Criteria and Standards Document
Role, Scope, Criteria, Standards, and Proceduresfor the Formal Review of Tenurable Faculty
College of Letters and ScienceDepartment of Sociology and Anthropology
Effective July 1, 2000
SECTION 100
ROLE AND SCOPE STATEMENTS
100APPROVALS REQUIRED
Role, scope, criteria, standards and procedures documents shall be approved by the department faculty, department head, the college review committee, the college dean, the UPT Committee, and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. [FH 622.]
112 ROLE AND SCOPE
112.2 Role and Scope of the Department
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY ROLE AND SCOPE
The fundamental mission of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology is to provide quality undergraduate instruction in Sociology, Anthropology, and Justice Studies. The Department offers a baccalaureate degree in Anthropology and Sociology with options in Justice Studies and Sociology.
Universities have an obligation to provide students with an education about the society and culture of which they are a part. This implies a knowledge of the history, belief systems, and social forms and practices that characterize our world. A good undergraduate education must also include multicultural understanding and appreciation for different ways of living, the intricacies, subtleties, and complexities of other ways of thinking and other rules of social interaction. It is essential that students should learn how societies around the world have developed many different adaptations and institutions for coping with their particular circumstance. They should confront the enduring questions that humankind faces as we look toward the future. The Sociology and Anthropology Department provides much of this information through its three options. For example, Anthropology investigates past cultures, human biological evolution, and varied linguistic forms. It includes comparative, cross-cultural analysis of social organization and social institutions and studies small and large scale societies brought together in the colonial encounter. Sociology includes the study of basic social institutions and processes as reflected, for example, in the courses concerned with method and theory, social organization, deviance, political sociology, social psychology, and cultural ecology. It also provides courses which consider fundamental social issues and conflicts in our society. These courses, as well as others, are directed toward enlightening students about their own society and different ways of interpreting that information. The Justice Studies option promotes close examination of a basic theme essential to members of our society "What is Justice?," "How is justice obtained or denied in our society?," and How do justice agencies operate? Courses on the criminal justice system, criminal law, corrections, law enforcement, military justice, traditions in justice, and current issues of justice are all designed to encourage students to address the issue of justice in a meaningful way.
Each option has as its ultimate purpose the enlightenment of students: the teaching of abilities leading to rational inquiry, logical thinking, and critical analysis; and the recognition of the limitations of various methods of seeking informed knowledge. Sociology and Anthropology, as social sciences, are committed to teaching students not only the body of knowledge which represents these disciplines, but also the analytical methods by which that knowledge was obtained. In addition, the faculty teach the consequences and ramifications of the results of research in other areas of personal and social life, and the manner in which social life is integrated, whereby changes in one area affect other facets of existence.
Faculty in the Sociology and Anthropology Department make an important contribution to undergraduate social science education. In addition to providing instructional specializations in three disciplines the Department contributes substantially to the general education of all MSU students through its participation in the core curriculum and by and by providing service courses for other majors. Sociology and Anthropology Department courses that satisfy the Social Science core include Soc 101 Introduction to Sociology, Soc 328 Environmental Sociology and JS 101 Introduction to Justice Studies. Courses that fulfill both Social Science and Multicultural Perspectives & Global Issues core consist of Anth 101 Introduction to Anthropology, Anth 201 Human Prehistory, Anth 204 Culture & Society, Anth 320 Archaeology of North America, Anth 326 Language & Culture, Anth 405 Myth, Magic, & Religion and Anth 433 Contemporary Pacific Societies. In addition, Department faculty provide specialized course offerings in the various options that serve department majors, offer specialized courses for other disciplines, and provide for the Social Science teaching minor.
Research and service contributions are also an integral part of the Department's mission and serve to complement the instructional role. These efforts contribute to a growing body of scholarly knowledge and enhance instruction by providing through educational research experiences for students while keeping faculty professionally current in their fields.
Through research, Department faculty contribute to a body of basic scientific knowledge and theory. Such research variously enhances local, state, national and international communities. Much of the Department's efforts directly serve local and state interests and needs. Research performed by Department faculty influence policy development in diverse social arenas. Historically, the Department has maintained strong connections with the Agricultural Experiment Station conducting research on rural social problems in the state. This research placed special emphasis on problems facing farmers/ranchers, their families and their communities.
The social milieu in which the Department operates frequently blurs the distinction between research and service. Results from research conducted by any of the Department's options frequently find application as our society attempts to address or anticipate social problems.
113 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
113.2 Academic Programs of the Department
The Sociology and Anthropology Department offers a baccalaureate degree in Anthropology and Sociology with options in Justice Studies and Sociology. Both teaching and non-teaching minors are offered in Sociology.
114 RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY
114.2 Special Areas of Department Research and Creative Activity
Faculty of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology maintain research and creative interests in the fields of Anthropology, Justice Studies, and Sociology. Within those fields, the specific areas are defined by the special interests of individual faculty.
