Program Assessment

Department of Anthropology

Assessment plans for all degree programs in Anthropology

  • Assessment Plan for Minors
  • Assessment Plan for BA in Anthropology
  • Assessment Plan for MA in Anthropology
  • Assessment Plan for Ph.D. Program

Assessment Plan for Ph.D. Program


 Learning Outcomes

  1. Students who graduate with a PhD in Anthropology from UW have professional and specialized training so that they can move into careers in academic or non-academic tracks.
  2. Students who graduate with a PhD in Anthropology from UW will have a dissertation research experience that results in professional publication(s), thereby contributing to the expansion of knowledge.
  3. Students who graduate with a PhD in Anthropology from UW will have practical experience that will promote their movement into professional careers in a reasonable amount of time. 


Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 1

Obj. 1. Doctoral students aided by the dissertation committee set up individualized programs of content courses, ensuring appropriate career track and specialization.

Obj. 2. Students complete college teaching experience, a course in Anthropology's teaching and learning culture, and professionalism course to prepare for possible academic career. Students teach at least one stand-alone course.

Obj. 3. Students complete internship experience, K-12, or public education focus in course on teaching and learning, and professionalism course to prepare for possible non-academic career track.


 Methods of Assessment (1)

  1. Doctoral students create and maintain teaching portfolio with self evaluation, teaching evaluations. Faculty review of all teaching experiences.
  2. Doctoral students create and maintain internship portfolio with self-report, evaluation, agency and supervisor evaluations, etc. Faculty review of all teaching experiences. 

 


Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 2

Obj. 1. Doctoral student engages in dissertation research projects, fieldwork, and laboratory work under supervision of dissertation advisor.

Obj. 2. Students apply for extramural funding, conduct original research, and write at a publishable level.

Obj. 3. Students submit at least 1 paper for peer-reviewed publication before graduation; and present at least one paper at regional/national conference.

 

Methods of Assessment (2) 

  1. Annual dissertation committee assessments of students' progress to discuss student progress in independent research, presentations, publications and the dissertation, and track student involvement in collaborative efforts such as faculty sponsored research and co-authored papers/articles.
  2. Doctoral students create and maintain a research portfolio/archive with research proposals, publications, papers, etc.
  3. Copies of submissions of proposals for funding (from professionalism course) maintained by instructor in course portfolio/archive. 

Time Line:

Discuss and Confirm Learning Outcome 2003-2004
Agree on Measurable Objectives 2003-2004
Determine Assessment Methods and Assign Tasks to Faculty working with Doctoral Students 2005
Create Assessment Schedule 2005
Evaluate Portfolio data 2006-2007 using rubric
Use Data Collected for Program Evaluation 2005-09
Implement Any Changes 2009-13 (includes Faculty with Doctoral Students working as a Committee proposing changes to current curriculum, Department Vote/Discussion at Retreat or Meeting and Monitoring by Department Head or Chair of Graduate committee.)

 

 



 

Assessment Plan for MA in Anthropology

 

 Learning Outcomes

  1. Students who graduate with an MA in Anthropology from UW will be able to explain the content of the "four fields" of Anthropology and their interrelationship in written and oral formats.
  2. Students who graduate with an MA in Anthropology from UW will have a experience in original research.
  3. Students who graduate with an MA in Anthropology from UW will develop skills which foster professionalism as related to their chosen fields. 

 

Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 1

Obj. 1. Students learn basic content of each subfield in at least 1 course.

Obj. 2. Students write a short paper presenting their thesis research and how it relates to the four fields of Anthropology.

Obj. 3. Students demonstrate competence and familiarity with the four fields by presenting their paper and thesis research before the faculty and department.

 

Methods of Assessment

  1. Students demonstrate knowledge of interrelationship of subfields by writing short paper, which is evaluated by a faculty committee using rubric.
  2. Students demonstrate knowledge of subfield content by successful completion of oral presentation as evaluated by a faculty committee using rubric. 

