Program: Geography (MA)
Degree: Master's
Date: Thu Nov 19, 2009 - 9:43:30 am
1) List your program's student learning outcomes (SLOs).
Our MA program statement includes the following objectives:
"The M.A. is an advanced degree and graduating students are expected to be able to perform according to standards of professionals in the field. The academic objectives of the M.A. degree are as follows:
a. Develop a basic understanding of the discipline of geography as a whole, its relationship with cognate fields, and its contribution to knowledge. This entails a working knowledge of the general literature in geography, and familiarity with the structure of the discipline, including the principal sub-disciplines, the main philosophical approaches and unique geographical concepts.
b. Develop a detailed understanding of at least one specialty within the discipline. This entails thorough knowledge of a particular literature, its major works, its historical development and its main theories and empirical findings.
c. Develop an ability to do independent research of professional quality. This requires gaining theoretical and practical knowledge of specific research techniques and demonstrating this knowledge in the conduct of original research.
d. Develop an ability to communicate the results of research in both oral and written forms. This requires the demonstration of skills in oral presentations and formal papers within the context of graduate course work. The thesis ultimately provides evidence of the ability to write up research and, although a formal presentation and defense is not required, students are strongly encouraged to present their work orally to the department.
e. Develop a familiarity with, and respect for the codes of practice established for academic study, including academic honesty and research ethics (as outlined in the Appendix of the UHM General Graduate and Information Catalog [www.catalog.hawaii.edu/pdf] and the Student Conduct Code in the Schedule of Courses ). All students are expected to conform with these codes of conduct. "
2) Where are your program's SLOs published?
Department Website URL: NA
Student Handbook. URL, if available online: Information Sheet, Flyer, or Brochure URL, if available online: UHM Catalog. Page Number: Course Syllabi. URL, if available online: Other: Graduate Division approved program statement Other: 3) Upload your program's current curriculum map(s) as a PDF.
4) What percentage of courses have the course SLOs explicitly stated on the course syllabus, department website, or other publicly available document? (Check one)
0%
1-50% 51-80% 81-99% 100%5) State the SLO(s) that was Assessed, Targeted, or Studied
6) State the Assessment Question(s) and/or Goal(s) of Assessment Activity
7) State the Type(s) of Evidence Gathered
The masters thesis and the Phd dissertation serve quite well.
8) State How the Evidence was Interpreted, Evaluated, or Analyzed
Informed reading.
The graduate faculty, the students, and perhaps their employers. Of course, the thesis and dissertation documents are all available to the public, so anyone who is so inclined can interpret this evidence.
9) State How Many Pieces of Evidence Were Collected
A complete sample of all completed theses.
10) Summarize the Actual Results
All students completing their theses demonstrated that they had sufficiently
met the objectives.
11) Briefly Describe the Distribution and Discussion of Results
12) Describe Conclusions and Discoveries
13) Use of Results/Program Modifications: State How the Program Used the Results --or-- Explain Planned Use of Results
14) Reflect on the Assessment Process
15) Other Important Information
Report on Assessment - Geography Graduate Program
Prepared by Matthew McGranaghan
1. Has your program developed learning outcomes? If yes, please list.
Our MA and PhD program statements include the following objectives:
"The M.A. is an advanced degree and graduating students are expected to be able to perform according to standards of professionals in the field. The academic objectives of the M.A. degree are as follows:
a. Develop a basic understanding of the discipline of geography as a whole, its relationship with cognate fields, and its contribution to knowledge. This entails a working knowledge of the general literature in geography, and familiarity with the structure of the discipline, including the principal sub-disciplines, the main philosophical approaches and unique geographical concepts.
b. Develop a detailed understanding of at least one specialty within the discipline. This entails thorough knowledge of a particular literature, its major works, its historical development and its main theories and empirical findings.
c. Develop an ability to do independent research of professional quality. This requires gaining theoretical and practical knowledge of specific research techniques and demonstrating this knowledge in the conduct of original research.
d. Develop an ability to communicate the results of research in both oral and written forms. This requires the demonstration of skills in oral presentations and formal papers within the context of graduate course work. The thesis ultimately provides evidence of the ability to write up research and, although a formal presentation and defense is not required, students are strongly encouraged to present their work orally to the department.
e. Develop a familiarity with, and respect for the codes of practice established for academic study, including academic honesty and research ethics (as outlined in the Appendix of the UHM General Graduate and Information Catalog [www.catalog.hawaii.edu/pdf] and the Student Conduct Code in the Schedule of Courses ). All students are expected to conform with these codes of conduct. "
"The PhD is an advanced degree and graduating students are expected to be able to perform according to the standards of professionals in the field. The academic objectives of the degree are rigorous and students are expected to develop the following during their course of study:
* a basic understanding of the discipline of geography as a whole, its relationship with cognate fields, and its contribution to knowledge (this entails a working knowledge of the general literature in geography, familiarity with the structure of the discipline and sub-disciplines, and principal philosophical approaches and concepts);
* a detailed understanding of at least one specialty within the discipline (this entails thorough knowledge of a particular literature, its major works, historical development, main theories and empirical findings);
* an ability to conduct original, independent research of professional quality which requires gaining theoretical and practical knowledge of specific research techniques and demonstrating this knowledge in the conduct of original research;
* an ability to communicate the results of research in both oral and written forms which requires the demonstration of skills in oral presentations and formal papers within the context of graduate coursework (the dissertation ultimately provides evidence of the ability to communicate research);
* a familiarity with and adherence to the codes of practice established for academic study at UHM: Campus Policies (www.catalog.hawaii.edu/about-uh/campus-policies1.htm), Academic Policies (www.catalog.hawaii.edu/grad-ed/academicpolicies.htm), and the Student Code of Conduct (www.hawaii.edu/student/conduct/)."
2. If your program has learning outcomes, where are they published (e.g. department web page)?
Our educational objectives are published in our program statements, which are available in hardcopy and "on line".
3. Do your faculty list course learning outcomes on their syllabi?
Some do. Most consider the narrative and list of topics and readings to be covered in class to be an adequate statement of the expected learning objectives in a graduate course.
4. Does your program have a curriculum map that links course outcomes to program outcomes? If so, please include.
Our degree programs are individually tailored to students. Each individual's "synopsis of program", which is developed by the student and the advisor and reviewed by the Graduate Chair and the Graduate Program Committee, may be construed as a custom "curriculum map".
5. Does your program benchmark or have goals for student performance? ' (e.g. 70% of students will graduate within 5 years)
Our goal is that all students complete their studies in a timely manner. The suggested times are in the program statements.
6. Other than GPA, what data/evidence is used to determine that graduates have achieved stated outcomes for the degree? (i.e., capstone project, class assignment)
The masters thesis and the Phd dissertation serve quite well.
7. Who interprets the evidence of student learning?
The graduate faculty, the students, and perhaps their employers. Of course, the thesis and dissertation documents are all available to the public, so anyone who is so inclined can interpret this evidence.