The Sociology MA Program provides students with the scientific tools to understand the core concepts of the discipline of Sociology and those of one or more specialty areas.
Objective
Methodology Component
Graduate Students who complete the Sociology MA Program will be competent sociologists and will be able to apply the core concepts of the discipline of Sociology.
Indicator
Evaluation Of Methodology
The evaluation of the Graduate Program mirrors that of the Undergraduate Program. However, it is qualitatively more rigorous. The first part of the Evaluation Program (EP) consists of the evaluation of one research paper written by each graduating student in his/her specialty area. The second part of the EP consists of a questionnaire that measures the students' perception of their acquired knowledge of Sociology. Because of the limited number of students this component of the EP has not been implemented yet. However, the Graduate Students who completed the program have all gone on to Doctoral Programs. These indicators are evaluated by a three member committee of the Graduate Faculty appointed by the chair. Employing their professional expertise, the committee evaluates students' papers assigning a maximum of two point for the use of sociological theory, a maximum of one point for the use of methodology and a maximum of two point for the articulation of the student's research. Samples are collected in the Fall and Spring and results evaluated at the end of each Spring semester.
Criterion
Desired Results--Methodology
At least 80% of papers should be rated 3 or better on the 5 point-scale. Two points can be given for methodology.
Finding
Apply Core Concepts, Use appropriate Methodology
100% of the students were able to apply core concepts and use appropriate methodology.
Action
Apply Core concepts
The department will increase interaction between graduate students and faculty, and include more students in faculty research.
Goal
Understand Core Concepts
The Sociology MA Program provides students with the scientific tools to understand the core concepts of the discipline of Sociology and those of one or more specialty areas.
Objective
Theory Component
Graduate Students who complete the Sociology MA Program will be competent sociologists who will be able to use the disciplinary scientific tools (theories).
Indicator
Evaluation Of Theoretical Knowledge
The evaluation of the Graduate Program mirrors that of the Undergraduate Program. However, it is qualitatively more rigorous. The first part of the Evaluation Program (EP) consists of the evaluation of one research paper written by each graduating student in his/her specialty area. The second part of the EP consists of a questionnaire that measures the students' perception of their acquired knowledge of Sociology. Because of the limited number of students this component of the EP has not been implemented yet. However, the Graduate Students who completed the program have all gone on to Doctoral Programs. These indicators are evaluated by a three member committee of the Graduate Faculty appointed by the chair. Employing their professional expertise, the committee evaluates students' papers assigning a maximum of two point for the use of sociological theory, a maximum of one point for the use of methodology and a maximum of two point for the articulation of the student's research. Samples are collected in the Fall and Spring and results evaluated at the end of each Spring semester
Criterion
Desired Results-Theory
At least 80% of papers should be rated 3 or better in the 5 point scale. A paper can be given two points for Theory.
Finding
Use scientific tools (theory)
100% of the students were able to use scientific tools.
Action
Understand Core Concepts
The department will increase interaction between graduate students and faculty, and include more students in faculty research.
Goal
Communicate Results
The Sociology MA Program provides students with the scientific tools to be able to communicate the results obtained through the application of the core concepts of the discipline of Sociology and those of one or more specialty areas.
Objective
Communicate Results
Graduate students who complete the Sociology MA Program will competent and able to communicate the scientific results obtained through the application of the core concepts of the discipline
Indicator
Evaluation Of Communication Skills
The evaluation of the Graduate Program mirrors that of the Undergraduate Program. However, it is qualitatively more rigorous. The first part of the Evaluation Program (EP) consists of the evaluation of one research paper written by each graduating student in his/her specialty area. The second part of the EP consists of a questionnaire that measures the students' perception of their acquired knowledge of Sociology. Because of the limited number of students this component of the EP has not been implemented yet. However, the Graduate Students who completed the program have all gone on to Doctoral Programs. These indicators are evaluated by a three member committee of the Graduate Faculty appointed by the chair. Employing their professional expertise, the committee evaluates students' papers assigning a maximum of two point for the use of sociological theory, a maximum of one point for the use of methodology and a maximum of two point for the articulation of the student's research. Samples are collected in the Fall and Spring and results evaluated at the end of each Spring semester.
Criterion
Desired Results--Communication
At least 80% of papers should be rated 3 or better on the 5 point scale. One point may be given for the articulation of the ideas.
Finding
Communicate Results
100% of students were able to communicate core concepts
Action
Communicate results
The department will increase interaction between graduate students and faculty.