BREADTH - MAJOR LEARNING OUTCOMES ( MLOs)

What does this mean?

The HCOM Major ProSeminar is designed to introduce students to the major and to the various fields of study that it encompasses. The ProSeminar acquaints students with inter/disciplinary paradigms, theories, methodologies, and debates in the Humanities. It helps students establish and develop learning communities for collaborative inquiry, ongoing learning assessment, and continued mentoring and support. Students identify a preliminary Depth Concentration in the Major and form a learning community with others in that concentration. Students develop Individual Learning Plans designed to assure fulfillment of HCOM Major Learning Outcomes and Depth Concentration. Students also submit a preliminary proposal for their Senior Capstone Projects. In the ProSeminar, students also learn advanced planning strategies for entry into graduate study, professional school, and careers.

Criteria for Assessment

• Performance at an upper division level of critical thinking, writing, research, and analysis.
• Ability to take charge of own learning and contribute responsibly and invitationally to a learning community of peers.
• Active and responsible participation in class discussions, completion of all readings and writing assignments, andcare for professional presentation of work.
• Ability to understand the disciplinary and interdisciplinary assumptions and methods that shape the Major Learning Outcomes and Depth Concentrations.
• Ability to understand and engage ethically, critically, and creatively in debates and controversies in the Humanities.
• Active research of relevant professional opportunities and related learning needs.
• Development of an Individual Learning Plan and a preliminary Senior Capstone project proposal.

Pathway

Course-based Assessment

HCOM 300 - Major ProSeminar

Major ProSeminar Assessment Standards
(A level of 3 is necessary to fulfill the built-in assessment).

5. Exemplary.
The ProSeminar portfolio meets all the above-stated criteria and demonstrates exemplary ability to complete the HCOM Major. Written work demonstrates excellent writing skills - logical development of argument, focus, organization, creative style, impeccable spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage. All citations are comprehensive and accurate, following convention. All work is presented with great professional care. The work shows the ability to synthesize and critically assess readings. Written work and oral participation demonstrate substantial understanding of the issues and original critical thinking; they evidence sophisticated understanding of the disciplinary interconnections in the Major, of the Learning Outcomes, and the Depth Concentration. Written work and oral participation demonstrate exceptional ability to conduct independent and team research. Contribution to the learning community process is significant. The work exhibits strong engagement and concern for contemporary debates in the Humanities and understanding of the relationship of these debates to personal educational goals. The work demonstrates maturity, engagement, and responsibility in the individual learning process. The Individual Learning Plan is complete and tracks a course of study to graduation. This course of study is coherent, comprehensive, carefully thought out and well written, well targeted to personal educational and career goals; it demonstrates serious academic purpose. The preliminary Capstone proposal expresses strong promise of originality, creativity, trans-disciplinary integration, and contribution to transforming culture in a significant and humane manner.

4. Very Good.
The ProSeminar portfolio meets all the above-stated criteria and demonstrates strong ability to complete the HCOM Major. Written work demonstrates strong writing skills - logical development of argument, focus, organization, good creative style. Errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage are few and do not impede understanding. All citations are comprehensive and accurate, following convention. All work is presented with great professional care. The work shows the ability to synthesize and critically assess readings. Written work and oral participation demonstrate strong understanding of the issues and critical thinking; they evidence solid understanding of the disciplinary interconnections in the Major, of the Learning Outcomes, and the Depth Concentration. Written work and oral participation demonstrate ability to conduct independent and team research. Contribution to the learning community process is strong. The work exhibits engagement and concern for contemporary debates in the Humanities and understanding of the relationship of these debates to personal educational goals. The work demonstrates maturity, engagement, and responsibility in the individual learning process. The Individual Learning Plan is complete and tracks a course of study to graduation. This course of study is coherent, comprehensive, well thought out and well-written, well targeted to personal educational and career goals; it demonstrates academic purpose. The preliminary Capstone proposal expresses promise of originality, creativity, trans-disciplinary integration, and contribution to transforming culture in a significant and humane manner.

3. Satisfactory.
The ProSeminar portfolio meets most of the above-stated criteria and demonstrates ability to complete the HCOM Major. Written work demonstrates good writing skills - logical development of argument, focus, organization, some attention to style. Errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage do not impede comprehension. Citations are comprehensive and accurate, following convention. All work is presented with great professional care. The work shows the ability to synthesize and critically assess readings. Written work and oral participation demonstrate understanding of the issues and some degree of original critical thought; they evidence understanding of the disciplinary interconnections in the Major, of the Learning Outcomes, and the Depth Concentration. Written work and oral participation demonstrate ability to conduct independent and team research and to contribute to the learning community process. The work exhibits interest in contemporary debates in the Humanities and understanding of the relationship of these debates to personal educational goals. The work demonstrates engagement and responsibility in the individual learning process. The Individual Learning Plan is complete and tracks a course of study to graduation. The preliminary Capstone proposal shows potential for creative and competent trans-disciplinary integration and contribution to transforming culture in a significant and humane manner.

2. Needs Improvement.
The ProSeminar portfolio meets some of the above-stated criteria and may not yet demonstrate ability to successfully complete the HCOM Major. Written work may need more focus, better organization, and attention to style. Errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage impede understanding. Citations are incomplete and may need closer attention to convention. Work may need greater care in presentation. The work demonstrates the need to improve synthesis and critically assessment skills. Written work and oral participation may demonstrate need for greater engagement of issues and critical thinking. Written work and oral participation may demonstrate the need to improve ability to conduct independent and team research to contribute to the learning community process, and to develop collaborative, critical and invitational communication skills. Work may need to demonstrate greater understanding of the disciplinary interconnections in the Major, of the Learning Outcomes, and the Depth Concentration. The work may exhibit interest in contemporary debates in the Humanities, but may need to demonstrate the relationship of these debates to personal educational goals. Greater responsibility may need to be taken with the individual learning process. The Individual Learning Plan may need further completion to fully track the course of study to graduation. The preliminary Capstone proposal may require further definition to meet the satisfactory standard.

1. Needs Considerable Improvement.
The ProSeminar portfolio meets few of the above-stated criteria and does not yet demonstrate ability to successfully complete the HCOM Major. Written work needs focus and organization. Errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage significantly impede understanding. Citations are incomplete and need to follow appropriate convention. Work needs greater care in presentation. The work demonstrates the need to improve synthesis and critical assessment skills. Written work and oral participation do not yet engage issues and demonstrate critical thinking. Independent and team research skills may need development. Contributions to the learning community process, and to develop collaborative, critical and invitational communication skills may need considerable improvement. The work demonstrates the need to understand the disciplinary interconnections in the Major, of the Learning Outcomes, and the Depth Concentration. The work may demonstrate a need to understand debates in the Humanities and their relationship to personal educational goals. Responsibility needs to be taken with the individual learning process. The Individual Learning Plan may need considerable work in order to track the course of study to graduation. The preliminary Capstone proposal requires definition to meet the satisfactory standard.