B.A. History graduates will be prepared for successful careers and productive citizenship through high quality instruction in all courses.
Objective
Strong Teaching Faculty
History undergraduate instructors will be rated above the national average on the Individual Development and Educational Assessment (IDEA) instrument.
Indicator
IDEA Student Ratings
History undergraduate students will use the IDEA student evaluations
Criterion
IDEA Ratings
The average adjusted student evaluation of all SHSU History teachers as measured by the IDEA Center will place the History faculty in the top one-third among History teachers in the nation.
Finding
IDEA Student Ratings
During 2007, 75% of the tenure and tenure track History faculty placed within the top one-third of professors nationwide who were accessed by students using the IDEA instrument; 80% placed in the 65th percentile or above among faculty at institutions using the IDEA instrument.
Also in 2007, 85% of the classes taught by History faculty scored above the national average on the IDEA instrument.
Indicator
Students Taught By PhD Faculty
Undergraduate students will be taught by faculty holding the PhD.
Criterion
Students Taught by PhD Faculty
The number and the percentage of history students taught by faculty holding the PhD will exceed the number and percentage of history students taught by faculty holding the PhD during the previous year.
Finding
PhD Teaching Faculty
During 2007-08, 5923 of 7553 History gradate and undergraduate students (78.4%) took classes from History faculty holding the PhD degree. Since 259 of these students were graduate students taught by PhD faculty, the proportion (and percentage) of undergraduates taught by PhD facutly was 5664 of 7294 (77.7%). The total number of undergraduates taught by PhD faculty increased in 2007, although there was no significant change in the % of undergraduates taught by PhD faculty.
Action
Quality of Teaching
The department met all of its benchmarks for successful teaching. No policy changes are needed at this time.
Action
PhD Teaching Faculty
Although the numbers taught by PhD faculty continue to increase, the percentage of students taught by PhD faculty is stagnant. Since the unexpected loss of a PhD faculty contributed to this stagnation, in 2008-09 the department will seek funding for the hiring of a PhD to fill this tenure track position.
Objective
Careers In History
Graduates with undergraduate degrees in History will reach their career objectives.
Indicator
Future Teachers
Teacher education students who major or minor in History will pass the TEXES examination.
Criterion
Future Teachers
80% of all teacher education students who major or minor in History will pass the TEXES examination.
Finding
Future Teachers
During 2007-08, 24 of 38 (63%) history students passed the social studies portion of the TEXES exam for future teachers.
Indicator
Student Professional Growth
The History Department will monitor the professional and career advancement of former history graduates.
Criterion
Student Professional Growth
At least 80% of history students five years after graduation will report on the survey instrument that the degree skills they acquired as a student has enabled them to met their career goals.
Finding
Alum Career Progress
By July 10, 2008, 5 History graduates from the BA Class of 2003 had returned the survey instrument asking 2003 graduates to assess the degree that their training at SHSU (a) prepared them for their post-graduate careers, (b) aided them in their intellectual growth, and (c) helped them in the development of their oral and written communication skills.
60% of the respondents gave the highest possible ratings on each of the three categories; 20% gave the highest ratings in two of the categories, and 20% gave the highest ratings to one of the categories.
Of the 15 total responses to the three categories, 14 were favorable, 0 was unfavorable, and 1 was marked "no opinion."
Indicator
Admission Into Graduate School
History students will have the skills necessary to enter graduate school if they desire.
Criterion
Admission into graduate school
At least one history undergraduate student will be admitted into a graduate or professional school each year
Finding
Graduate School Admissions
At least 4 recent History graduates matriculated into graduate progress during the last year.
Action
Graduate School Admissions
Greater attention needs to be given to ensuring that all graduates who matriculate into graduate schools are included in our reports. During 2008-09, the department will create a committee to study this issue and report its recommendations to the chair.
Action
Alum Career Progress
Although the data from the survey was positive, the sample size was small. In 2008-09, the department will increase the sample size by sending questionnaire instruments to all history majors who graduated between 2004 and 2008.
Action
Future Teachers
Only 63% of SHSU history majors or minors who took the TExES exam successfully passed the exam during 2007. This passing rate does not meet our expectations. Our efforts to address this concern by hiring a tenure track faculty member in 2006 to focus attention on the development of future teachers were delayed when this faculty member took a maternity leave for the 2007-08 year. Efforts need to be made in 2008-09 to readdress this concern. The department will create a study committee to make recommendations for increasing the passing rate of our students with desires to become future teachers.
Objective
Student Skills
History majors will improve their research, writing and critical thinking skills.
Indicator
Student Scholarship
Students through Phi Alpha Theta and other venues will present research findings in non-classroom settings.
Criterion
Student Scholarship
At least once every two years, an undergraduate student will make a scholarly presentation in a non-classroom venue.
Finding
Student Presentations
During 2007-08, at least 4 undergraduate students presented papers at scholarly gatherings outside of the classroom.
Action
Student Presentations
The department met its expectations. No change in departmental policy is needed at this time.
Goal
Image And Exposure
The Department of History will enhance its image and increase its public exposure.
Objective
Student Skills
History majors will improve their research, writing and critical thinking skills.
Indicator
Student Scholarship
Students through Phi Alpha Theta and other venues will present research findings in non-classroom settings.
Criterion
Student Scholarship
At least once every two years, an undergraduate student will make a scholarly presentation in a non-classroom venue.
Finding
Student Presentations
During 2007-08, at least 4 undergraduate students presented papers at scholarly gatherings outside of the classroom.
Action
Student Presentations
The department met its expectations. No change in departmental policy is needed at this time.