SACS Reaffirmation
Spacer
Assessment : 2006 - 2007 : Educational Programs :
Philosophy BA
3 Goals 3 Objectives 3 Indicators 3 Criteria 6 Findings 6 Actions
GOAL: Increase Faculty Size
| Objective | Hire a new philosopher | |
| The Philosophy Program seeks the addition of at least one full-time faculty member whose expertise will allow for expanded course offerings to students. In particular, the program seeks an expert in ethics/social policy. Associated Goals: Increase Faculty Size |
| Indicator | Faculty Hiring Successful negotiation of a contract with a new full-time faculty member. |
| Criteria | Faculty Hiring A new full-time faculty member is successfully hired into the Philosophy Program. |
| Finding | Faculty Hiring The Philosophy Program was successful during its job search. Diana Buccafurni signed a contract accepting a full-time position at SHSU for the 2007-2008 academic year. She is an expert in medical ethics, specifically organ donation and transplant ethics. |
Actions for Objective:
| Action | Faculty Hiring In an effort to ensure the stability and continued long-term development of the Philosophy Program, the program seeks to transition one of its full-time lecturer positions to a tenure-track position. |
GOAL: PHL 261/364/365 Progression
| Objective | PHL 261/364/365 | |
| Students will a acquire general competence in and knowledge of metaphysics, epistemology, and moral theory. This objective relates to the progression of students through the philosophy degree. The program is attempting to measure the success of students in the introductory course, then evaluate the acquisition of advanced knowledge in the upper-level courses. Associated Goals: PHL 261/364/365 Progression |
| Indicator | PHL 261/364/365 Embedded assessment of PHL 361, PHL 364, and PHL 365 courses to measure student learning as they progress through our curriculum. |
| Criteria | PHL 261/364/365 Progression 75% of students in each course will successefully answer at least 70% of the embedded questions. |
| Finding | PHL 261-364 Findings The Philosophy Program met its goal. 85% of PHL 261 students successfully completed at least 70% of the embedded questions concerning ancient philosophy. 95% of PHL 364 students successfully completed the embedded questions concerning ancient philosophy. Not all faculty reported data for all sections of PHL 261. |
| Finding | PHL 261-365 Findings The Philosophy Program failed to achieve this goal. Less than 56% of PHL 261 students and 71% of PHL 365 students met our criterion for success. Not all faculty reported data for all sections of PHL 261. |
| Finding | PHL 261-365 Findings The Philosophy Program failed to achieve this goal. Less than 56% of PHL 261 students and 71% of PHL 365 students met our criterion for success. Not all faculty reported data for all sections. |
Actions for Objective:
| Action | Emphasize Assessment Responsibilities The Philosophy Program must work to ensure that all faculty collect appropriate date for all sections of courses included in our assessment. |
| Action | PHL 261 Actions Instructors in PHL 261 have been asked to review their course content concerning Hobbesian political philosophy. During Fall 2007, the program members will work with each other to identify and implement best practices. |
| Action | PHL 364/364 Actions Instructors in PHL 365 have been asked to review their course content concerning Hobbesian political philosophy. During Fall 2007, the program members will work with each other to identify best practices for implementation during Spring 2008. |
GOAL: PHL 262/362 Logic Progression
| Objective | 262/362 Objective | |
| Students will acquire a general understanding of the application of logic and critical thinking. Associated Goals: PHL 262/362 Logic Progression |
| Indicator | 262/362 Indicator  Embedded assessment of PHL 262 and PHL 362 courses to measure student learning as they progress through our curriculum. |
| Criteria | 262/362 Progression 75% of students in each course will successfully answer at least 70% of the embedded questions. |
| Finding | PHL 262 Findings 73.8% of students surveyed correctly answered at least 70% of the embedded questions. |
| Finding | PHL 362 Findings Results of PHL 362 assessment during 2006-2007. Fall PHL 362: Contemporary Logic Unit III Exam Here is the question relating to the Square of Opposition and Syllogistic Logic 16—7. (a) Using the Traditional Square of Opposition how are contraries related? As part of the explanation, give an example of a pair of contrary statements. (b) In the Traditional Interpretation how are the A and I statements related? (c) Then explain how the Modern Interpretation of the Square of Opposition interprets the Universal Affirmative and Universal Negative statements and give an example of each. (d) Explain the impact of the Modern Interpretation on how contraries are understood. RESULTS: The average score was 11.9 out of 16 possible points with a range from 16 to 6. That translates to 74% as the average score. The data was not reported in a manner that allows direct correlation to the criterion--the faculty member did not gather the correct data, so no conclusions can be drawn. |
Actions for Objective:
| Action | 262 Assessment Philosophy Program response to 2006-2007 assessment of PHL 262 and PHL 362. |
| Action | PHL 362 Action The philosophy program plans to rework the criteria and evaluation for 2007-2008 to ensure that the data provides a more direct indication of whether or not the criteria are met. |