Assessment Results Fall 2010
Learning Outcome (1): an ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Performance Criteria
1.1 Communicates effectively in presentations
1.2 Communicates effectively in essay examinations
1.3 Communicates effectively in effective writing activity
Performance Class Achievement Assessment Method Total Number Achieved
Criteria Activity Number Majors Learning
History who Outcome
Majors achieved Y or N
1.1 History Pre-Test/Post- 80% of history majors 10 10 Y
111 Test will score 80% on post
test
1.2 History In-class Group 80% of history majors 1 1 Y
176 Activity and will score 7 (out of 10) on
Presentation faculty evaluation
1.2 History Final Essay 80% of history majors
111 Exam will score 75% or better
on final exam
1.2 History Final Essay 80% of history majors 8 7 Y
112 Exam will score 75% or better
on final exam
1.2 History Final Essay 80% of history majors 4 4 Y
175 Exam will score 75% or better
on final exam
1.2 History Final Essay 80% of history majors 3 2 N
176 Exam will score 75% or better
on final exam
1.3 History Effective 80% of history majors 9 8 Y
10 Writing will score 80% or better
Activity on the activity
The rubric for grading the activity and presentation will include the following:
Thesis: The activity and presentation has a clear central idea
Evidence: The activity and presentation provides evidence in the form of at least two primary
documents to support the thesis
The rubric for grading the final exam will include the following:
Thesis: The essay has a clear central idea
Organization: The essay has a logical sequence
Evidence: The essay has sufficient evidence to support the thesis, preferably reference to
primary sources
Mechanics: The essay features proper spelling and grammar
The rubric for grading the Effective Writing Activity will include the following:
Thesis: the activity has a clear central idea
Evidence: the activity provides evidence from the examples presented in class
Conclusion: the activity summarizes the argument in context of thesis
Learning Outcome (2): an ability to think critically and analyze effectively
Performance Criteria
2.1 Demonstrates understanding of key analytical concepts of historical study
2.2 Composes research paper
Performance Class Achievement Assessment Method Total Number Achieved
Criteria Activity Number Majors Learning
of History who Outcome
Majors achieved Y or N
2.1 History Final 80% of history majors
111 Examination will score 75% or
better on final
examination
2.1 History Final 80% of history majors 8 7 Y
112 Examination will score 75% or
better on final
examination
2.1 History Final 80% of history majors 4 4 Y
175 Examination will score 75% or
better on final
examination
2.1 History Final 80% of history majors 3 2 N
176 Examination will score 75% or
better on final
examination
2.1 History Historiography 80% of history majors 13 11 Y
299 Research Paper will score 75% or
better on research
paper
2.2 History Historiography 80% of history majors 13 10 N
299 Paper will score 80% on
following guidelines
and adhering to due
dates
Rubric for grading the final exam and research paper will include the following:
Demonstrates understanding of cause and effect
Demonstrates understanding of sequence of events
Demonstrates understanding of change over time
Considers the influence of historical context
Develops and communicates own thesis
Identifies conclusions and consequences
Rubric for grading the Historiography Research Paper will include the following
Develops and communicates own thesis
Effectively identifies the thesis of historians
Demonstrates understanding of changes in historical interpretations over time
Understands influence of historical context
Draws conclusions
Follows the step by step process: annotated bibliography, abstract paragraphs, thesis statement,
rough draft and final draft in the prescribed timely manner
Uses proper spelling and grammar
Learning Outcome (3): Problem Solving
Performance Criteria
3.1 Solve problems using disciplinary knowledge and skills in solving critical problems
Performance Class Achievement Assessment Total Number Achieved
Criteria Activity Method Number Majors Learning
of History who Outcome
Majors achieved Y or N
3.1 History Library 80% of history 9 9 Y
10 Detective majors will find
Assignment primary sources
and correctly
answer 80% of
questions
3.1 History Assessment of 80% of history
