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Academic Assessment Program	Political Science
University of Central Arkansas

Scroll or click to view assessment plans for the following programs:

BA/BS in Political Science
Departmental Honors in Political Science

Statement of Program Purpose
Grounded firmly in the liberal arts tradition, the Political Science and Public Administration programs are designed to inform students about the place of politics in society. The two programs contribute to student understanding and appreciation of the purposes, organization, and operation of domestic and international political systems. Such a knowledge base will translate to better informed citizens and consumers of political information, as well as enhancing individual political efficacy. By encouraging students to read and write extensively, become familiar with the use of statistics, and to develop their capacity for independent thought, the programs will prepare students for a future where the ability to adapt to ever more diverse environments will be vitally important. A baccalaureate degrees will provide students with a particular disciplinary specialization and knowledge base, allowing for an appreciation of the complexities of knowledge and development of the competencies requisite to independent thought. Further, it provides students with the advanced preparation necessary to success in their professional and/or vocational career choices.

Statement of Program Purpose

Grounded firmly in the liberal arts tradition, the Political Science and Public Administration programs are designed to inform students about the place of politics in society. The two programs contribute to student understanding and appreciation of the purposes, organization, and operation of domestic and international political systems. Such a knowledge base will translate to better informed citizens and consumers of political information, as well as enhancing individual political efficacy. By encouraging students to read and write extensively, become familiar with the use of statistics, and to develop their capacity for independent thought, the programs will prepare students for a future where the ability to adapt to ever more diverse environments will be vitally important. A baccalaureate degrees will provide students with a particular disciplinary specialization and knowledge base, allowing for an appreciation of the complexities of knowledge and development of the competencies requisite to independent thought. Further, it provides students with the advanced preparation necessary to success in their professional and/or vocational career choices.

BA/BS in Political Science

Most recent assessment report: October 1998

View this plan in PDF format.

Intended Outcomes/Objectives	Assessment Procedures and Criteria
1. Students will be prepared for post-graduate and/or professional education.	1a. A portfolio of major course syllabi will be kept and compared with those provided by the American Political Science Association. 1b. When available, the Political Science mean score on the Major Field Achievement Test will be greater than or equal to 150. 1c. [Under revision]
2. Students will have the cognitive skills and knowledge base to become productive members of society in a variety of occupations.	2a. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will indicate their career plans and objectives. 2b. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will indicate whether they believe they have been prepared to enter the job market. 2c. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will indicate whether they believe they have been prepared to enter post-graduate education.
3. Students will develop a greater appreciation for the salience of politics in their lives.	3a. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will "strongly agree" or "agree," at the 90% rate, that they have a greater appreciation of the importance of politics and government in their lives, as the result of the major. 3b. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will "strongly agree" or "agree," at the 90% rate, that they understand political phenomena better, as a result of their major. 3c. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will "strongly agree" or "agree," at the 75% rate, that they are better prepared to engage in political activities, if they choose to do so, as the result of their major.

Intended Outcomes/Objectives

Assessment Procedures and Criteria

1. Students will be prepared for post-graduate and/or professional education.

1a. A portfolio of major course syllabi will be kept and compared with those provided by the American Political Science Association.

1b. When available, the Political Science mean score on the Major Field Achievement Test will be greater than or equal to 150.

1c. [Under revision]

2. Students will have the cognitive skills and knowledge base to become productive members of society in a variety of occupations.

2a. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will indicate their career plans and objectives.

2b. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will indicate whether they believe they have been prepared to enter the job market.

2c. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will indicate whether they believe they have been prepared to enter post-graduate education.

3. Students will develop a greater appreciation for the salience of politics in their lives.

3a. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will "strongly agree" or "agree," at the 90% rate, that they have a greater appreciation of the importance of politics and government in their lives, as the result of the major.

3b. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will "strongly agree" or "agree," at the 90% rate, that they understand political phenomena better, as a result of their major.

3c. In a survey of graduating seniors, respondents will "strongly agree" or "agree," at the 75% rate, that they are better prepared to engage in political activities, if they choose to do so, as the result of their major.

Departmental Honors in Political Science

Intended Outcomes/Objectives	Assessment Procedures and Criteria
1. Those students who choose to write an honor's paper on a Political Science related topic will develop a greater appreciation of the research process, as well as a strong, substantive knowledge of their chosen research topic.	1a. Students will distribute a formal copy of their completed honor's paper to all Political Science faculty for review. 1b. Students will give an oral presentation of their paper before the entire Political Science faculty and will successfully address questions and comments about the paper topic from that faculty. 1c. One hundred percent of the Political Science faculty will vote that the student's paper and oral presentation is "acceptable" for Political Science credit.

Intended Outcomes/Objectives

Assessment Procedures and Criteria

1. Those students who choose to write an honor's paper on a Political Science related topic will develop a greater appreciation of the research process, as well as a strong, substantive knowledge of their chosen research topic.

1a. Students will distribute a formal copy of their completed honor's paper to all Political Science faculty for review.

1b. Students will give an oral presentation of their paper before the entire Political Science faculty and will successfully address questions and comments about the paper topic from that faculty.

1c. One hundred percent of the Political Science faculty will vote that the student's paper and oral presentation is "acceptable" for Political Science credit.

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