POLS-131: Introduction to American Government and Political Science

Each instructor will identify and implement appropriate methods to assess the achievement of the learning objectives for the course. In addition, POLS 131 also fulfills the General Education Learning Objective: Civil Society and Culture. Therefore, all instructors teaching the course will participate in a common form of assessment.

1. A set of multiple-choice questions has been prepared for use in all sections of POLS 131.
2. Questions will be provided to each instructor at the end of the semester. These questions can be used in connection with the final exam.
3. Students will use a separate ScanTron form for these questions.
4. The instructor should scan the forms and the scores will be calculated into the final grade for each student. The assessment test should represent at least 5 percent of the final exam grade; ScanTron forms should be turned in to the Political Science Faculty Coordinator for Assessment after final grades for the semester are due. The Coordinator of Instructional Assessment will combine forms from all sections of POLS 131 for analysis.
5. Multiple-choice questions cover the seven domains in Section XIV, learning objectives identified above in Section X to focus on the assessing the Civil Society and Culture General Education Outcome. Faculty members should be sure to incorporate these topics into the course during the semester.

1. Questions will be provided to each instructor at the end of the semester. These questions are to be used in connection with the final exam.
2. Students will use a separate ScanTron form for these questions.
3. The instructor should scan the forms and the scores will be calculated into the final grade for each student. The assessment test should represent at least 5 percent of the final exam grade.
4. ScanTron forms should be turned in to the Social Science Division Secretary after final grades for the semester are due.
5. The Coordinator of Instructional Assessment will combine forms from all sections of POLS 131 for analysis.
6. Multiple-choice questions cover scenarios that analytically explore how American System of Government and Politics works through the interaction of institutions, laws, acts, and precedence.
7. Each faculty member teaching POLS 131 will incorporate a written assignment into the course requirements. This will no longer be part of the General Education Outcome assessment process. The assignment can be completed outside of class which provides an appropriate period of time for students to complete. The assignment can take one of the following forms:
   1. A journal project in which students summarize and analyze three or more articles on a country, region (e.g., Latin America or the Pacific Rim), or a social or policy issue with global implications (e.g., immigration policy, global warming, or child labor).
   2. A research paper that contrasts the United States with one or more countries, using three recent, substantive articles from newspapers, magazines, or scholarly journals.
   3. A research paper that explores an issue of general concern and how political and government action is dealing with the given issue using three recent, substantive articles from newspapers, magazines, or scholarly journals.
   4. A critical review of an article, which has global implications, from a professional journal, in which the student summarizes the article, relates the topic to class materials, and properly cites the source.
   5. Essay questions that are given in class as part of exams, quizzes, or other assignments. Students should complete such assignments on their own.
   6. Written Assignments on-line assignments submitted through the College's learning management system.