Course Outcomes and Assessment Report
Department and course number: Anthro 1L / Contact: Mireille Giovanola(510) 723-6600 X2502 / Date: 2/1/2008
Course SLOs / Assessment Methods* / Criteria for successful performance / Actual performance data / Use of results /
plan of action
1. Use the scientific methodology to evaluate competing hypotheses in Biological Anthropology / A. In-class / team reports on
quantitative analysis (hypothesis
formulation, discussion of results)
B. Testing: (Hands-on) taking measurements on specimens;
assessment of results
C. Applied to other areas – see below / A. 90% of students should earn at least a passing grade on the report
B. 70% of students should earn a C or better on measuring techniques & evaluation of results
C. See below
2. Demonstrate an understanding of inheritance, population genetics, and evolutionary processes by working out genetic problems and discussing results / A. In-class/team work on genetic problems
B. Students’ self-evaluation of their understanding of inheritance and evolution (questionnaire or essay)
C Testing: Problems on Mendelian genetics and Population genetics / A. Class participation and team work (attendance = ½ of course grade)
B. Students’ identification of areas they need to work on (additional work)
C. 75% of students should earn a C or better on Mendelian genetics.
60% of students should earn a C or better on Population genetics
3. Evaluate human biological diversity through the application of forensic analysis to the human skeleton / A. In-class / team identification of age, sex, pathologies/cause of death
B. CSI case studies
C. Testing: (Hands-on) identification of age, sex, pathologies / cause of death / A. Class participation and team work (attendance = ½ of course grade)
B. 90% of students should earn at least a passing grade on “victim” identification
C. 80% of students should earn a C or better on sex / age / cause of death
4. Compare primate anatomy and behavior through the examination of skeletal material and direct observation of primate behavior / A. In-class / team examination and discussion of primate specimens
B. Report on Primate behavior
C. Testing: (Hands-on) identification of specimens / A. Class participation and team work (attendance = ½ of course grade)
B. 100% of students should earn at least a passing grade on the report
C. 80% of students should earn a C of better on specimen identification / A. 3-week module.
A.1. Assessment based on individual attendance & participation:
9/20 attended all 3 labs fully or partially (85-100% attendance)
10/20 attended 2 out of 3 labs fully or partially (55-66% attendance)
1/20 attended 1 lab (33% attendance)
A.2. Assessment based on overall attendance in any one lab:
1st week: 90% (19/20; some late)
2nd week: 73% (15/20; some late)
3rd week: 69% (14/20; some late)
B. 16/20 students went to the zoo & submitted a report, or wrote an essay on an assigned video. All earned at least 8/10 points (B or better)
C. 90% (18/20) of students earned at least 28/50 points = C or better / A. Monitor trend
Note: Students may
miss up to 2 labs
without losing
attendance points
B. Objective met
for students who
submitted report /
written assignment
C. Objective met
5. Discuss the importance and timing of human adaptations through the examination of fossil replicas / A. In class / team examination a and discussion of fossil specimens
B. Testing: (Hands-on) identification of specimens / A. Class participation and team work (attendance – ½ of course grade)
B. 80% of students should earn a C or better on specimen identification / A. 4-week module.
A.1. Assessment based on individual attendance and participation:
8/19 attended all 4 labs fully or partially (85-100% attendance)
9/19 attended 3 out of 4 labs fully or partially (70-75% attendance)
1/19 attended 2 out of 4 labs (50% attendance)
1/19 attended 0 out of 4 labs (0% attendance)
A.2. Assessment based on overall attendance in any one lab:
1st week: 77% (15/19; some late)
2nd week: 84% (17/19; some partial)
3rd week: 78.5% (15/19; some late)
4th week: 78% (15/19; some late)
B. 88.89% (16/18) of students earned at least 32/50 points = C or better
Note: 17 took the test; 1 did not show up = marked as 0; 1 asked for an Incomplete; 1 had withdrawn prior to the test. / A. Monitor trend.
Note: Students may
Miss up to 2 labs
without losing
attendance points
B. Objective met
* Please attach examples of your assessment tools (e.g. assignments, grading criteria, rubrics, scoring guidelines, surveys)
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