Philosophy
Assessment Plan

Links to measures:
    Note:  handouts and other measures not included in the following links can be obtained by contacting the Philosophy Department or else the Assessment Coordinator.

• Senior Portfolio
• Faculty Evaluation of Upper Division Courses
• Student Evaluation of Faculty

I.  Intended student outcomes: 

EXPECTATIONS OF PHILOSOPHY MAJORS: SKILLS AND ABILITIES

I. Reading and Understanding Philosophical Texts

Philosophy Majors should be able to:

1. Identify the main point or points being made in the writing.

2. Determine the main arguments given in support of those points.

3. Accurately paraphrase and summarize (in their own words) materials read.

II. Writing Philosophical Essays

Philosophy majors should be able to:

1. Express their ideas clearly.

2. Organize and structure their essays in a coherent, logical manner.

3. Make clear what their main thesis and arguments are.

4. Define important concepts clearly, and use them consistently with that definition.

5. Use complete, grammatically correct sentences.

6. Present and defend original ideas.

7. Use good arguments to support their conclusions.

8. Avoid using material that is not relevant to the issue being discussed.

9. Avoid inconsistency.

10. Recognize possible objections to their claims and arguments, and respond to such objections.

11. Use original examples to help clarify ideas.

12. Improve essays by re-writing and revision, especially in response to comments from teachers or fellow students.

III. Philosophical Discussion

Philosophy majors should be able to:

1. Keep comments directed to the issues being discussed, and avoid irrelevant material.

2. Show respect for others, and for their opinions.

3. Attempt to correctly understand the opinions of others.

4. Make effective and clear oral presentations.

5. Show willingness to change their mind in reaction to points raised in discussions;

6. Present arguments for their opinions.

7. Have confidence to express and debate ideas.

8. Be more concerned with finding the truth than with scoring points or impressing others.

IV. Philosophical Knowledge

Philosophy majors should know the following:

1. Major figures and developments in the history of Western philosophy: particularly Classical, especially Plato and Aristotle, and Modern Philosophy, especially Descartes and Locke.

2. Major subject areas in philosophy, specifically including ethics and elementary symbolic logic, plus several others (such as philosophy of religion, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of the arts).

3. Some major issues in contemporary philosophy, (e.g., the mind-body problem, deontology vs.consequentialism, free will vs. determinism, etc.).

4. Different approaches to philosophy and alternative philosophical styles, (such as feminism, phenomenology, non-Western philosophy).

V. Evaluating and Constructing Philosophical Arguments

Philosophy majors should be able to:

1. Identify and clearly express conclusions and premises of arguments.

2. Explore the implications of premises and conclusions.

3. Assess the logical strength of arguments.

4. Assess the plausibility of premises.

5. Have a sense of propriety about major vs minor issues in evaluating argument.

6. Compare arguments with alternatives (are there better arguments for the same conclusion? is there a good case for some alternative conclusion?)

7. Recognize and avoid fallacies.

8. Assess the credibility of sources used.

VI. Philosophical Research

Philosophy majors (especially those contemplating graduate study) should be able to:

1. Read and understand philosophical texts independently.

2. Find and use appropriate secondary sources.

3. Use proper scholarly format for writing papers.

4. Prepare bibliographies.

II.  Data sources:

    1. Senior Portfolio.
        Faculty Evaluation of  Portfolio.

     2. Critique sheet for Philosophy for papers.
 
     3. Faculty Evaluation of Upper Division Courses.

     4. Student Evaluation of Faculty:  Standardized Form.

     5. Blue ribbon papers.
 
III.  Explanation: Student outcomes for the major are grouped under six basic categories: reading and understanding philosophical texts, writing philosophical essays, philosophical discussion, philosophical knowledge, evaluation and constructing philosophical arguments, and philosophical research.

Some or all of these categories are assessed by each of the regular data sources.  In the student portfolio (data source #1), each graduating student conducts a self-assessment of the degree to which he or she possesses each of the skills, abilities, and aptitudes identified in the list. Data source #2, the critique sheet, is organized to provide feedback about skills and abilities in the areas of writing philosophical essays, philosophical knowledge, arguments, and research. Data source #3, faculty evaluation of courses, is also organized in terms of the six basic categories; it allows faculty to self-assess advanced courses in terms of our intended outcomes. Data source #4, student evaluations, includes questions relevant to some categories. Data source #5, blue ribbon papers, provides evidence of departmental achievement in the areas of writing essays, philosophical knowledge, arguments, and research.

Results of Data Source #1 (both portfolios and faculty evaluations of them) are kept on file in binders in the Philosophy Department Office; student names are removed from portfolios in this file.

Results of source #2 are to be collected during five-year review self-study. A selection are available for inspection in the Philosophy Department Office.

Results of source #3 are kept by individual faculty so that they can consult them the next time the same course is taught.

Results of sources #4 and #5 are on file in the Philosophy Department, open to inspection by any interested person.

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