For more information, please contact Dr. John Hajduk | 683-7291 | j_hajduk@umwestern.edu.
The primary objective of the Bachelor of Arts Social Science Option is to establish a multidisciplinary foundation for focused study in one of the related areas offered by the department. Together, the option and a departmental related area are intended to prepare students for entry into graduate or professional programs.
The courses that comprise the Primary Option in Social Sciences investigate the social and cultural factors that affect human activity and institutions. Therefore, students who complete the program will demonstrate an understanding of the impact of socio-cultural contexts exhibited by a range of abilities related to the basic discipline-specific outcomes associated with the core subjects (History, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology).
Discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities:
HISTORY - Graduates learn to think historically, meaning: understanding the importance of chronology in determining cause and effect relationships between events; developing an ability to effectively compare the effects of similar events in different contexts (recognizing how the past and present are connected); and developing the ability to effectively compare and evaluate varied interpretations of the same events or issues. (HIST 452, HIST 456)
POLITICAL SCIENCE - Graduates demonstrate a comprehension of and ability to apply political thinking, defined as the ability to interpret the concepts of government, knowledge, and subjectivity, supported by the use of legal, historical, and sociological evidence to pose and answer questions relating to the distribution and exercise of power as well as the evaluation of how power should be distributed and exercised. (POLS 250)
PSYCHOLOGY - Graduates demonstrate an understanding of social psychology as the scientific study of the thoughts, actions, and interactions of individuals as they are affected by the actual, implied, or imagined presence of others. (PSY 452)
SOCIOLOGY - Graduates demonstrate a comprehension of human groups and how they develop, how they are structured, and how they function. (SOC 425, SOC 450)
Communications skills (especially oral and written):
Students will acquire written and oral communication skills necessary to demonstrate problem-solving and technological skills consistent with the objectives of the Social Science Option. (ANTH/GEOG/HIST/POLS/PSY/SOC 400 OR ANTH/GEOG/HIST/POLS/PSY/SOC 498)
Problem-solving skills:
Students will demonstrate the ability to carry out independent, original scholarly work which will include the ability to: identify and formulate problem statements appropriate to the academic discipline; select matching investigation methods; and collect, analyze and interpret information. (Facione & Facione Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric used on work produced in the following 2 courses: ANTH/HIST/POLS/PSY/SOC 220, ANTH/GEOG/HIST/POLS/PSY/SOC 400 OR ANTH/GEOG/HIST/POLS/PSY/SOC 498)
Assessment of discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities:
HISTORY - Assessment of research skills as demonstrated in course research project. Assessment of these outcomes in relation to the BA program will occur in HIST 452, HIST 456.
POLITICAL SCIENCE- Portfolio assessments will be used in all POLS courses. Data will be tabulated and analyzed longitudinally for each POLS course. Assessment of outcomes in relation to the BA program will occur in POLS 250.
PSYCHOLOGY - Each student will develop a social psychology focused literature review that meets the guidelines of the current APA style handbook. Assessment of outcomes in relation to the BA program will occur in PSY 452.
SOCIOLOGY - Each student will demonstrate academic research skills through a written and presented Research Project. Assessment of outcomes in relation to the BA program will occur in SOC 425 and SOC 450.
SOC 115, Introduction to Sociology - The content of this course is assessed as part of the General Education curriculum. Program faculty propose moving SOC 115 to a required general education course for 2007-08 Social Science students.
Assessment of Communications Skills:
Communications skills will be assessed by means of an internally developed rubric on work produced and presented in the student’s thesis/internship (both written and oral presentation).
Assessment of Problem-Solving Skills:
Problem-solving skills will be assessed by means of an externally developed rubric (Facione & Facione Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric) on work produced in both ANTH/HIST/POLS/PSY/SOC 220 as mid-level assessment, and in the student’s thesis/internship as summative assessment.
Feedback from current students:
Departmental exit survey given at the conclusion of the 400 or 498 course
UMW graduate/exit survey
Mid-point assessment: 3 assignments assessed with a common rubric in the 220 series courses (research methods). Each Social Science student completes one 220 course.
Capstone assessment: thesis in 498 or internship in 400
Feedback from outside constituencies:
Feedback from graduates one year following graduation (beginning with AY 2004-05 graduates)
Feedback from internship supervisor in 400
Evaluation of Teaching:
During fall semester, the VCAA chooses the faculty member's course to be evaluated. Each Social Science faculty member chooses a course during spring semester that s/he wants evaluated by students. Feedback is compiled and shared with the faculty member and VCAA. In addition, each faculty member also has at least one peer evaluation per year.
Curriculum Review:
Each fall, the department will review survey and other data collected from the previous year to determine if changes need to be made in the curriculum, or expectations with respect to our mid-point and capstone courses (and relevant assignments).
Criteria & procedures for admission & retention of students:
Currently, criteria and procedures for admission and retention of Social Science option students parallel the criteria and procedures for admission to UMW, with the additional program requirement of successful completion of ANTH/HIST/POLS/PSY/SOC 220.
Application of Assessment to Improve Teaching:
Each fall, the department will review data collected from the previous year (feedback from recent graduates, graduates following one year of employment or graduate school, employers, and collected exhibits) to determine if changes need to be made in the curriculum, or expectations with respect to our mid-point and capstone courses (and relevant assignments), in relation to the BA: Social Sciences option.
Self-Study or Reports from Program Review:
As part of UMW's systematic academic program review cycle, a self-study of the BA: Social Sciences option will be prepared and completed prior to or during the 2009-2010 academic year. An initial review of the academic program by an external reviewer(s) will occur during the 2010 academic year as well.
Program-Specific Curriculum Development Bodies:
All faculty teaching in the Social Science option area assist with program-specific curriculum development. No other program-specific development bodies exist at this time.