 


Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 2

Obj. 1. Students develop, implement, and complete their own Plan A or B projects.

 

Methods of Assessment

  1. Successful development and completion of Plan A or B projects.
  2. Graduation rates as determined for annual report or data collected for the Graduate School. 

 

Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 3

Obj. 1. Students give at least one lecture in classes for which they are the GA and/or conduct museum and site tours for the general public.

Obj. 2. Students disseminate research results at professional conferences or other professional venues.

Obj. 3. Students gain internship or work experience at federal or state agencies, private companies, or in UW contracts, grants or research.

 

Methods of Assessment

  1. Students write applications for GA positions which reflect on their teaching and research experiences and qualifications reviewed every semester by entire faculty, at which students' past performance and experiences are discussed before positions are assigned.
  2. Students report to advisors about conference presentations and other professional activities which are also recorded in annual report and/or faculty update.
  3. Career tracking information maintained by department head 


Schedule: Information collected throughout the academic year for discussion at the annual retreat each fall.

 

Time Line

Department at retreat or meeting confirms Learning Outcome 2003-2004
Department Confirms Measurable Objectives 2003-2004
Refine Assessment Methods 2005
Create Assessment Schedule and Assign Tasks 2005
Use Data Collected, Review Faculty Proposals for Change 2006-2007
Discuss and Vote on Changes at Retreat or Meeting; Implement and Monitor Any Changes 2007

 

 



 

Assessment Plan for BA in Anthropology 

 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Student demonstrates knowledge about the four fields of anthropology and their interrelationship.
  2. Student participates in a research experience and understands its process.
  3. Student demonstrates ability to analyze and synthesize in relation to anthropological issues or theories.

 

Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 1

Obj. 1. Students learn methods and theories used in each subfield by taking lower and upper division courses in the four fields.

Obj. 2. Students complete class assignments that integrate all four subfields.

 

Methods of Assessment

  1. Students demonstrate knowledge of interrelationship of subfields by rubric in Anthropology 2000. 
 

 

Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 2

Obj. 1. Student participates in a research experience and understands its process.

 

Methods of Assessment

  1. Student research demonstrated in class portfolio in Anth 3310 (required course on quantitative research with individual research papers required). 

 


Objectives Related to Learning Outcome 3

Obj. 1. Student demonstrates ability to analyze and synthesize in relation to anthropological issues or theories.

 

Methods of Assessment

  1. Reflective exercise in Anth 4010 (required capstone - Students describe which anthropological theories best fit their view of culture at the beginning of the course, then assess this early work at the end of the course). 

 


Schedule: Information collected in academic year for discussion at following fall retreat.

 

Time Line

Review, Refine, and Confirm Learning Outcome 2006
Review, Refine and Confirm Measurable Objectives 2006-2007
Create Assessment Schedule 2006
Discuss Data Collected 2006-2007
Refine Assessment Methods and Review Tasks 2008
Implement Any Changes 2007 (Department votes at retreat or meeting after reviewing changes. Curricular issues monitored by Department Head in faculty teaching portfolios and post tenure review.)

 

 


 

Assessment Plan for Minors 

 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students learn sufficient subfield information to complement a variety of disciplines.
  2. Students learn basic methods of the discipline.
  3. Students learn basic theories/types of subfield explanation.

 

Objectives

  1. Students take sufficient coursework to ensure both breadth and depth in the field.
  2. Students have research experiences in their courses.
  3. Students analyze data and its collection.
  4. Students evaluate theories in written assignments.
  5. Students are exposed to a variety of regional contexts.
  6. Students understand the value of subfield for understanding contemporary events and issues by reading, discussion, and writing.

 

Methods

Following revision Minor in Anthropology from four (each subfield) to one (Anthropology) in 2007, the learning outcomes, objectives, and methods of assessment will be developed during the 2007-2008 school year. 

 
Contact Us

Anthropology Department

12th and Lewis Streets

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-5136

Email: anthro@uwyo.edu

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