To graduate students who are prepared to enter the media marketplace
Objective
Writing Skills
MCOM graduates will demonstrate appropriate writing skills with emphasis given to grammar, structure, organization, clarity, fluency, and style.
Indicator
Assessment By Writing Skills Exam
Students in MCOM 1332 will be tested to assess development of their writing skills over the course of the semester. The initial test will be an essay administered at the beginning of the term, which will be followed by a second essay at the close of the semester. This procedure will allow instructors to assess improvement in writing skills. Students will be expected to demonstrate improvement in grammar, structure, organization, clarity, fluency, and style.
Criterion
Writing Skills Exam In MCOM 1332
At least 80% of students in various sections of MCOM 1332 will score 75 or better (out of 100) on a writing skills exam.
Finding
Writing Skills Assessment
Of two sections of MCOM 1332 that reported results on the writing skills exam, one met projected goals. In this section 80% of students scored 80 or better (out of a possible 100 points) on the second diagnostic exam. One section did not meet projected goals, with 75% of students scoring 80 or better (out of a possible 100 points). Students in the section that did not meet projected goals were weakest in basic grammatical skills.
Action
Continued Assessment Of Writing Skills
Faculty who teach sections of MCOM 1332 will meet to discuss the assessment instrument. Another diagnostic test will be administered next Fall/Spring Semesters. Faculty who are newly assigned to sections of MCOM 1332 will be tutored on successful assessment strategies. MCOM will assign as many sections of MCOM 1332 to one or two veteran faculty members to promote standardization. Faculty will identify students at mid-semester who are struggling with grammar skills and will refer these students to the SHSU Writing Center.
Goal
Knowledge Of Media Law & Ethics
To graduate students who understand the basic concepts of media law and ethics
Objective
Knowledge Of Specific Legal Concepts & Theories
MCOM graduates will demonstrate a working knowledge of legal concepts and theories (First Amendment, copyright, privacy, libel, etc.) as they apply to emerging legal matters specific to the practice of journalism, radio, television, film and public relations.
Indicator
Assessment By Exit Exam--Media Law & Ethics
Graduating seniors in MCOM 4371 will take an Exit Exams. The exam tests students on specific case law and on general principles related to the First Amendment, copyright, privacy and libel. Questions addressed specific precedent cases (Johnson v TX, New York Times v Sullivan) and more general legal issues (free speech, digital copyright, journalistic ethics).
Criterion
Exit Exam -- Media Law & Ethics
At least 80% of the graduating seniors will score 80 or better (out of 100) on the Mass Media Law & Ethics Exit Exam.
Finding
Assessment Of Knowledge Of Media Law
For the third assessment period in a row objectives were met in MCOM 4371. For this period, exactly 80% of graduating seniors scored 80 or better (out of a possible 100 points) on the exit exam. Students were weakest in terms of legal issues applied to the digital environs.
Action
Assessment Of Knowledge Of Media Law & Ethics
In lieu of an Exit Exam, students in MCOM 4371 will be administered a before/after Diagnostic Exam at the beginning of the semester and again at the end of the semester. This exam will focus on the appropriate application of traditional legal concepts to emerging issues in the evolving digital environment. MCOM faculty who teach this class will meet in the Fall Semester to draft a version of the Diagnostic Exam. The Exam will be administered in sections of MCOM 4371 taught in the Spring 2013 Semester.
Goal
Global Media Systems And Information Economies
To graduate students who are familiar with global media systems and information economies
Objective
Knowledge Of Specific Global Concepts & Theories
MCOM graduates will demonstrate knowledge of global media systems and will develop skills to employ concepts and theories in assessing global media systems and different information economies.
Indicator
Assessment By Exam -- MCOM 4393 Global Media
Students in MCOM 4393 will take an assessment exam that measures their knowledge of concepts and theories used to appraise global media systems and information economies.
Criterion
Assessment Exam -- MCOM 4393 Global Media
At least 80% of the students -- combined from two sections of MCOM 4393 -- will score 80 or better (out of 100) on the Global Media Exit Exam.
Finding
Assessment Of Global Concepts & Theories
Ninety-one percent of the students in one section of MCOM 4393 scored 80 or better (out of a possible 100 points) on an assessment exam. In a second section of MCOM 4393, 74% of the students scored 80 or better on the assessment exam. Students in the class who did not meet projected goals appeared to be weak in basic knowledge of global politics and geography.
Action
Adjusting Assessment Of MCOM 4393
Faculty who teach MCOM 4393 in the future will 1) address issues related to global politics and geography at the beginning of the semester and 2) design in-class or online exercises that specifically focus on these two issues. Due to other curriculum changes, MCOM 4393 Global Media will be retired from the MCOM Department's Core Courses. The class will be maintained as an Advanced Elective option. Faculty who teach MCOM 4393 will meet with the Chair of MCOM to discuss how best to migrate the course from the Core to Advanced Elective status.
Goal
Information Processing Development
To graduate students prepared to take professional positions.
Objective
Computer Literacy Skills
MCOM graduates will demonstrate computer literacy skills including database manipulation and web-related research techniques.
Indicator
Assessment By Information Analysis Tests
MCOM majors will demonstrate professional skills related to use of computer software, data base manipulation techniques and Web-related research techniques in MCOM 3330 using common criteria developed by the faculty.
Criterion
Class Project In MCOM 3330
At least 80% of MCOM students in various sections of MCOM 3330 (Information Analysis) will score 80 (out of 100) or better on a class project that requires use of database management, electronic document retrieval and other web-based information-gathering techniques.
Finding
Assessment Of Computer Literacy Skills In MCOM 3330
In one section of MCOM 3330, 75% of the students scored 80 or better (out of a possible 100 points) on a class project. In a second section of MCOM 3330, 71% of the students scored 80 or better. A significant number of students in these two sections of MCOM 3330 submitted incomplete online assignments.
Action
Adjusting Assessment Of Computer Literacy Skills In MCOM 3330
This class has met Objectives in the past. Faculty who taught MCOM 3330 this year will meet to discuss ways to improve the practice of assigning online submissions. Due to other curriculum changes, MCOM 3330 will be retired from the MCOM Department's curriculum offerings by the end of next academic year. Faculty who taught MCOM 3330 in Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 will meet to plan for integrating specific web-based information-gathering practices addressed in MCO 3330 into other media-writing classes in the MCOM Department.