Sociology Program Assessment Plan
Goals
Preamble
The Sociology Program of Northeastern Illinois University
is committed to preparing graduates to live in and contribute to an
increasingly complex and diverse social world. When students have
completed a B.A. in sociology, students will have demonstrated:
Goal 1
An understanding of key sociological ideas.
Goal 2
The ability to apply a sociological perspective to
everyday life, in particular how to work for social justice in socially diverse
groups, societies, and the global community.
Goal 3
Effective thinking, oral and written communication,
technological, and research skills.
Performance Indicators
Goal 1: An understanding of key
sociological ideas
Objectives: Understands sociological
theory and key concepts
Performance Indicators:
Paper from Classical or Contemporary Theory course
Paper from a course on the intersection of race,
class, and gender (e.g. Social Stratification, American Women, Race and
Ethnicity, Urban Sociology)
Goal 2: Application of a
sociological perspective
Objectives: Can use the sociological
imagination and can participate in sociological practice and activism
Performance
Indicators
Paper from one of the social institutions course
(e.g. Marriage and family, Religion, Education, Media)
Paper from a course on the intersection of race,
class, and gender (see above)
Paper from Sociological Practice or from Internship
in Sociology
Goal 3: Effective thinking,
communication, technological, and research skills
Objectives: Can demonstrate clear and
well-organized thinking in writing, can use social statistics, and can conduct
research.
Performance
indicators:
Research paper from Methods of Sociological Inquiry,
Social Statistics, Population and Demography, or another course.
Assessment Rubrics
Rubrics for
understanding sociological concepts
4 Strong Consistent facility with
sociological concepts with occasional errors.
3 Adequate Inconsistent facility with
sociological concepts; may have errors that confuse meaning.
2 Limited Inadequate facility with
the use of sociological concepts with an accumulation of errors.
1 Unsatisfactory Serious and frequent errors
0 No evidence No documentation provided or
available
Rubrics for
application of a sociological perspective
4 Strong Consistent facility with application
with occasional inability to apply
3 Adequate Inconsistent facility with application,
but demonstrate an understanding.
2 Limited Inadequate facility with application,
unable to accomplish independently
1 Unsatisfactory Unable to apply a sociological
perspective
0 No evidence No documentation provided or
available
Rubrics for
thinking, communication, technological, and research skills
4 Strong Consistent
facility with thinking, communication, technological, and research skills, but
less effective in one area more than others.
3 Adequate Inconsistent facility, may
have errors that obscure meaning
2 Limited Inadequate skills with many
errors
1 Unsatisfactory Serious and frequent errors with
little demonstration of ability with these skills
0 No evidence No documentation provided or
available
Sociology
Major Assessment Rubric for Performance Indicators*
4 Strong Addresses most all of the
goals
3 Adequate Meets no more than minimum
requirements
2 Limited Inadequately addresses goals
1 Unsatisfactory Goals and objectives not met at all
0 Not applicable
5 4 3 2 1
Goal 1: Understands key sociological
concepts
1. Understands key theories and understands
how the major parts fit together.
2. Knows meaning of basic concepts, can use them,
and can apply them to a variety of situations.
Where in the documentation is this present?
Goal 2: Ability to apply a sociological perspective
3. Understands the relationship of a sociological
perspective to social action
4. Sees impact of social and historical forces in own life,
in others’ lives, in social institutions, policies, and practices.
Where in the documentation is this present?
Goal 3: Effective thinking, communication, technological,
and research skills
5. Can compare and contrast theories and ideas, critique from
a theoretical perspective, can state generalizations and provide
supporting evidence, can write clearly and organize effectively
with appropriate citation of sources.
6. Can speak to a whole class, make eye contact, present a point
of view and analysis with evidence, can present an application of ideas,
and can use multiple strategies to deal with an audience.
7. Understands and uses statistics for sociological analysis.
8. understands the research process and research vocabulary, can do
a review of the literature, and can carry out basic sociological research.
Where in the documentation is this present?