115 OUTREACH/PUBLIC SERVICE
115.2 Special Areas of Department Outreach/Public Service
Faculty of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology perform outreach/public service in the fields of Anthropology, Justice Studies, and Sociology. Within those fields, the specific areas of outreach/public service are defined by the special interests/abilities of individual faculty.
SECTION 200
CRITERIA AND STANDARDS
"Criteria" are the variables examined in an evaluation. "Standards" are the levels or degrees of performance which measure success in meeting criteria. [FH 602.00]
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211 TEACHING CRITERIA
211.3 Department Teaching Criteria
Criteria considered in the evaluation of teaching will include, but are not limited to, student evaluations, self-evaluation, and peer evaluation. In addition to these forms of assessment the department shall consider the nature and effectiveness of faculty with respect to the generation and presentation of course content and objectives, curricular enhancement and innovation, course load, classroom effectiveness, teaching improvement (through documented individual effort or participation in seminars and workshops), student learning and achievement, and advising of students.
212 RESEARCH CRITERIA
212.3 Department Research Criteria
The diversity of the Sociology and Anthropology Department options stimulates a wide array of scholarly activity. Publication, productivity and funding appropriate to national norms in each option (for departments of similar size and scope) will serve as the primary criteria for evaluation. In response to ongoing changes in the presentation of scholarly output (such as the introduction of electronic media) the Department will strive to recognize scholarly enterprises that appear in non-traditional formats.
The pursuit of research in social sciences often involves human subjects and politically sensitive materials or projects. To establish and maintain an ongoing research agenda frequently requires extensive interpersonal contact and communication with individuals, organizations, or government agencies for their cooperation and for permits or other authorizations, with little assurance of success. With appropriate documentation, the Department will attempt to recognize the importance and contribution of such research oriented efforts.
213 OUTREACH/PUBLIC SERVICE CRITERIA
213.3 Department Criteria
The Sociology and Anthropology Department expects faculty to contribute outreach and public service activities at national, state, and/or local levels. Faculty contributions range from advising on social policy issues to providing schools and community groups with specialized expertise on current social topics. Faculty will provide documentation of outreach and public service activities. Such documentation may include correspondence from clientele or calendars that establishes time, location, and type of service provided. Faculty are encouraged to document continuing practical investment of their academic enterprise for the public good.
"Effectiveness" means meeting or exceeding the standards of the department and college, discipline or profession as appropriate for the individual's assignment. "Excellence" means achieving substantial recognition from students, clients, colleagues, and/or peers in the profession, appropriate to the activity. [FH 602.00]
220.2 Standards for Faculty with Professional Practice Expectations
Faculty with professional practice expectations will advance the mission of their departments through activities appropriate to their specific assignments. [FH 632.00]
a. College standards for professional practice faculty are the same as those for instructional faculty, consistent with their specific assignments.
b. At this time the Department of Sociology and Anthropology has no faculty with professional practice expectations. It is doubtful that the Department of Sociology and Anthropology will acquire any positions for faculty with professional practice expectations in the foreseeable future.221 EFFECTIVENESS IN TEACHING
221.3 Department Standard(s) of Effectiveness in Teaching
A. Standard(s) of Effectiveness in Teaching for Faculty with Instructional Expectations
Faculty will use the departmentally approved Aleamoni form or its approved equivalent as a measurement of student satisfaction. Evaluation of scores from student evaluation instruments will take into account such factors as class size, level of instruciton (lower division, upper division, graduate), and whether or not it is a new or well-established course. The department's expectation is that scores from student evaluation instruments do not fall below the university average for the type of course taught. In addition to approximating the university average the department expects that members teaching scores on average, should not fall more than one standard deviation below the departmental mean. Grants to support the development of new courses ore research aimed at improving overall teaching performance will be considered meritorious.
B. Standard(s) of Effectiveness in Teaching for Faculty with Professional Practice Expectations
Faculty with professional practice expectations will advance the mission of their departments through activities appropriate to their specific assignments. [FH 632.00]
a. College standards for professional practice faculty are the same as those for instructional faculty, consistent with their specific assignments.
b. At this time the Department of Sociology and Anthropology has no faculty with professional practice expectations. It is doubtful that the Department of Sociology and Anthropology will acquire any positions for faculty with professional practice expectations in the foreseeable future.222 EFFECTIVENESS IN RESEARCH/CREATIVE ACTIVITY
222.3 Department Standard(s) of Effectiveness in Research/Creative Activity
A. Standard(s) of Effectiveness in Research/Creative Activity for Faculty with Instructional Expectations
Writing (not necessarily publishing one scholarly paper a year meets research expectations in any one annual review period. Works in progress, however must be demonstrably part of a research program. It is expected that the results of this research will be presented at conferences and professional meetings. (This assumes that the university will provide some reasonable level of support for faculty attendance for at least one meeting per year.) Faculty reviews regarding research, other than annual reviews, are based on completed work either published or accepted for publication.
On-campus review committees, administrators and external reviewers will evaluate research effectiveness. The quality of publications will be evaluated in terms of their scope, originality and significance as determined through the professional appraisal of peers in the field (journal readers, editors), referees, conference chairs and/or by Department colleagues. In making judgments about the quality of performance in this area the Department considers the following:
The caliber of different presses and journals.
