Anthropology
Approved 2-20-04 

The assessment of the anthropology major consists of two separate procedures. These procedures are aimed at the evaluation of the performance of upper class students. The anthropology program graduates 5-15 students each year. These students are the focus of both aspects of the programmatic assessment.

All students are required to take the senior seminar to complete the anthropology major. This course requires upper-class students to deal with theoretical issues in anthropology, to undertake a research project, to write a report, and to engage in classroom discussions of major anthropological issues. Each student in the seminar is evaluated by the instructor on the basis of their performance under each of nine criteria listed as objectives of the anthropology program. This evaluation is completed by the instructor in each seminar taught during the biennium, and includes every graduating student for that period. When the classroom assessment is completed the scores for each of the students under all nine criteria are tabulated. The scores are then the focus of a programmatic meeting in which student performance under each of the criteria are discussed. Faculty then decides on the priorities for program needs and/or changes during the next biennium. The assessment thus includes a relatively objective, quantified evaluation, along with a more subjective discussion of students, their performance and needs, and the structure of the program.

The seminar evaluation of each student involves rating the student on a scale of 1-9 (9 being the best score) under the following criteria, which are based on the program objectives published in the Bulletin (p.66 in 2003-2005 edition).

STUDENT OUTCOMES: Graduates in Anthropology should be able to do the following:

• Exhibit an understanding of the content of anthropology.
• Exhibit an ability to apply the concepts of anthropology to issues relevant to understanding human beings.
• Exhibit an ability to think critically.
• Exhibit an understanding of social research, including the ability to apply research findings to human issues.
• Exhibit an ability to organize ideas, evidence, information and argument.
• Exhibit an ability to use library and/or community resources.
• Exhibit an ability to communicate orally and/or in writing concerning anthropological issues.

Link to Anthropology 445 Project Evaluation Form

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