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University of Wyoming

Student Learning Outcomes

 

UNDERGRADUATE LEARNING OUTCOMES

A Course-Embedded Assessment Mechanism for Measuring Student Learning Outcomes in Sociology
Department of Sociology, University of Wyoming.

·  Students will understand basic concepts and theoretical perspectives in sociology and how they are used in sociological explanations of social behavior

· Students will understand how to collect, analyze, and interpret empirical evidence in sociological research.

· Students will gain familiarity with and develop an understanding of core substantive areas of sociological inquiry.

Responsibility of assessment: Assessment will be done by sociology faculty who teach required sociology courses above the 1000-level (2090, 3700) and in any core sociology course (see list at end of document) each time such courses are taught.

Procedure for course-embedded assessment: Every semester, each Sociology faculty member teaching a required or core course will fill out an assessment form for each sociology major in the class at the end of the course, with the student’s identity kept confidential. The assessment forms will be given to the Sociology secretary to duplicate for the office permanent Assessment files. The Secretary will then give the assessment forms to the Head of the department. The latter will arrange to analyze the information on the forms and discuss results with members of an Assessment committee (membership will rotate in the dept on an annual basis). The Head of the department will then report the discussion/findings to the department. The report should include areas of strength and weakness on the measurable objectives, with suggestions for improvement. 

The assessment criteria are itemized in rubrics of learning outcomes and measured on a 4-point scale: 

0     Unknown
1     Unsatisfactory
2     Satisfactory
3     Very Good

SOCIOLOGY ASSESSMENT SCHEME: GOALS and MEASUREMENTS  


GOAL1. Students will understand basic concepts and theoretical perspectives in sociology and how they are used in sociological explanations of social behavior. 
 

MEASUREMENT
   Unsatis Satis Very Good Unknown
a. Student understands basic concepts such as culture and social structure 1 2 3 UK
b. Student understands the role of theory in building sociological knowledge.  1 2 3 UK
c. Student understands basic theoretical  perspectives and can identify their strengths and weakness. 1 2 3 UK
d. Student can apply sociological theories to substantive topics. 1 2 3 UK
e. Student understands relationship between theory and research.  1 2  3 UK

 

GOAL2. Students will understand how to collect, analyze, and interpret empirical  evidence in sociological research.
 

MEASUREMENT
   Unsatis Satis Very Good Unknown
a. Student understands basic research methods for collecting data. 1 2 3 UK
b. Student can identify strengths and limitations of particular research methodologies 1 2 3 UK
c. Student can design research project. 1 2 3 UK
d. Student has quantitative/stats skills to analyze social data. 1 2 3 UK
e. Student can interpret empirical evidence in sociological research  1 2  3 UK


GOAL3. Students will gain familiarity with and develop an understanding of core  substantive areas of sociological inquiry.
 

MEASUREMENT
   Unsatis Satis Very Good Unknown
a. Student can discuss the basic issues in the substantive area/course 1 2 3 UK
b. Student can discuss the basic concepts and theoretical perspectives of area/course. 1 2 3 UK
c. Student can offer alternative viewpoints on sociological issues. 1 2 3 UK
d. Student can summarize relevant research  in the area/course 1 2 3 UK
e. Student can identify policy implications of research in the area/course.  1 2  3 UK


GOAL4. Students can express sociological ideas clearly  and coherently both in writing and in oral presentations. 
 

MEASUREMENT
   Unsatis Satis Very Good Unknown
a. Student can express ideas clearly and coherently in writing 1 2 3 UK
b. Student can express ideas clearly and coherently in oral presentation.  1 2 3 UK
* Core courses        
 
A.    Society and Inequality
Race and Ethnic Relations
Sociology of Gender
Social Inequality
Sociology of Aging
B.  Social Organization and Processes             
Sociology of Work
Sociology of Organizations
Global Population Issues
Urban Sociology
 C.   Social Institutions
Sociology of Religion
Sociology of Education
Political Sociology
The Family
Sociology of Law
 D.   Individual and Society
Criminology
Juvenile Delinquency
Deviant Behavior
E.   Global Comparative Sociology
Social Change
Sociology of International Development
The World System
Global Political Economy

GRADUATE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Students will develop broad knowledge of the theory and methods of the discipline and in-depth knowledge of a specific area of concentration

2. Students will develop advanced analytical, writing, and oral communication skills

3. Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct original research in a substantive area of sociology