Direct Measures
All students seeking the Baccalaureate degree in Geography are required to complete one of the following courses
GEOG 410, Geographical Techniques and Thought - 3 hours
GEOG 415, Internship - 3-6 hours
GEOG 416, Applications of Geographic Information Systems - 3 hours
Each of these courses requires the student to demonstrate a professional level of capabilities in Geography. Hence, any one of these courses may satisfy the Department's required Capstone Experience. Note that, as faculty resources, interests, and expertise are subject to change for a variety of reasons the following classes: Geog 440, Special Topics in Regional Geography; Geog 441, Special Topics in Human Geography; Geog 442, Special Topics in Physical Geography; Geog 443, Special Topics in Applied GIS, and/or Geog 499, Independent Study, may be substituted for the Capstone Experience, when offered. Normally, students participate in these courses during one of the last two semesters of their studies.
Typically, a Capstone Experience culminates in a major term paper, an oral presentation and/or a poster presentation which is evaluated by the faculty. The goal is to demonstrate proficient communication skills at the professional level. However, Geography is a broad and diverse discipline, and there are many ways to communicate geographic data and analysis, including (but not limited to or requiring all)
Traditional term papers
Oral presentations
Poster presentations
Electronic products such as maps, interactive modules, and computer models
Advanced geo-spatial analysis
Presentation and interpretation of original field or laboratory research.
Given the high level of diversity within the field of Geography and among the Geography faculty, the Department's Capstone Experience must allow students the opportunity to demonstrate communication of Geographic data and analysis at a professional level in a variety of formats, as outlined above. Accordingly, the specific Capstone product for assessment in each course will be selected by the course instructor.
Geography 410 - Geographical Technique and Thought
This is a culminating Geography course taken by senior Geography majors that encompasses the philosophy, central themes, and history of Geography and Geographic thought. A primary requirement of the course is completion of a substantial research project and class presentations. The nature and scope of the research project will vary, year by year, according to enrollment, student and/or faculty interest, and expertise. Hence the products of student research will vary as described above. Regardless, students are encouraged to develop poster and/or other forms of presentations for the annual/Spring Undergraduate Research Day program.
Objective
|
Participants
|
Evaluators
|
skills:
1 and/or 2 and/or 3 as determined by the course instructor
knowledge:
1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 as determined by the course instructor
values: 1 and 2
|
Geography majors
|
Two Faculty, selected by (but not including) the instructor of record, at least one of which must be from the Geography Department using Student Research Assessment and Student Presentation Assessment
|
Geography 415: Internship - 1-6 hours
The purpose of the Internship is to provide students with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience working in a professional environment where geographic/spatial knowledge and skill can be applied to real-life circumstances. It also allows the student the opportunity to develop the communication and cooperation skills that are essential to productive work as a professional.
With the assistance of a faculty supervisor, the student will secure an internship with an appropriate firm (agency or business) that has direct interest and active work within the scope of the student’s geographic interests. The student enters into an informal contract with the firm - and with the approval of the faculty supervisor – that specifies the duration of the internship, the specific responsibilities of the student, and the types of activities the student will be involved with, and any salary to be paid to the intern. At the conclusion of the internship, the intern's supervisor completes an evaluation of the intern, the intern completes a “self-assessment” and the faculty supervisor completes an evaluation based on the firm’s assessment and the student’s assessment.
GEOG 416- Applications of Geographic Information Systems -3 hours
Prereq: GEOG 315 and GEOG 316 or permission of instructor.
This is an applied course focusing on selected topics(s) in geography and their GIS application. Students will work quasi-independently throughout the semester in demonstrating their understanding of, and ability to perform the ‘GIS Process’ through objective formulation, data identification and acquisition, database creation, manipulation/analysis and presentation of findings by applying them to a real-world spatial problem.
Objective
|
Participants
|
Evaluators
|
skills:
1 and/or 2 and/or 3, as determined by the course instructor
knowledge:
1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 as determined by the course instructor
values: 1 and 2
|
Geography majors
|
Two Faculty, selected by (but not including) the instructor of record, at least one of which must be from the Geography Department using Student Research Assessment and Student Presentation Assessment
|
GEOG 440; 441; 442, 443, 499
GEOG 440 - Special Topics in Regional Geography - 1-3 hours
Designed for a penetrating analysis of spatial distribution patterns of physical and cultural phenomena of selected world regions. The course will involve seminar presentations based upon library research.
GEOG 441 - Special Topics in Human Geography - 3 hours
Advanced, in-depth studies of various aspects of Human Geography.
GEOG 442 - Special Topics in Physical Geography - 3 hours
Advanced, in-depth studies of various aspects of Physical Geography.
GEOG 443- Special Topics in Applied GIS - 3 hrs
This is an advanced, applied course focusing on selected topics in Geography and their GIS application.
GEOG 499 - Independent Study - 1-3 hours
Independent investigation of a selected problem in geography under the direction of any Geography faculty member. Requires written report and/or an oral presentation. Permission of department chairman required to enroll.
Objective
|
Participants
|
Evaluators
|
skills:
1 and/or 2 and/or 3 as determined by the course instructor
knowledge:
1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 as determined by the course instructor
values: 1 and 2
|
Geography majors
|
Two Faculty, selected by (but not including) the instructor of record, at least one of which must be from the Geography Department using Student Research Assessment and Student Presentation Assessment
|
Indirect Measures
The student is required to prepare a written report summarizing their internship experience and/or make a formal oral presentation to an audience composed of Geography faculty and students as well as invited guests.
The Department will undertake two distinct surveys of current and former students:
Survey of Graduating Geography Majors:
Each graduating Geography major will complete a Survey of Graduating Geography Majors. The purpose of the survey is to gather information from graduating seniors so the department can identify areas of deficiency or redundancy as well as success and, where appropriate, alter practices or structures to improve the quality of the undergraduate experience.
Alumni Survey:
Every three (3) years, the Department will send out an alumni survey to all Geography Majors, Minors and Endorsees who have graduated in the previous three (3) years. The Department currently maintains a database of approximately 300 graduates since the 1970’s. The specific focus of this survey is to determine if the Department's programs have prepared its students for the job market and/or graduate school. Of particular importance are the capabilities currently required to be successful in a profession or graduate school. Based upon the responses provided, the Geography faculty will determine what, if any, action is necessary to resolve any identified deficiencies.
Reporting and Using the Results of Assessment Information
Early in each Fall Semester, the Geography Department faculty will convene a special Assessment meeting at which time the results of all Assessment tools and findings will be discussed and considered. Based on the facts presented and responsible management of curriculum, the faculty may determine changes in the Department's curriculum as well as Departmental policies that may have impact on the assessment process.
Previous Plan, Replaced Spring 2007