The Department of Political Science will provide and maintain high quality academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Objective
High Quality Curriculum
The department will maintain high quality curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
KPI
Curriculum Committee Review
Curriculum will be reviewed annually by the department's curriculum committee, a committee consisting of 5 members appointed by the department chair. Committee members represent the following areas: international relations, comparative politics, American politics, political theory, and public administration.
The political science courses curriculum will be comparable to curriculum found at universities and colleges ranked by US News and World Report as the top 10% universities and colleges for the study of political science and government. The basis of comparison will be in terms of hours required for the degree, the types of courses offered, and the objectives of the courses. By the end of the 2011-2012 academic year, suggestions for the adjustments to the course offerings based on the department's evaluation of the lower division courses will be made, specifically moving the 2000 level courses that are not POLS 2301/2302 to 3000 level.
Result
Curriculum Committee Review
For the academic year 2011-2012, the political science department found that the curriculum is comparable to other colleges and universities ranked in the top 10% by US News and World Report.
The department has surveyed area universities regarding the change to the 2305/2306 core curriculum and are preparing for that switch should the university system opt for the American Government/Texas Politics 6 hour core course curriculum. The department has also voted to move all the other 2000 level courses to the 3000 level and will prepare the documentation necessary for that change in time for the next curriculum committee meeting at the college and university levels.
The department also edited the graduate and undergraduate catalogs to better reflect the content of the courses. The department deleted POLS 3376 (Politics of the Former Soviet States) at the undergraduate level as well as POLS 5386 (Grant Research and Writing) at the graduate level which were deemed outdated for their respective programs.
The department also requested the addition of PADM 5389 Public Management in order to stay current in the MPA discipline as well as streamlined two graduate American politics courses (POLS 5330 and POLS 5331) into one course to better align the one course with the rest of the MA curriculum.
Action
Curriculum Committee Review
The department will revise the curriculum, particularly the introduction of thematic courses in comparative and international relations focusing on democratization, domestic conflict, and identity politics utilizing the POLS 4381 (Special Problems) course.
In the 2012-2013 academic year, the department will evaluate the core course offerings, specifically creating a Texas Politics Course to satisfy the 2305/2306 6 hour sequence. POLS 2301, Introduction to American Politics will be moved to POLS 2305. The remaining 2000 level courses will be moved to 3000 level courses in order to provide additional courses to our majors.
Objective
Faculty Teaching
The Department will provide high quality teaching.
KPI
The Individual Development And Educational Assessment System
Faculty will be evaluated using the data collected through the Individual Development and Educational Assessment system currently used by Sam Houston State University as a tool for evaluating faculty teaching.
In the 2011-2012 academic year, 75% of the political science courses will be scored at or above the national average as identified by the Individual Development and Educational Assessment program. Those faculty members who score below or near the national average on the Individual Development and Educational Assessment program for three consecutive semesters will meet with the department chair to discuss and implement an improvement plan that includes mentoring and use of the Sam Houston State University Professional and Academic Center for Excellence (PACE). The expectation is that scores will improve by .5 on the IDEA scoring scale for the 2011-2012 academic year for those who are identified as under performing.
Result
The Individual Development And Educational Assessment System
We find that 82% (87% adjusted) of the traditional courses in the political science department scored at or above the national average as reported by the Individual Development and Educational Assessment (IDEA) system (see Part 3 of attachment for Fall 2011). This was well above the 75% target. While the raw score was lower than the previous year, the adjusted score exceeded the level of the previous year (84%). The percentage of courses that rated in the higher or much higher categories exceeded the expected distribution of 10% and 20% respectively when viewing the adjusted summary evaluation scores in Part 1 of the attachment for traditional courses (18% and 54%). The average adjusted score of 4.5 (see Part 2) exceeded the national average of 4.1. The high score was maintained from the previous year.
The results of the online courses are also provided in the attachment. The results indicate that 57% (raw) and 71% (adjusted) of the courses scored at or above the national average reported by the IDEA system. In addition, 29% of the courses rated in the higher category, exceeding the expected distribution of 20%. Last, the average score of 4.3 still exceeded the national average of 4.1 in the adjusted summary evaluation score.
Action
The Individual Development And Educational Assessment System
The departmental goal of 75% of the courses will be scored at or above the national average will remain for traditional courses. Faculty who fall below the departmental average will be counseled to meet with the chair and the PACE in an effort to improve teaching. The department's newly adopted FES criteria document (Spring 2011) will be utilized as a guide as well as the peer review of teaching. In the AY 2012-2013, the chair will also conduct a peer review of low-performing faculty.
For the online courses, the department sets a goal of 70% for comparison to the national average. The department will also create an internal survey instrument to administer to online students utilizing Surveymonkey in order to assess online courses and teaching.
Goal
Research Track Faculty
The Department of Political Science will hire and maintain high quality research track faculty.
Objective
Research Track Faculty
Research faculty will engage in scholarly activities.
