The Anthropology department 2015-16 annual assessment report to the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences for the Office of Academic Assessment and Program Review.

Abstract

The department directly assessed Undergraduate SLO 2 (Explain the evolutionary process, particularly as it relates to primate and specifically hominid evolution), SLO 10 (Develop effective communication using anthropological standards), and Graduate SLO 11 (Communicate effectively using anthropological standards) in four different courses via signature assignments. The assessment liaison scored the assignments on a five point scale. Pre and post-test scores in Anth 151 with respect to SLO 2 did not show significant improvement, but pre-test scores in Anth 453 were significantly higher than those in lower division courses, as were the post-test scores in Anth 453 as compared to the pre-test, indicating successful mastery of SLO 2. Assessment of SLOs 10 and 11 indicated that graduate students were writing at a more original level than undergraduates. Plans for 2016-17 include a reassessment of SLO 2 and a realignment of all program SLOs to each of the three Anthropology subfields, both to reduce their number and to facilitate more efficient assessment.