OATdb Archive

2012 - 2013

Sociology, Department Of

Goal
Effective Teaching
The Department of Sociology provides high quality teaching.

Objective
Teaching And Dissemination Of Knowledge
The Department of Sociology provides high quality teaching that disseminates knowledge on social life, social change, and the causes and consequences of human behavior.

KPI
Evaluation Of Faculty Teaching
Each Sociology faculty member will prepare a Sociology Faculty Annual Review Information form that contains his/her academic activities (Research, Teaching and Service). This form will be used to assess faculty production in teaching. A score of 3.0 or more on the Chair’s Rating of Teaching Effectiveness section of the FES Summary Report Form is considered satisfactory. It will be considered satisfactory if 80% of faculty members obtain a score of 3.0 or greater.


Result
Findings: Evaluation Of Faculty Teaching
100% of faculty members received a score of 3.0 or greater on the Chair's Rating of Teaching Effectiveness section of the FES Summary Report Form. Strengths of the faculty included: developing well organized, comprehensive syllabi for all assigned courses; adhering to syllabi; teaching appropriate and relevant materials pertaining to subject matter(s) of courses; adhering to scheduled class meeting times; maintaining appropriate professional demeanor in teaching situations; using fair and appropriate grading practices; participating in the peer-review of teaching process; and, engaging in professional development aimed at improving teaching effectiveness. Weaknesses for a minority of faculty included: maintaining a campus presence and holding appropriate office hours; and, maintaining above-average annual ratings on student teaching evaluations in each class instructed.

Action
Actions: Evaluation Of Faculty Teaching Effectiveness
The Chair meets annually with each faculty member to evaluate his/her teaching effectiveness. Each faculty member’s teaching effectiveness is documented using the Chair’s Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness Rubric. In AY2013, the Chair discussed the weaknesses with the minority of faculty members and suggested ways to remedy the situation. These faculty members were encouraged to maintain a greater campus presence and engage in professional development activities aimed at improving teaching effectiveness.

Goal
Scholarly Research
The faculty will produce high-quality research.

Objective
Scholarly Research
The Faculty will produce high-quality research that investigates the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and how people interact within these contexts.


KPI
Faculty Research Performance
Each Sociology faculty member will prepare a Sociology Faculty Annual Review Information form that contains his/her academic activities (Research, Teaching and Service). This form will be used to assess faculty production in research. A score of 3.0 or greater on the Scholarly and/or Creative Accomplishments section of the FES Summary Report Form is considered satisfactory. It will be considered satisfactory if 80% of faculty members obtain a score of 3.0 or more.


Result
Findings: Evaluation Of Scholarly Research
78% of faculty members obtained a score of 3.0 or greater on the Scholarly and/or Creative Accomplishments section of the FES Summary Report Form. Two faculty members did not meet the minimum research performance standards set by the Department.

Action
Actions: Evaluation Of Scholarly Research
The Chair meets annually with each faculty member to evaluate his/her scholarly and/or creative accomplishments. Each faculty member’s research is documented using the Chair’s Evaluation of Research Rubric. If needed, the Chair will suggest ways to improve research. The Chair discussed ways to improve scholarly research activities with the two faculty members who scored below 3.0.

Goal
Service
Faculty will provide service to the department, university, profession and community.


Objective
Provide Quality Service
Faculty in the Department of Sociology will provide service to the department, university, profession and community. 


KPI
Evaluation Of Faculty Service
Each Sociology faculty member will prepare a Sociology Faculty Annual Review Information form that contains his/her academic activities (Research, Teaching and Service). This form will be used to assess successful completion of service. A score of 3.0 or more on the Service section of the FES Summary Report Form is considered satisfactory. It will be considered satisfactory if 80% of faculty members obtain a score of 3.0 or greater.


Result
Findings: Evaluation Of Faculty Service
89% of faculty members obtained a score of 3.0 or greater on the Service section of the FES Summary Report Form. Strengths of the faculty included service to the department (i.e., attendance/participation in department activities/events, student recruitment, student mentoring, and committee service) and service to the profession (i.e., membership in professional associations, attendance at annual meetings/conferences or professional associations, and completing ad hoc manuscript reviews). Weaknesses for a minority of faculty members included: service to the college (attendance/participation in college activities, such as CHSS Convocation and CHSS Colloquia) and service to the university (attendance/participation in university activities/events, such as University Commencement).

Action
Actions: Evaluation Of Faculty Service
The Chair meets annually with each faculty member to evaluate his/her service activities. Each faculty member’s service is documented using the Chair’s Evaluation of Service Rubric. In AY2013, the Chair discussed the service weaknesses with the minority of faculty members and suggested ways to remedy the situation. These faculty members were encouraged to attend and participate in college and university activities/events.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement The Chair conducted an annual faculty performance review with each faculty member in the Department. The Chair discussed with each faculty member his/her perceived strengths and weaknesses in teaching, research, and service. The Chair commended each faculty member for his/her strengths and discussed ways to improve deficiencies in teaching, research, and service with each faculty member.

Plan for continuous improvement The Chair will monitor each faculty member's teaching, research, and service performance throughout the year. The Chair will conduct an annual faculty performance review with each facutly member to discuss strengths and weaknesses in teaching, research, and service. As needed, the Chair will suggest ways to improve deficiencies in teaching, research, and service. In addition, the assessment process will become more inclusive during the 2013-2014 cycle. Performance indicators for lecturers and pool faculty members in the areas of teaching, research, and service will be added to the assessment. Additional evaluation criteria above and beyond that of the Chair's assessment (e.g., IDEA scores) will be included in 2013-2014 cycle.