, but only the first
attempt will be used for assessment purposes. We will use the
core areas module to assess this outcome. Note: SOC 498
cannot be required for students who graduate under catalogs
printed before 2008, but we will ask those students to volunteer
to take the exam.
Assessment Method Category:
Comprehensive Examination
The criterion for success will be
that at least 60% of the students
will score a minimum of 75% on
the core areas module will be
correct on the students' first
attempt.
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Schedule
Active
Yes
Page 2 of 3
Means of Assessment
Assessment Method
Criterion of Excellence
Schedule
SOC 498 is a required course for all sociology majors, which
The criterion for success is that at
allows the department to administer an online assessment exam least 60% of the students will
created by the department using a test bank of questions
score 3 or above on each of the
covering theoretical frameworks, research methods, and major four items in the rubric for both
fields of sociology. We have added essay questions to this exam essay questions.
to assess the ability of students to communicate in writing their
understanding of basic concepts in the "core areas" of sociology.
Using a rubric, a faculty panel will evaluate two short essays to
assess students' mastery of basic "core areas" concepts and
their ability to communicate these ideas in writing. Using a 5
point scale, with 1 being poor and 5 being exceptional, the
students' essays are evaluated by the faculty on their
understanding of concepts taught in the required inequality
courses and in other upper division Sociology courses. We will
rate the following essay on: 1. Ability to define concepts; 2.
Ability to comprehend concepts (give an example); 3. Ability to
apply concepts; and 4.Ability to analyze concepts
(compare/contrast). This course is a 0 credit hour requirement
for graduation. Students may retake the exam, but only the first
attempt will be used for assessment purposes. Note: SOC 498
cannot be required for students who graduate under catalogs
printed before 2008, but we will ask those students to volunteer
to take the exam.
Assessment Method Category:
Comprehensive Examination
Active
Yes
Outcome: Post-graduation--Student Achievement
Sociology and Anthropology BA graduates will be prepared for employment and/or post graduate educational positions.
Outcome Assessment 9/1/2013 - 8/31/2015
Start Date: 09/01/2013
Current Outcome Status: Currently Assessing
Type of Educational Student Achievement
Outcome:
Means of Assessment
Assessment Method
Criterion of Excellence
The graduating student survey asks students about their postgraduation experience. We will use questions (#21) "they felt
adequately prepared for graduate study in my major field" or
(#22) "was prepared to assume the responsibilities of their
chosen profession" to assess the degree to which students feel
prepared for post-graduate educational positions.
Assessment Method Category:
Survey
At least 70% of student will agree Yearly.
or strongly agree that they are
adequately prepared for post
graduation positions as
measured on each question: #21
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Schedule
Active
Yes
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