KPI
Number Of Publications
Research faculty's progress will be measured by the number of publications.
Over a rolling 3-year period research track faculty will produce an average of 1 peer reviewed article per year or 1 book during the 3 year period. The AY 2011-2012 will also include book chapters, substantial book reviews, and grants per year.
Result
Number Of Publications
In order to maintain consistency with the annual FES, the analysis has been recalibrated to reflect calendar years rather than academic years. Thus, the three year period is from 2009-2011.
In the political science department, eight of the 12 tenured or tenure-track research faculty met the criteria of an average of 1 published article (or its equivalent) a year or 1 book during the 3 year period. During the three year period, four of the faculty members published 3 ore more peer-reviewed journal articles with one of these publishing 6 articles. One faculty member published a book. Two faculty members received grants while another faculty member published a review article.
Of the four that did not meet the criteria, one is a newly minted Ph.D. who began at SHSU in the fall of 2011. A second faculty member has an revise and resubmit decision for an article. A third faculty member switched to the research track in 2011-2012 and already has one publication in 2011 and a recent publication in January 2012 (not counted in the analysis).
Two faculty members presented at the CHSS Colloquium and all but one tenure or tenured faculty members presented at academic conferences in the 2011-2012 academic year. The revised FES and departmental promotion and tenure manuals will provide further guidance to research faculty. Like the previous year, we found that providing teaching schedules conducive to research was successful and will be ongoing.
Action
Number Of Publications
The political science department will support research track faculty members by offering teaching schedules that are conducive to their individual research activity. In addition, faculty members will be encouraged to attend academic conferences that will provide valuable feedback in order to facilitate publication submissions and acceptances.
The chair will hold monthly meetings with junior-faculty to provide guidance and accountability regarding research agenda and quarterly meetings with tenured faculty to ensure that faculty members are engaging in research activity.
Goal
Teaching Track Faculty
The Department of Political Science teaching track faculty will provide high quality instruction and engage in substantive projects designed to promote the department, college, and university.
Objective
Teaching Track Faculty
Teaching track faculty will engage in service work designed to promote the department, college, and university.
KPI
Number Of Service Projects Completed Per Year
Teaching track faculty's progress will be measured by the number of service projects completed in a year. Service projects include: membership in college and university committees, participation in department recruitment programs, organizer of major campus events, etc.
We expect our teaching faculty to complete at least 2 service projects per faculty per year. We expect to improve on the 2010-2011 results where two of the four faculty met the criteria and have all faculty members engage in service projects which will include graduate and undergraduate recruitment projects, alumni development projects, and internship development projects.
Result
Number Of Service Projects Competed Per Year
For the AY 2011-2012, the political science department had three faculty members on the teaching track with one of the three serving as a Clinical Professor in the department. All three faculty members contributed to at least one service project, with two meeting the goal of two service projects per year. All provided service to the department (Personnel Committee, Scholarship Committee; Curriculum Committee; DPTAC, Undergraduate Advising), the College (Dean's Advisory Committee; CHSS Undergraduate Advisory Committee; American Studies Committee; EWCAT Committee; CHSS Alumni Advisory Board),the University (Excellence in Teaching Committee; Bearkats Read to Succeed; World Affairs Council; History Pushpin Committee; Race for Life) and the community (Board of Directors of YMCA, Friends of the Wynne; Huntsville Cultural District: County U).
Two of the three faculty members engaged in significant research during the 2011-2012 AY resulting in one article submission, a revise and resubmit decision, two book chapters, and two published articles.
Action
Number Of Service Projects Completed Per Year
While considerable committee work was accomplished, teaching track faculty will be encouraged to engage in more specific projects, specifically taking ownership of projects, such as Family Weekend, Homecoming, and other high profile events in the 2012-2013 AY.
Given the few number of faculty on the teaching track as well as the publishing success of two of the three, the department will investigate alternative measures for teaching track faculty.
Goal
Prepare Students For Professional Careers
Upon graduation students will be prepared to enter the professional marketplace.
Objective
Professional Marketplace
Upon graduation students will be prepared to enter the professional marketplace.
KPI
Professional Market Skills
Due to the inability to implement a mandatory exit survey for undergraduates, the department will initiate a new process to ascertain the placement of graduating seniors (graduate and undergraduate). Beginning in the fall of 2011, the department will identify graduating seniors and ask faculty to conduct anonymous surveys to students in their courses during the normal course evaluation (IDEA). These surveys will be voluntary. The department believes this will provide a better response rate than a voluntary online survey. The same criterion will be utilized, that is, we expect 70% of undergraduates to either have been accepted into a graduate program or obtained professional employment while 70% of graduate students will either have been accepted into a doctoral program or obtained professional employment.
Result
Prepare Students For Professional Careers
The response rate for the in-class exit surveys was roughly 33%. The low response rate is due in part to inconsistent implementation across upper division courses (i.e., not all faculty members remembered to implement the survey). In fall 2012 we will take action to resolved the problem of low response rates.
