Minnesota State University Moorhead
Communication Studies, Film Studies, and Theatre Arts
Approved 3-21-05  

Overview

Our department is comprised of three majors, Communication Studies, Film Studies, and Theatre Arts. Each has its own set of student learning outcomes, though we share a common set of institutional effectiveness goals (outlined below.) Each graduating senior—in all three majors—will complete the Student Assessment of the Department [PDF].

Institutional Effectiveness Goals

1. The department will offer quality courses required of all students.

2. The department will offer quality elective courses.

3. The department will offer quality co-curricular programs.

4. The department will provide quality teaching.

5. The department will provide quality advising to students.

6. The department will provide knowledge to students about their field.

7. The department will provide quality educational experiences outside the classroom.

8. The department will provide an overall quality experience to students.
    

Communication Studies Assessment Plan

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate foundational knowledge of communication research methods and the role of research in the creation of knowledge.

2. Students will be able to recognize, diagnose, and respond to communication situations using appropriate communication theories and concepts.

3. Students will create effective communication messages in a variety of contexts and situations.

4. Students will effectively present communication messages in a variety of contexts and situations.

5. Students will analyze communication messages in a variety of cultures, contexts and situations.

6. Students will demonstrate the knowledge to successfully manage group environments and/or interpersonal relationships.

Assessment Measures

Three assessment measures are used to evaluate our effectiveness in achieving the student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness goals. The attached grid [PDF]indicates how each learning outcome and goal are assessed and what we expect to achieve.

1. Scenario response paper assigned in the senior seminar course. Assignment and rating instrument are attached.

• For this assignment, students write two pages for each of the three scenarios presented.

2. Senior seminar project. Rating instrument is attached.

• For this assignment, students will work in groups to execute some type of original research project and present their results to the public, in written and oral forms.

3. Student evaluation of the department. Rating instrument is attached at the end of this document. This instrument is used by all three disciplines in the department.
    

Film Studies Assessment Plan

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will utilize three phases (preproduction/production/postproduction) of production preparation in the creation of film and video projects.    

2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of film history, production aesthetics and theory. 

3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic filmmaking practices and techniques. These include: specialized language use, cinematography principles, lighting and sound elements, editing and directing concepts. 

4. Students will examine, analyze, and articulate conclusions as to the historical/critical values inherent in film text materials.

5. Students will integrate evaluation, theory and production/research skills in the creation of a capstone project for public presentation.

Four assessment measures are used to evaluate our effectiveness in achieving the student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness goals. The attached grid [PDF] indicates how each learning outcome and goal are assessed and what we expect to achieve.

Assessment measures include:

1. Portfolio creation and review: Each Film Studies course syllabus will contain specifications about the portfolio and identify the appropriate materials from that course that should be included.  A formal review of the contents of each major’s portfolio will take place twice during their tenure in the major. The preliminary portfolio review will take place at the beginning of the semester immediately after completing a minimum of 20 credits in film studies. The final review will take place during the Senior Seminar course  2^nd semester of the student’s senior year. 

2. Content based examination: This examination would be administered in a pretest/posttest format.  The pretest would be administered as a part of the Film 270: Introduction to Film and Telecommunications studies course. The posttest would be administered as a part of the Film 496: Senior Seminar course. The test design would identify and code specific learning objectives of the course content areas in the Film Studies major. Individual questions could be coded to reflect specific course objects and also be identified to correlate with the specifics of the two emphases, History/Criticism and Film Production. 

3. Senior Thesis project: The senior thesis project will be evaluated as to the merits of it fundamental design and the skill with which it has been executed. Process staged assignments carried out during the Film 402 Practicum (fall term, senior year) will focus the scope of each student’s thesis assignment. Public presentation of the goals and concept for each project will take place during the fall semester. Approval of project concept and design will take place during fall semester. Research/Production process will commence as soon as the approval phase has been completed. The final projects will be presented in a public forum to a group of their peers and faculty near the end of the Film 496: Senior Seminar course. Evaluation of the projects will be based on merits of the students ability to integrate evaluation, theory and production/research skills in the creation of their project. The effectiveness of the public presentation will also be included in the evaluation criteria.  

4. Student evaluation of Department/Program effectiveness [PDF]: The existing eight question instrument would be used to gather data on the overall effectiveness of the department/program.
    

Theatre Arts Assessment Plan

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of theatre history, literature, and dramatic theory, and have an ability to communicate effectively about these topics.

2. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze, design and construct  theatrical scenery, lighting, costumes, sound and props using appropriate tools and technology, and have an ability to effectively communicate about this process.

3. Students will act in a variety of performance styles, and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively their knowledge and understanding of this process.

4. Students will direct for the theatre, and demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate their knowledge and understanding of this process.

Specific Assessments

Specific assessments will be devised each year to address elements of the general Student Learning Outcomes. For example, to address Student Learning Outcome #1 we might use a Specific Assessment such as the following: "Students will effectively write a play analysis paper utilizing dramatic images."  Each Assessment report will identify current Specific Assessments like the sample.

Assessment Method

The Specific Assessment will utilize an assessment form with items on a 1-10 scale, with 10 the best. For example, the following assessment form could be used to evaluate essays in THTR 323 Development of Drama II, as a means of addressing the sample Specific Assessment. Each assessment form will be custom created for each new Specific Assessment.