Communication Studies
Assessment Plan
I. Assessing Proficiency in Written Communication
Each student in the Communication Studies major
completes a capstone paper as part of either CM 4000: Senior Project
or CM 4550: Internship. The final grades earned on these papers,
completed during the fall and spring semesters of the same academic
year, that pertain to quality of writing/expression will be averaged
by course section offered. An average (mean) grade of “B” (minimum
82.5%) — which corresponds to an evaluative assessment of “very
good” — or better will be desired to indicate success in this area.
II. Assessing Proficiency in Oral Communication
and Public Speaking
Each student in CM 4000:
Senior Project presents the results of his or her semester-long
research at a special Communication Studies Convocation. These
presentations receive letter grades as part of the requirements for
that course (a detailed evaluation sheet is completed for each
student’s presentation). The final grades of these presentations,
delivered during the fall and spring semesters of the same academic
year, will be averaged by course section offered. An average (mean)
grade of “B” (minimum 82.5%) — which corresponds to an evaluative
assessment of “very good” — or better will be desired to indicate
success in this area.
III. Assessing Exposure to and Understanding of a
Range of Communication Theory and the Ability to Apply Such
Theory Effectively, Using Critical-Thinking Skills, to
Specific Projects and Real-World Situations
Each student in the Communication Studies major
completes a capstone paper as part of either CM 4000: Senior Project
or CM 4550: Internship. These papers require students to
demonstrate their grasp of communication theory and application in
relation to specific projects and/or real-world situations that
pertain to their primary areas of study. The final grades earned on
these papers, completed during the fall and spring semesters of the
same academic year, that pertain to quality of application of
communication theory will be averaged by course section offered. An
average (mean) grade of “B” (minimum 82.5%) — which corresponds to
an evaluative assessment of “very good” — or better will be desired
to indicate success in these areas.
In addition, the faculty
members in the Communication Studies Department will conduct an annual
review of course syllabi to ensure that adequate exposure to various
kinds of communication theory is occurring in all relevant
Communication Studies course offerings.
IV. Assessing Overall Satisfaction With the
Communication Studies Learning Experience
Each soon-to-be graduate in the Communication
Studies major, during the fall and spring semesters of the same
academic year, will be asked to (1) complete an Exit Questionnaire
and (2) take part in a small-group Exit Interview as formal
requirements of CM 4000: Senior Project and CM 4550: Internship. To
encourage fulfillment of these tasks, the syllabi of these courses
will state clearly that no student in them can receive a passing
final grade in the course until both of these required tasks have
been successfully completed. Students will be required to bring
their completed Exit Questionnaires with them to the Exit Interview,
to provide them with a solid starting point for the discussion that
takes place in that setting.
The Exit Questionnaire
requests information about whether students feel they have had
sufficient opportunities for developing foundational skills (e.g.,
reading, writing, discussion, and public speaking skills) as well as
advanced skills (e.g., developing and exercising analytical skills and
conducting research) that are required for success in the field of
communications and/or graduate school. Students are asked to identify
specific courses that they found to be most beneficial as part of
their major coursework and specific courses they feel could have been
improved (and how they could be improved). They are also asked about
their future plans and potential changes to the major that they feel
will be beneficial to future cohorts of students.
The Exit Interviews
occur in groups of approximately five to seven students each. They
are intended to provide students with a convenient way to elaborate on
the written responses they have offered in the Exit Questionnaire and
to provide the Communication Studies faculty members with richer, more
in-depth information on these various topics of interest.
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