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Communication Studies
Assessment Report 2005

Overview

This document reports our assessment results for AY 2003 and 2004. Additional data from AY 2002 is also provided in some cases. We also provide a revised plan for AY 2005 and 2006.

Keep in mind when reading this report that our department consists of three distinct disciplines, Communication Studies, Film Studies, and Theatre Arts. This report uses the same assessment methods for all three disciplines. The department currently shares a set of learning outcomes and each area has a set of additional learning outcomes.

Our new plan features three distinct sets of learning outcomes and different assessment methods.

Student Learning Outcomes

Departmental-wide

  1. Communicate competently in both oral and written forms.

  2. Utilize skills, tools, and technology appropriate to their discipline.

  3. Integrate basic concepts between courses and across their discipline.

  4. Gain skills in analytical thinking, problem solving, and inquiry.

  5. Understand the culturally diverse nature of communication, theatre arts, film, and television.

  6. Become ethical professionals.

Speech Communication

  1. Students will create, deliver, and analyze public communication in a variety of contexts and situations.

  2. Students will examine, analyze, and develop critical public performances of aesthetic texts.

  3. Students will demonstrate foundational knowledge of communication theories, the role of theory in the research process, and the process of theory building.

  4. Students will demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the theory building process and analysis of communication in a variety of contexts including interpersonal, intercultural, small group, organizational, health, political, and/or public.

  5. Students will demonstrate the ability to distinguish and criticize different methods of communication research.

  6. Students will utilize tools and technology appropriate to communication studies.

 

Assessment Measures Used

The department used three assessment measures in gathering this data:

  • Portfolio reviews: Student work throughout their career was gathered by advisors and reviewed by at least two faculty members following the student’s graduation. The portfolios were evaluated with respect to the department’s student learning outcomes. Results are presented in Appendices (Speech Communication, Film and Telecommunications, Theatre Arts [PDF]) to this report.

  • Exit interviews: Each graduate was interviewed by at least one faculty member during their last semester. The student’s answers to exit interview questions were rated on a scale of 1-5 with respective to several specific categories. Results are presented in Appendices (Speech Communication, Film and Telecommunications, Theatre Arts [PDF]) to this report.

  • Institutional Effectiveness Measures: Graduating students rated the department on several institutional effectiveness measures. These results are presented as Appendices (Speech Communication, Film and Telecommunications, Theatre Arts [PDF]) in this report.

Speech Communication, Professional Communication (now called Communication Studies) Summary

Communication Studies students performed competently (at least 3.5 out of 5) on each measure of our assessment plan. The department scored highly on its institutional effectiveness measures, as rated by graduating students.  

The following curricular changes have resulted from this assessment report:

  • In order to improve the required courses for the major, we have eliminated the requirement for students to take a Theatre Arts course and have replaced this requirement with a new course, Introduction to Communication Studies. Students will be able to gain early exposure to the discipline and will have a better grounding for their advanced courses.

  • We have added one new elective course, Training and Development. Exit interview discussions indicated that students desired to have more professionally oriented courses. Many students indicated they were seeking a career in training and development, so this course will meet their needs.

  • Although students are performing competently on our student learning outcomes, instructors continue to discuss ways of better integrating material between courses and making assignments that reinforce these learning outcomes. Constant discussion among instructors teaching major courses will lead to an integrated and streamlined learning experience for students.

  • We continue to look for ways of serving students, through advising, service-learning and internship opportunities, and co-curricular activities.


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