176 geographic majors will score
knowledge and 75% or better on
role of instructor
environment in evaluated map quiz
history of
United States
through map
quiz
3.1 History Assessment of 80% of history 12 11 Y
112, geographic majors will score
175 knowledge of 75% or better on
European instructor
countries and evaluated map quiz
capitals
Rubric for grading the Library Detective Assignment will include the following:
Find primary sources in the library
Use these primary sources to correctly answer question
Rubric for grading map quiz will include the following:
History 112:
o Identifies countries and their capitals
o Demonstrates understanding of physical relationship of countries to each other
History 176:
o Identifies 50 states, 4 territories, and various possessions, as well as major bodies of
water, mountain ranges, and borders with neighboring nations
o Demonstrates understanding of impact of environment in shaping westward movement
and settlement patterns
Learning Outcome (4): Diverse Environments/Teamwork
Performance Criteria
4.1 Function as team player
Performance Class Achievement Assessment Method Total Number Achieved
Criteria Activity Number Majors Learning
History who Outcome
Majors achieved Y or N
4.1 History Effective writing 80% of history majors 9 9 Y
10 group activity will participate equally
in group work
4.1 History Assessment of 75% of history majors
175/176 primary sources will score 7 (out of 10)
while working on faculty evaluation
within diverse
pool of majors
4.1 History Group 80% of history majors 13 11 Y
299 Presentation will score 75% or
with self- better on instructor
assessment and evaluated team paper
peer evaluations and score 3 (out of 4)
on self-assessment.
90% of team mates
will participate equally
in presentation within
80% of prescribed
time, instructor and
peer evaluated. 80%
of class will score 2
(out of 3) or higher on
team evaluation
rubric.
Rubric for effective writing activity:
Group members identify thesis in sample
Group members select useful evidence
Group members draw conclusions
Rubric for grading group paper and presentation will include the following
Clear thesis regarding the utility of primary sources
Clear argument with evidence in form of primary documents
Drawing conclusions
Team work: must share equally in work load, have equal parts in presentation, and present
within a timely manner
Self-assessment: explain each member’s contributions to the team and presentation
Peer evaluation: assess presentation for presence of thesis, clear argument and evidence
Learning Outcome (5): Professional and Ethical Responsibility
Performance Criteria
5.1 Demonstrates knowledge of code of ethics and applies code to case studies
5.2 Understands ethical models and applies appropriate model to ethical dilemma
5.3 Understands process, purpose and responsibilities within profession
5.4 Assumes responsibility for actions
Performance Class Achievement Assessment Method Total Number Achieved
Criterion Activity Number Majors Learning
History who Outcome
Majors achieved Y or N
5.1 History Thomas 80% of history 9 8 Y
10 Jefferson, Sally majors identify bias
Hemings and acknowledge
exercise understanding of
ethics in history
5.1 History Citation 80% of history 13 4 N
299 Assignment majors will correctly
following cite 80% of sample
discussion of quotes in form of
ethics and footnotes or
plagiarism bibliographical
entries. Instructor
evaluated.
5.2 History In-class 90% of history 13 10 N
299 discussion and majors demonstrate
evaluation of understanding of
examples of plagiarism and
plagiarism consequences by
scoring 80% or
higher on instructor
and peer evaluated
activity.
5.3 History Final Analytical 80% of history 13 13 Y
299 Paper majors demonstrate
through analysis of a
controversial
approach to
historical writing the
correct protocol of
source usage.
5.4 History Attendance, 80% of history 15 10 N
111, 112, assignments majors demonstrate
175, 176, turned in on responsibility and
299 time, meeting pride in their work
with instructor by turning in
assignments on time
that are their own
work, in proper
writing style and
proofread.
Instructor evaluated
5.4 History Maintaining 70% of history 8 8 Y
112 professional majors earn 15
attitude points (all or
throughout nothing) for civil
semester exchanges,
addressing and
signing emails,
turning off their
phones, and not text
messaging.