Action
Professional Marketplace
Beginning fall 2012 a single faculty member will be given the responsibility to enforce the in-class exit surveys (i.e., the faculty member will contact instructors of upper division courses and schedule the in-class exit surveys). We believe having a single faculty member in charge of the process will ensure consistent implementation of the exit survey.
Goal
Improve Graduate Student Applications
Improve the quantity and quality of graduates student applications.
Objective
Improve Graduate Student Applications
The number of students entering the graduate programs will increase and the average GRE and GPA of incoming students will increase.
KPI
Number Of Applications And Average GRE And GPA
We will compare enrollment figures from fall 2010 - spring 2011 and fall 2011 - summer 2012. We will compare the average GRE and GPA of students who entered the program during the fall 2010 - spring 2011 period to the average GRE and GPA of students who entered the program during the fall 2011 - summer 2012 period.
We expect to see a 10% increase in graduate student enrollment overall. We will expect that the average GRE will be at least 1120 or better and that the average GPA will be at least 3.50 or better for both MA and MPA incoming students.
Students admitted under a conditional acceptance plan will go through a more rigorous application process (two writing samples, three letters of recommendation, and an interview with the graduate advisor), thus we expect to see the number of conditional acceptance move to permanent acceptance within one semester.
Result
Improve Graduate Student Applications
The number of applications accepted for F11 - SU12 is 44 (16 MA applications and 28 MPA applications). This represents a 41.9% increase over the previous year. The average GPA and GRE scores for F11 - Su12 applicants are 3.63 and 1227 respectively. The average GPA increased from 3.41 to 3.63 and the average GRE score increased from 1087 to 1227. Thus we exceeded our expectations for enrollment, GPA, and GRE scores.
Action
Improve Graduate Applications
For the coming academic year we expect to see at least a 10% increase in graduate student enrollment. We will also expect to see the average GPA and GRE scores of applicants improve or hold steady at current levels. The main actions for the coming academic year will involve efforts to develop new prospective student recruitment pools for the MA program. Recruitment efforts will target high school and community college teachers. We hope these recruitment efforts will increase the number of applications beyond the minimum expectation of a 10% increase.
Goal
Student Satisfaction
We will measure students' overall satisfaction with the deparment.
Objective
Student Satisfaction
We will improve students' overall satisfaction with the department.
KPI
Student Satisfaction
Due to the inability to implement a mandatory exit survey for undergraduates, the department will initiate a new process to ascertain the placement of graduating seniors (graduate and undergraduate). Beginning in the fall of 2011, the department will identify graduating seniors and ask faculty to conduct anonymous surveys to students in their courses during the normal course evaluation (IDEA). These surveys will be voluntary. The department believes this will provide a better response rate than a voluntary online survey. This survey will include questions regarding professional market placement as well as student satisfaction.
The department will use the same criterion for student satisfaction, that is, at least 70% of both graduates and undergraduates will provide a positive response to the question of overall satisfaction with the department.
Result
Student Satisfaction
The response rate for the in-class exit surveys was roughly 33%. The low response rate is due in part to inconsistent implementation across upper division courses (i.e., not all faculty members remembered to implement the survey). In fall 2012 we will take action to resolved the problem of low response rates.
Action
Student Satisfaction
Beginning fall 2012 a single faculty member will be given the responsibility to enforce the in-class exit surveys (i.e., the faculty member will contact instructors of upper division courses and schedule the in-class exit surveys). We believe having a single faculty member in charge of the process will ensure consistent implementation of the exit survey.
Goal
Revise Written Comprehensive Exam Process
Revise the format and content of the written comprehensive exam process.
Objective
Revise The Written Comprehensive Exam Process
The written comprehensive exam process tends to produce exam questions and exam results that address material in specific courses rather than the broader field of political science and its subfields. We will revise the process so that exam questions and results address the broader field of political science and its subfields thus transitioning from a less course-centric measure to a program-centric measure.
KPI
Comprehensive Exam Reading List And Overview Courses
The department will: (1) Develop reading lists of core literature relevant to the discipline of political science and its subfields. The reading lists addressing the field of political science will be developed and approved by the entire faculty. The subfields reading lists will be developed and approved by faculty with expertise in each specific subfield. (2) Develop overview courses for each subfield of political science.
Result
Comprehensive Exam Reading List And Overview Courses
The Graduate Director and the MPA faculty developed exam reading lists and revised the content of the comprehensive exams. Exam questions now require students to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of their field rather than course specific knowledge. The structure (number of questions, page length, duration of exam, etc.) were also revised to accommodate the needs of students who are full time professionals.
Action
Comprehensive Exam Reading List And Overview Courses
For the coming academic year the graduate director and the MA faculty will meet to discuss making changes to the MA comprehensive exam procedures. These changes will be similar to the changes made in the MPA comprehensive exam procedures: develop comprehensive exam reading lists, revise the content of the comprehensive exams so the exams are less course specific, and make structural changes to adjust to the needs of students who are full time professionals.