Publications in refereed journals relevant to the Faculty Member's area of research/creativity.
The caliber of the academic conferences where papers are presented.
Evaluations of academic work by peers inside and outside the Department.
The extent and quality of the individual's contribution to research published by multiple authors.B. Standard(s) of Effectiveness in Research/Creative Activity for Faculty with Professional Practice Expectations
At this time the Department of Sociology and Anthropology has no faculty with professional practice expectations. It is doubtful that the Department of Sociology and Anthropology will acquire any positions for faculty with professional practice expectations in the foreseeable future.
223 EFFECTIVENESS IN OUTREACH/PUBLIC SERVICE
223.3 Department Standard(s) of Effectiveness in Outreach/Public Service
A. Standard(s) of Effectiveness in Outreach/Public Service for Faculty with Instructional Expectations
Service is defined as work done to benefit the department, college and university; the faculty member's profession; or, to benefit the wider community. Service to the department, college and university includes, but is not limited to, membership on committees and/or participation in university governance. Professional service includes, but is not limited to membership on professional committees and/or service as an office officer of a professional organization, book reviewing and manuscript refereeing. Public service includes, but is not limited to public presentations, participation in public programs and/or service on committees and boards devoted to public issues. Because the Sociology and Anthropology Department encourages junior faculty to maintain a reduced service load until the third year review, the decision relative to tenure and promotion to associate professor will be based on a record of limited, but increasing growth in service
B. Standard(s) of Effectiveness in Outreach/Public Service for Faculty with Professional Practice Expectations
230 STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE
231 EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
231.3 Department Standard(s) of Excellence in Teaching
Excellence in teaching is established when the faculty member's documentation demonstrates that the candidate has received substantial recognition from Department faculty and other colleagues in the University or the profession, and from current and former students and/or advisees. Creativeness and/or innovation in presentation of materials or type of materials presented represent a critical component in the identification of excellence in teaching.
A. Excellence in Teaching for Department Faculty with Instructional Expectations
Faculty performance in teaching will be judged excellent if it has an innovative component and if it receives substantial recognition from students, colleagues, and /or peers in the profession.
B. Excellence in Teaching for Department Faculty with Professional Practice Expectations
Faculty performance in teaching will be judged excellent if it has an innovative component and if it receives substantial recognition from students, colleagues, and /or peers in the profession.
232 EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH/CREATIVE ACTIVITY
232.3 Department Standard(s) of Excellence in Research/Creative Activity
A. Excellence in Research/Creative Activity for Department Faculty with Instructional Expectations
Excellence in research is established when the faculty member's documentation demonstrates that the candidate has received substantial national or international recognition from peers in the candidate's research field as having made a substantial contribution to the relevant body of knowledge.
B. Excellence in Research/Creative Activity for Department Faculty with Professional Practice Expectations
233 EXCELLENCE IN OUTREACH/PUBLIC SERVICE
233.3 Department Standards of Excellence in Outreach/Public Service
A. Excellence in Outreach/Public Service for Department Faculty with Instructional Expectations
Sociology and Anthropology Department standards of excellence in outreach/public service are those of the College of Letters and Science and Montana State University Bozeman.
B. Excellence in Outreach/Public Service for Department Faculty with Professional Practice Expectations
240.1 DEMONSTRATION OF EFFECTIVENESS AND EXCELLENCE
Department and college criteria for retention, tenure and promotion may recognize differential staffing and allow for individual uniqueness in faculty assignments. Standards should not make all faculty perform alike, but commensurate quality must be expected for all equivalent reviews. [FH 622.00]
240.2 The procedures for establishing the departmental report on any candidate will be developed by the candidate's department.
241 DEMONSTRATION OF EFFECTIVENESS AND EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
241.3 Department Policies and Procedures
Methods for conducting an in-depth assessment of teaching performance are:
Documentation of teaching shall result from detailed assessment of teaching performance, enhancement and/or innovation of curriculum, and quality of student advising. Appropriate documentation may include self-evaluation, evaluation from external peer reviewers, University peers and colleagues, current and former students, graduates, and/or clients.
Documentation of effectiveness/excellence must include student evaluations of each course taught by the faculty member, using the Department's standard course evaluation form (MSU Course/Instructor Evaluation Questionnaire (CIEQ) abstracted from the Arizona CIEQ(Form 76) LM. Aleamoni, 1975). Student course evaluations are quantitative and qualitative and both elements are considered. For tenure or promotion reviews, confidential letters from current and former students and advisees may also be included if so desired by the Department Head, the promotion, retention and tenure committee (PRTC), or the faculty member under review. All confidential letters of evaluation must be solicited by the Department Head or the PRTC and not the faculty member. These letters should address the quality and impacts of the faculty member's teaching/advising activities. Peer faculty evaluations such as classroom visitation and reviews of course materials are strongly encouraged for all P&T reviews. In support of the review the candidate may put forth any curricular materials developed for pedagogical purposes.