To develop student understanding and utilization of communication theory in all major communication contexts, including the development of critical thinking skills. These contexts include interpersonal and family relationships, small group professional and business situations, and public/media messages. Examples of communication theories include, but are not limited to, expectancy violations theory, social penetration theory, relational dialectics theory, social judgment theory, cognitive dissonance theory, cultivation theory, agenda-setting theory, face-negotiation theory, and standpoint theory.
Objective
Applying Communication Theory
Graduates will be able to apply communication theory to specific communication contexts.
Indicator
Student Application Of Theory
We will measure attainment of Goal 1 through an annual evaluation of a sample of final student term papers in 3300 and 4300 level courses, such as Intercultural Communication, Small Group Communication, Nonverbal Communication, Communication Theory, and Family Communication. The first component of this rubric is Evidence of Understanding of the Applicable Theory or Theories including the Effective Connection of Theory or Theories to Communication Behavior (see Supporting Document attached). The scale for measuring this degree objective will be the same throughout the department's set of objectives for BA/BS students.
Criterion
Student Application Of Theory
An average grade of 3 is the criterion for satisfying the target outcome.
Finding
Student Application Of Theory
Two different sets of student papers (N = 20) were evaluated by faculty members. The combined mean of the evaluations was 4.3.
Indicator
Student Mastery Of Written Composition
The second component of this rubric is Control of the Mechanics of Written Composition (see Supporting Document attached).
Criterion
Student Mastery Of Written Composition
An average grade of 3 is the criterion for satisfying the target outcome.
Finding
Student Mastery Of Written Composition
Two different sets of student papers (N = 20) were evaluated by faculty members. The combined mean of the evaluations was 3.95 (tabled results shown in the attachment for Student Application of Theory).
Action
Application Of Theory
Student application of theory was improved compared to last year. A new measure this year, mastery of written composition, yielded a satisfactory score. However, a review of student papers reveals several areas of writing skill (e.g., paragraphing, sentence structure, usage) which are surprisingly deficient. The faculty will develop and implement a written composition guide for use in its upper level classes.
Goal
Communication Presentations
To train students (majors and nonmajors alike) to make a variety of effective communication presentations in different professional, educational, and social contexts. These presentations include informative and persuasive speeches, group decision making discussions, and interviews.
Objective
Communication Presentations
Graduates will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of oral communication situations
Indicator
Student Presentations
We will measure attainment of Goal 2 first through an annual evaluation of a sample of recorded final student presentations given in such courses as Public Speaking and Speech for Business and the Professions. The components of this rubric include the following: Evidence of Content Mastery and Evidence of Mastery of Delivery including Visual Aids (see Supporting Document attached).
Criterion
Student Presentations
An average grade of 3 is the criterion for satisfying the target outcome.
Finding
Student Presentations
A larger number of student presentations (N = 32) were evaluated this year than in previous years to improve validity of the measure. The mean student score for the presentations was 3.53.
Indicator
Student Speech Outlines
We will measure attainment of Goal 2 secondly through an evaluation of the student speech outlines accompanying the recorded final student presentations. The components of this rubric are adherence to standard outline form and proper reference citation form (see Supporting Document attached).
Criterion
Student Speech Outlines
An average grade of 3 is the criterion for satisfying the target outcome.
Finding
Outlines For Presentations
The mean student score for the presentation outlines was 3.09 (tabled outline scores are included in the attachment for Student Presentations).
Action
Communication Presentations
While scores on student presentations were acceptable, there is clearly room for improvement. The faculty will meet in a workshop setting to discuss ways of raising these scores. Scores on student speech outlines exceeded the criterion only minimally, and inspection of the outlines reveals several areas which need improvement (e.g., full sentence form, formatting details, source citations) and for which the faculty will develop and implement guidelines for the preparation of outlines for use in each class.
Goal
Research And Computer Literacy
To develop student competencies in locating, understanding, assessing, and reporting communication research findings. This includes training in the use of print and electronic database sources and focuses attention on published scholarly research. It also includes training in the use of computer software appropriate for the word processing of reports and the use of online research sources.
Objective
Research And Computer Literacy
Graduates will be able to assess and report the results of communication research found in refereed scholarly journals as well as in electronic and online databases.
Indicator
Student Research And Computer Literacy
We will measure Goal 3 with an annual evaluation of a sample of student papers involving reviews of research literature assigned in such courses as Introduction to Communication Theory and Communication Theory. The first component of this rubric is Evidence of a Comprehensive Knowledge of a Confined Research Area and is the same as for Goal 1 Indicator 1. Included in this rubric is an assessment of each student's mastery of Microsoft Word and the use of Communication Abstracts and similar online databases.
Criterion
Student Research And Computer Literacy
An average grade of 3 is the criterion for satisfying the target outcome.
Finding
Student Research And Computer Literacy
The mean student score for research and computer literacy was 3.7 (see Supporting Document attached).
Indicator
Student Mastery Of Written Composition II
The second component of this rubric is mastery of written communication (see document attached to Goal 1 Indicator 1).
Criterion
Student Mastery Of Written Composition II
An average grade of 3 is the criterion for satisfying the target outcome.
Finding
Student Mastery Of Written Communication II
The mean student score for mastery of written communication II was 3.6 (see Supporting Document for Student Research and Computer Literacy).
Action
Research And Computer Literacy
Student research and computer literacy and mastery of written composition, the latter a new measure this year, show acceptable scores, and the results for this goal are better than for either of the other two goals. However, the faculty will share the writing guidelines developed for Goal 1 with the classes measured for this goal in an effort to improve writing even more.