Instructor evaluated
5.4 History Historiography 85% of history 13 10 N
299 Paper majors must turn in
annotated
bibliography,
abstract paragraphs,
thesis statement and
rough draft on time.
They must meet with
instructor at
assigned time and
use feedback to
improve final paper.
Rubric for grading will include the following
5.1 Thomas Jefferson/Sally Hemings exercise
o Recognize and identify bias in historical records
o Demonstrate understanding of ethics through analysis of bias in primary sources
5.1 Citation assignment
o Understands ethical expectations of profession by reading paragraph examples from
rough drafts and properly cites sources in footnote or bibliography format according to
Chicago Manual of Style
5.2 In-class plagiarism activity
o recognizes plagiarism in sample paragraphs
o demonstrates how to avoid such unethical behavior
5.3 Final analytical paper:
o clear thesis
o demonstrates understanding of using right protocol of sources
o demonstrates understanding of changes over time
o uses proper spelling and grammar
5.4 Attendance
o demonstrates responsibility by attending class regularly
o uses feedback from instructor to improve work
o turns assignments in on time that are neat, own work, written in the proper style, and
proofread.
5.4 Historiography paper
o submits annotated bibliography, abstract paragraphs, thesis statement, rough draft,
final paper on time
o meets with the instructor in person after submission of rough draft
o uses feedback to improve essay
Learning Outcome (6): Awareness of National and Global Contemporary Issues
Performance Criteria
6.1 Ability to identify contemporary issues
6.2 Ability to discuss significance of a contemporary issue
6.3 Ability to place contemporary issues in historical context
Criterion Class Achievement Activity Assessment Method Total Number Achieved
Number Majors Learning
History who Outcome
Majors achieved Y or N
6.1 112, Specific assignments: 75% of history 9 8 Y
176, - 176: USA Patriot Act majors will correctly
299 vs. Espionage/Sedition identify
Act. contemporary issues
112, Specific assignments: 75% of history 9 8 Y
176, - 176: USA Patriot Act majors will be able
299 vs. Espionage/Sedition to discuss the
Act. significance of
contemporary issues
6.3 112, Specific assignments: 75% of history 9 8 Y
176, - 176: USA Patriot Act majors will be able
299 vs. Espionage/Sedition to place
Act. contemporary issues
into historical
context
Rubric for grading History 176 assignment:
Students will correctly identify the Espionage/Sedition Act of 1917/18 and evaluate its
contemporary significance through reading primary document (court case)
Students will correctly identify the USA Patriot Act through internet research and evaluate its
significance in today’s world
Students will contrast and compare these two acts and evaluate positive and negative impact of
both
Learning Outcome (7): Lifelong Learning
Performance Criteria
7.1 Participates in professional and service activities
7.2 Reads professional publications
7.3 Attends seminars, presentations and other events significant to the historical profession
Criterion Class Achievement Assessment Total Number Achieved
Activity Method Number Majors Learning
History who Outcome
Majors achieved Y or N
7.1 --- Present papers at At least one history
local or regional major will attend
conference. and present a
paper at a local or
regional conference
each academic
year.
7.1 --- History Club and 50% of history 59 12
Phi Alpha Theta majors will
membership and participate in
participation History Club and/or
Phi Alpha Theta
7.1 --- Judges in History 10% of history
Day majors serve as
judges during
regional History
Day
7.1 --- Alumni Survey Questions about
post-graduate
learning activities.
20% of history
major graduates
will report some
form of additional
instruction or
training within five
years from
graduation.
7.2 176 Read Professional 75% of history
Book Reviews majors will read
required book
reviews before
writing their own
book review
7.3 111, Attendance 75% of history
112, encouraged at majors will attend 1 1 Y
175, guest lectures and required number of
176, other events. events
299
Rubric for grading will include the following:
7.2 Effectively explains historian’s analysis of assigned book