Political Science Department
Learning Objectives
Course: POLS 499, Fall 2008
Content Knowledge--Students should learn the concepts, methods, and descriptive content of some areas of political science, appropriate to their class level. Evidence of learning includes assigned reading, content analysis of examinations, assignments that require data collection, assignments that require archival research, and course outlines. The Department does not expect students to learn about all areas of the discipline, but does expect upper division coursework to reflect an awareness of distinctly different fields of political science. Degree to which this course delivers this objective: ______
Reading--Students should develop skills in reading political science materials appropriate to their class level. Evidence of learning includes assigned reading, writing book reviews, diagramming arguments from reading, classroom group assignments such as answering questions about readings. Degree to which this course delivers this objective: ______
Writing--Students should be able to effectively convey ideas and arguments about the political world. Evidence of learning includes writing essay examinations, writing policy papers, performance on various stages of the writing process (topic declaration and justification, conceptual and literature reviews, methodology, diagramming arguments, writing successive drafts). Degree to which this course delivers this objective: ______
Speaking--Students should be able to present ideas and arguments about the political world. Evidence of learning includes class presentation of results of group discussion, class presentation of book reviews, oral examinations, classroom group discussions, class presentation of term projects. Degree to which this course delivers this objective: ______
Critical Thinking--Students should be able to assemble the many features of a project into a coherent piece of analysis. Evidence of learning includes writing policy papers, writing papers that require analysis of texts or data, class group assignments that require deliberate application of concepts. Degree to which this course delivers this objective: ______
Logical Thinking--Students should be able to construct reasoned argument and present the steps taken in their analytical work. Evidence of learning includes writing policy papers, answering questions about arguments in assigned readings, diagramming arguments. Degree to which this course delivers this objective: ______
POLS 499
Capstone Project Assessment-- My Own Project
Content Excellent...... Weak
Statement of project topic 5 4 3 2 1
Methodology 5 4 3 2 1
Conceptual clarity 5 4 3 2 1
Reasoned argument 5 4 3 2 1
Conclusion 5 4 3 2 1
Application of class standards 5 4 3 2 1
Appropriate citation system 5 4 3 2 1
Delivery
Eye contact 5 4 3 2 1
Nonverbal features--posture, gestures 5 4 3 2 1
Appropriate presentation technology 5 4 3 2 1
Answers to questions 5 4 3 2 1
Effectiveness of delivery 5 4 3 2 1
Most memorable quality or feature of the presentation:
Overall rating of presentation (circle one)
major OK, some satisfactory good very good perfect
problems problems
Overall rating of written project
major OK, some satisfactory good very good perfect
problems problems
Additional Comments:
POLS 499
Capstone Project Assessment-- Peer Project
Content Excellent...... Weak
Statement of project topic 5 4 3 2 1
Methodology 5 4 3 2 1
Conceptual clarity 5 4 3 2 1
Reasoned argument 5 4 3 2 1
Conclusion 5 4 3 2 1
Application of class standards 5 4 3 2 1
Appropriate citation system 5 4 3 2 1
Delivery
Eye contact 5 4 3 2 1
Nonverbal features--posture, gestures 5 4 3 2 1
Appropriate presentation technology 5 4 3 2 1
Answers to questions 5 4 3 2 1
Effectiveness of delivery 5 4 3 2 1
Most memorable quality or feature of the presentation:
Overall rating of presentation (circle one)
major OK, some satisfactory good very good perfect
problems problems
Overall rating of written project
major OK, some satisfactory good very good perfect
problems problems
Additional Comments:
POLS 499
Capstone Project Assessment-- Faculty Evaluation of Student Project
Content Excellent...... Weak
Statement of project topic 5 4 3 2 1
Methodology 5 4 3 2 1
Conceptual clarity 5 4 3 2 1
Reasoned argument 5 4 3 2 1
Conclusion 5 4 3 2 1
Application of class standards 5 4 3 2 1
Appropriate citation system 5 4 3 2 1
Delivery
Eye contact 5 4 3 2 1
Nonverbal features--posture, gestures 5 4 3 2 1
Appropriate presentation technology 5 4 3 2 1
Answers to questions 5 4 3 2 1
Effectiveness of delivery 5 4 3 2 1
Most memorable quality or feature of the presentation:
Overall rating of presentation (circle one)
major OK, some satisfactory good very good perfect
problems problems
Overall rating of written project
major OK, some satisfactory good very good perfect
problems problems
Additional Comments: