Visual Arts Assessment Plan

The faculty in the department of visual arts decided it would be best to implement assessment into a segment of DOVA's programs rather than try to measure all outcomes in every student. Since a number of the department's desired outcomes are reviewed in the BFA portfolio review, and since the review involves all of the faculty, the BFA portfolio was seen as an ideal vehicle for collecting assessment data.

The BFA program is the only program in the Department of Visual Arts with selective admittance. The BFA portfolio review determines which students will be admitted into the program. The portfolios submitted for review contain 15-18 works, primarily from the foundation classes, plus a writing assignment.

This review occurs only after students have completed DOVA's foundation which includes the following studio courses: ART 1110 Drawing I, ART 1160 Design: 2D,ART 1170 Design: 3D,ART 3420 Introduction to Digital Media, ART 3120 Figure Drawing; and the following introductory and art history courses: ART 1040 Art Major Orientation, two of the following three courses: ART CA 1090 Art and Architecture of the World: Paleolithic-AD 1000, ART CA 1090 Art and Architecture of the World: AD 1000-Present, ART 2040 Introduction to Asian Art, plus a minimum of an additional 3 hours of art history electives.

Since the review takes place after students have completed a minimum of 29 hours in the Visual Arts-BFA students complete a minimum of 72 hours in the Visual Arts--this review not only will provide the department with data on the strengths and weaknesses of its educational programs, the faculty will also be able to provide recommendations to specific students so they can remedy weaknesses before they graduate.

The green cells in the first table below indicate the assessment procedure that will be used during the BFA review. By clicking on the phrase "BFA review criteria" found in the green cells, you will go to a second table which provides detail on these assessment procedures.

Student Learning Outcome	Assessment Procedure	When Assessed
1. Possess a basic knowledge of visual culture from prehistoric to contemporary times.	Written exams, papers and oral reports specifically in ART CA 1090, ART CA 1100, ART 2040	Specifically when students take those courses.
2. Have an awareness of the richness of cultural diversity through the study of creative work from many cultures.	Written exams, papers and oral reports specifically in ART CA 1090, ART CA 1100, ART HU 1150, ART 2040, ART 3030, ART 3040, ART 3050, ART 3060, ART 3070, ART 3080	Specifically when students take those courses.
3. Demonstrate advanced abilities in generating innovative solutions to traditional and nontraditional problems in 2D and 3D visual media.	B.F.A review criteria* 1,2,3	During the B.F.A. review held twice a year
	Also in all intermediate and advanced studio courses, via critiques.	Ongoing
4. Be able to demonstrate basic competencies in drawing, photography, and digital visual media and possess the knowledge and skills to be successful in their area of emphasis.	B.F.A review criteria* 1,2,3	During the B.F.A. review held twice a year
	In all studio courses where appropriate, via critiques	Ongoing
5. Possess skills in oral and written communication as they pertain to the visual arts.	B.F.A review criteria* 4	During the B.F.A. review held twice a year
	In nearly all studio and art history courses, via critiques, written and oral reports.	Ongoing
6. Be able to effectively do research using contemporary and traditional methods.	In nearly all studio and art history courses, via critiques, written and oral reports.	Ongoing
7. Be able to think critically. Students should be able not only to analyze a work of art using traditional methods, but should also be able to develop thoughtful new interpretations.	B.F.A review criteria* 4	During the B.F.A. review held twice a year
	In nearly all studio and art history courses, via critiques, written and oral reports.	Ongoing
8. Be able to express their personal thoughts, ideas, or emotions through visual media.	B.F.A review criteria* 2	During the B.F.A. review held twice a year
	In all studio courses where appropriate, via critiques	Ongoing