OATdb Archive

2010 - 2011

Sociology BA

Goal
Apply Core Concepts
The Sociology BA Program provides students with advanced scientific tools so students are able to apply core concepts.

Objective
Apply Core Concepts
Students who complete the Sociology Program will be able to apply the core concepts of the discipline using appropriate methodology. Students will have adequate computer literacy to accomplish this goal

Indicator
Two Sociological Papers--Methodology
Two sociological papers written by each graduating student during the Spring semester of his/her senior year are selected. They are evaluated by a three Faculty Member committee appointed by the Chair. The papers are assigned a combined score from 1 to 5 where one is inadequate knowledge of Sociology and 5 is excellent knowledge of Sociology. Employing their professional expertise in Sociology, Faculty assign a maximum of two points for the theories presented in the papers, a maximum of two points for the methodology employed in the papers, and a maximum of one point for the articulation of the papers. The selection of this indicator responds to disciplinary standards and conforms to contemporary techniques of evaluation research. It was developed in a meeting of the entire faculty in which various options were discussed and critically reviewed.

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
Findings For Applying Core Concepts
Findings: 86 percent of all students performed satisfactorily.

 


Action
Action For Apply Core Concepts
Those who did not performed satisfactorily did not complete most of the assigned readings. These are students who did not spend an adequate amount of time studying. The department plans to increase the requirements to be admitted as a major in the program. A more rigorous selection of students will be carried out


Goal
Understand Core Soc Concepts
The Sociology BA Program teaches students the basic theoretical or core concepts of Sociology.

Objective
Understanding Core Concepts
The Sociology BA program students will demonstrate competence in understanding of the theory or core concepts of the discipline of Sociology. Students will have adequate computer literacy to accomplish this goal

Indicator
Two Sociological Papers--Theory
Two sociological papers written by each graduating student during the Spring semester of his/her senior year are selected. They are evaluated by a three Faculty Member committee appointed by the Chair. The papers are assigned a combined score from 1 to 5 where one is inadequate knowledge of Sociology and 5 is excellent knowledge of Sociology. Employing their professional expertise in Sociology, Faculty assign a maximum of two points for the theories presented in the papers, a maximum of two points for the methodology employed in the papers, and a maximum of one point for the articulation of the papers. The selection of this indicator responds to disciplinary standards and conforms to contemporary techniques of evaluation research. It was developed in a meeting of the entire faculty in which various options were discussed and critically reviewed.

Criterion
Desired Results--Theory
At least 80% of papers should be rated 3 or better on the 5 point scale. Two points may be given in theory.

Finding
Findings For Understanding Core Concepts
86 percent of all students performed satisfactorily.

 


Action
Action For Understanding Core Concepts
Those who did not perform satisfactorily appeared to be weakest in the assigned readings. It seems these are students who did not spend an adequate amount of time studying. As previously stated, the department plans to increase the requirements to be admitted as a major in the program. A more rigorous selection of students will be carried out

 


Goal
Communication Tools
The Sociology BA Program provides students with the tools to be able to communicate scientifically

Objective
Communication Tools
The Sociology 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. Students will have adequate computer literacy to accomplish this goal

Indicator
Two Sociological Papers--Communication
Two sociological papers written by each graduating student during the Spring semester of his/her senior year are selected. They are evaluated by a three Faculty Member committee appointed by the Chair. The papers are assigned a combined score from 1 to 5 where one is inadequate knowledge of Sociology and 5 is excellent knowledge of Sociology. Employing their professional expertise in Sociology, Faculty assign a maximum of two points for the theories presented in the papers, a maximum of two points for the methodology employed in the papers, and a maximum of one point for the articulation of the papers. The selection of this indicator responds to disciplinary standards and conforms to contemporary techniques of evaluation research. It was developed in a meeting of the entire faculty in which various options were discussed and critically reviewed.

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
Findings Communication Tools
86 percent of all students performed satisfactorily

Action
Action Communication Tools
Again, those who did not perform satisfactorily seemed to be weak in knowledge of the assigned readings. When students do not spend adequate time in preparation, they will typically do poorly. More stringent admission requirements will hopefully rectify this difficulty.   



Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement Overall, students who did not perform well had an inadequate knowledge of methodology and theory and could not communicate their knowledge adequately. They did not study enough and well. While it is important that faculty members monitor with greater care the performances of students, it is also important that better students be selected for the major. The department will focus its efforts to select better students and prepare these students better.