Academic Assessment Program |
Religious Studies Program |
University of Central Arkansas |
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| Statement of Program Purpose |
|---|
| The goal of the religious studies program is to educate the undergraduate student with an understanding of the methods and subject matter of the study of religion. Generally the program will serve the interests of liberal education by developing in the student the skills of careful and critical reading, writing, thinking, and speaking. More specifically, the program will provide (a) a comprehensive and clear exposure to the variety of religious expression world-wide, (b) a critical understanding of personal, social, and cultural dimensions of religion, and (c) a thorough preparation for students who wish to pursue graduate or professional study. |
Most recent assessment report: October 1998
View this plan in PDF format.
| Intended Outcomes/Objectives | Assessment Procedures and Criteria |
|---|---|
| For all assessments, the first two review cycles will establish more specific criteria for success in achieving these objectives. | |
| 1. Students completing the BA in Religious Studies will have a general knowledge of the beliefs and practices of the major world religions, and an in-depth knowledge of at least one major religious tradition. | 1a. Students completing the BA in Religious Studies will take a program-generated test to measure general knowledge of major world religions upon declaring a major, and will take the same test at the conclusion of the senior seminar. Graduating students will have demonstrated a significantly higher level of general knowledge than when they entered the program. 1b. Students completing the BA in Religious Studies will assemble a portfolio of previous work that demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of one major religious tradition. The portfolio will be read and evaluated by the Religious Studies Assessment Committee. On average, students will achieve an above-satisfactory (B grade) or higher evaluation on this criterion. |
| 2. Students completing the BA in Religious Studies will be skilled in the critical analysis of religion as a cultural phenomenon and in the ability to draw connections between different historical and cultural contexts of religion. | 2a, 3a. Students completing the BA in Religious Studies will take the capstone senior seminar and write a senior thesis that demonstrates an in-depth competence in the critical analysis of religion through the use of a specific methodological approach to the study of religion. This thesis will be read and evaluated by the Religious Studies Assessment Committee. On average, students will achieve an above-satisfactory (B grade) or higher evaluation on this criterion. |
| 3. Students completing the BA in Religious Studies will have a general knowledge of different methodological approaches to the study of religion, and an in-depth knowledge of at least one approach. | 2b, 3b. The portfolio (see 1b above) will include work that demonstrates a knowledge of two different historical/cultural contexts of religion, and knowledge of an additional methodological approach to the study of religion. The portfolio will be read and evaluated by the Religious Studies Assessment Committee. On average, students will achieve an above-satisfactory (B grade) or higher evaluation on these criteria. |
4a. Students completing the BA in Religious Studies will demonstrate a high degree of satisfaction with the program and the instruction provided by the program. 4b. Students completing the BA in Religious Studies will be well-prepared for graduate or professional school. |
4a. Students completing the BA in Religious Studies will rate the religious studies program as a 4 or better (on a 5-point scale) on a survey instrument developed by the Religious Studies Assessment Committee. 4b. Religious Studies graduates who go on to graduate or professional school will indicate in post-graduate surveys that they found their preparation more than adequate for their graduate or professional study. |
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