College / School:
Savannah State University, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Department:
Department of Political Science and Public Affairs
Program / Major / Certificate:
Political Science
Assessment Coordinator(s):
Geoff Bowden
Has there been a change to the Assessment Coordinator(s) since the last
assessment plan?
No
Person(s) responsible for writing and/or submitting this report:
Geoff Bowden
The political science major seeks to advance the historic mission of Savannah
State University by preparing students who are respectful of the past,
competent to handle the present, and prepared for the future in public service
in Georgia and beyond. The Department of Political Science and Public Affairs
offers a Bachelor’s Science in Political Science with concentrations in one of
the three areas of pre-law, public administration, or international/comparative
politics.
A well-qualified faculty offers courses on the African American political
experience, comparative politics, international relations, the American
judicial system, research methods, political theory, and constitutional law. At
the undergraduate level, students may elect to focus on public administration,
pre-law, or international comparative politics.
Students may pursue their graduate studies within the department by choosing
either the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or the Master of Science in
Urban Studies and Planning (MSUS) degree programs. The Master of Public
Administration is fully accredited by The National Association of Schools of
Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). The Master of Science in Urban
Studies and Planning is a full member of the Association of Collegiate Schools
of Planning (ACSP).
The Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science seeks to prepare leaders in
public service to Georgia and beyond, and who are able to:
• Demonstrate an understanding of American governmental structures, as well as
comparative political systems;
• Exhibit knowledge of the political science literature and have the ability to
retrieve information and acquire knowledge on their own;
• Communicate effectively about the impact of political science in society and
the significance of the discipline in the social sciences;
• Pursue graduate and professional schools;
• Compete successfully for entry-level jobs in the domestic and international
arenas in Georgia and beyond; and
• Perform at higher levels of economic productivity, social responsibility, and
moral excellence in their chosen field.
Has this mission statement been revised since the last plan? Yes
1. Research Methods in Political Sciences: Students will develop in-depth knowledge in research procedures consistent with Political Science.
2. Problem Solving: Students will understand the various processes and methods of decision making involved in problem solving.
3. Understanding Global Issues: Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the challenges of a rapidly changing world community; be able to appreciate other people's cultures.
4. Understanding American Political Issues: Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the ideologies, institutions, and processes of American politics.
5. Effective Communication: Students will demonstrate effective communication in written essays to the instructor, and written communication to other members of the class.
|
PSLO |
Semester |
Professor |
Courses |
Assessment Artifacts and Instruments |
Target Levels |
Results and Analysis of Results |
Actions in Response to Results |
|
1. Research Methods in Political Sciences: Students will develop in-depth knowledge in research procedures consistent with political Science |
Fall 2015 |
Jayaraman |
POLS 3301 Research Methods in Political Science |
Lit Review Assignment - Information Literacy Rubric |
≥40% achieve milestone 3 |
TARGET NOT MET 0% achieved Milestone 3 |
OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET |
|
2. Problem Solving: Students will understand the various processes and methods of decision making involved in problem solving. |
Fall 2015 |
Bowden |
POLS 4201 Political Theory |
Gorgias paper - Problem Solving Rubric |
≥ 40% achieve milestone 3 |
TARGET NOT MET 35% at milestone 3, but students are scoring better. |
OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET |
|
3. Understanding Global Issues: Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the challenges of a rapidly changing world community; be able to appreciate other people's cultures. |
Fall 2015 |
Agbehonou |
POLS 3102 Comparative Government and Politics |
Comparative paper - Global Politics Paper |
≥ 90% meet Milestone 2 or higher. |
TARGET MET (100% met or exceeded standard). Now work on increasing the percentage that exceed the target. 50% in all areas. |
OVERALL: TARGET MET |
|
4. Understanding American Political Issues: Students will demonstrate prominent political ideologies in U.S. politics and describe their respective beliefs, values, and goals; be able to discuss how advertising and the mass media influence political behavior in the U.S.; be able to compare and contrast the powers of the U.S. Congress, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court. |
Fall 2015 |
Bongang |
POLS 4601 American Foreign Policy |
AFP research paper - American Politics Rubric |
≥ 20% exceed Milestone 2 |
TARGET MET 39% exceeded Milestone 2 |
OVERALL: TARGET MET |
|
5. Effective Communication: Students will demonstrate effective communication in written essays to the instructor, and the written communication to other members of the class. |
Spring 2016 |
Owens |
POLS 3811 Urban Politics |
Analytical Essay - Written Communication Rubric |
≥ 40% achieve excellent (3 on the rubric) |
TARGET NOT MET (9%) Look for ways to increase exposure to the writing process. |
OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET |
|
SSU Strategic Plan Goal |
PO Goal |
Enabling Strategies |
Measures |
Targets |
Results and Analysis of Results |
Actions in Response to Results |
|
Academic Engagement and Achievement |
Update curriculum map to identify gaps in POLS offerings |
Identify gaps based on best POLS practices |
Develop updated curriculum map |
Updated curriculum map with identified gaps in POLS offerings |
TARGET NOT MET Identified gaps in American politics, International Political Economy, but need to still work on comprehensive mapping |
OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will use assessment results to try to get more faculty hires in these areas. |
|
Academic Engagement and Achievement |
Increase scholarly visibility on campus |
Schedule public events to present scholarship of faculty |
Track attendance at events |
200 total attendees |
TARGET MET Held 4 events, total of 276 attendees (Bobby Seale event not included) Target exceeded by 76 participants |
OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue to hold campus-wide events, 2 per semester. |
|
Academic Engagement and Achievement |
Increase enrollment in major |
Recruitment in POLS 1101 and 2401 sections |
Track enrollment in major |
120 students |
TARGET NOT MET 96 students Target shortfall 24 students. |
OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue to recruit in lower level classes. |