The Department will attempt to maintain and improve the quality of its geography program in terms of curriculum offerings and methods of instruction
Objective
G1 O1
The program will consistently strive to improve the quality of its program by making adjustments to its curriculum as needed.
Indicator
G1 O1 I1
The department will, as needed, seek input from a variety of sources, including Professional Advisory Councils and Student Advisory Councils, and will use that input as the basis for modifying the curriculum.
Criterion
G1 O1 I1 C1
Curriculum will be modified in response to input
Finding
Program Quality
Review utility of formal Advisory Councils
Action
Curriculum modification
New review underway
Objective
G1 O2
The Department will seek to ensure that the quality of our instruction is rated as satisfactory or better by our students
Indicator
G1 O2 I1
The Department uses the IDEA evaluation system as well as peer-evaluation.
Criterion
G1 O2 I1 C1
The scores on the IDEA form (summary score) must be rated consistently as "average" or above, and the peer evaluations must be deemed acceptable by departmental peers.
Finding
Instruction Quality
Ongoing review via IDEA system
Action
Instruction quality
All faculty with at least one course per semester equal to or above middle bar on IDEA
Objective
G1 O3
The department will strive to enhance the quality of instruction through the use of appropriate technology in the classroom and during lab activities.
Indicator
G1 O3 I1
The Department will add and/or maintain teaching equipment, such as dedicated computers, overhead LCD projectors, DVD players, and audio equipment. We added a new remote sensing lab to compliment the GIS lab that was built 5 years ago.
Criterion
Classroom Technology
Pat-time tech departmental support funded
Finding
Classroom Technology
Departmental tech. support withdrawn due to funding. College-based initiative to be proposed.
Action
Classroom technology
OK for present but a College wide tech support is need for future.
Objective
G1 O4
The department will strive to enhance the quality of instruction through the use of field trips
Indicator
G1 O4 I1
The Department will seek to increase the number of field trips offered to our students
Criterion
G1 O4 I1 C1
Four years ago, the department purchased a 15-passenger van and has since made an effort to increase the number of field trips. Also, in 2006, the department offered its first International trip (Geo 475-special topics) to China and Thailand. This trip constituted 3-hours of advanced credit. A second trip to Thailand is planned for 2008. We also developed a 1-hour credt trip during Spring Break Louisiana and Mississippi.
Finding
GEO Field teaching
Both international and domestic trips considered a great success.
Action
GEO Field trips
Great success but need expansion at all levels and venues.
Objective
G1 O5
The department will increase the availability of its courses and its visibility by offering web courses.
Indicator
G1 O5 I1
The Department will add to and/or maintain the number of its web-based courses.
Criterion
G1 O5 I1 C1
In the past 5 years, the department has added web-versions of Geo 265, Geo 369, Geo 471 to its curriculum offerings in addition to those already offered (Geo 131/111 and Geo 161).
Finding
Web Courses
Web course enrollments very strong. Given gas price increases further development may be warranted
Action
Web Courses
Greater than 50 enrolled in all GEO web courses.
Goal
Goal 2 - Understanding of Discipline
Provide students in our geography program with a comprehensive understanding of the range and depth geography.
Objective
G2 O1
Geography students will successfully complete courses that encompass the breadth of the discipline, ranging from cultural geography, to physical and environmental geography, as well as technical courses.
Indicator
G2 O1 I1
Successful completion of major requirements and major electives
Criterion
G2 O1 I1 C1
Majors must maintain a major GPA of 2.0
Finding
Discipline Understanding
More focuses advising has maintained student success. New changed forced on curriculum and new pathways will add a further layer of support and rationalization
Action
Understanding Discipline
Students now have a better balanced coverage of courses. Curriculum modifications will require further "maintenance" monitoring.
Goal
Goal 3 - Professional and Technical Skills
The Department will seek to ensure that our students develop the professional and technical skills needed in order to be successful in their careers.
Objective
G3 O1
The Department will seek modify its curriculum as needed in order to meet this goal. Based on input from our advisory councils and other sources, the department determined that it needed to add the following courses to its curriculum: a) Added Remote Sensing - added 2005 b) Added Computer Cartography - added 2006 c) Hired a new faculty line for purposes of teaching remote sensing and computer cartography d) Proposed a Tourism Geography course in 2007 e) Proposed a Population Geography course in 2007 f) Proposed an Urban Geography course in 2007 g) Proposed a Geospatial Technology course in 2007
Indicator
G3 O1 I1
The success of our program, as defined in terms of the success of our graduates, is measured using an Alumni Survey that is given periodically.
Criterion
P&T Skills
Better feedback from alumni and employer constituencies
Finding
P&T Skills
Advisory Councils discontinued. Substitute inputs from phone and e-mail requests to alumni and employer constituencies substituted as they give information better tailored to program needs. previous Council findings acted on to good effect.
Action
P&T Technical Skills
General survey discontinued. Calls/e-mail to specific cohorts utilized instead. Ongoing