1 . Summary of Data Collected:

An Exit Interview was developed this year based on the desired program learning objectives or outcomes. The survey-style interview was mailed in April, 2001 to 31 students, to include all of the 2000-2001 graduating majors (11), minors (17), and Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) students (3). (It was decided to include the 3 majors who just graduated in spring of 2000 with this year’s graduates.) Nineteen students (8 majors and 11 minors/BIS students) returned the surveys by June 4, 2001 for a 61% total response rate. A summary of the major patterns of responses are described here. Slightly different patterns of response by majors than by minors/BIS students will be so indicated where appropriate.

a. Every respondent reported a significant shift in their understanding, proficiency, and knowledge in the eight desired learning outcomes of the program from the time before they began to after completing the program. The majors tended to indicate a greater shift toward the very high end of the learning spectrum than that reported by the minors/BIS students (particularly in areas with courses required of majors such as research — see # (5) below). The rating scale used for each question was: 1 = Very Low, 2 = Low, 3 = Medium, 4 = High, and 5 = Very High. Here are the numeric results.

b. Respondents indicated they selected anthropology as a major or minor primarily because of interest of the subject (63%= total; 75% of majors and 55% of minors) and enjoyment of the classes (53% = total; 25% of majors and 18% of minors).

c. There was a widespread response on which specialized fields of anthropology interested them most with an overall slight trend of cultural anthropology followed by biological anthropology and archaeology ranked as 1^st or 2^nd choice. It is understandable, with only one course offered in linguistics, that it was ranked last.

d. The majority of respondents indicated they planned to attend graduate school after graduation (68% of total; 75% of Majors and 64% of Minors/BIS).

e. 75% of the graduating Majors intend to pursue a career in anthropology; whereas, only one minor (9%) indicated this as a possibility. Instead, Minors/BIS students indicated career interests in a wide variety of fields typically benefiting from anthropological knowledge (e.g., geography, communications, public relations, geo-archaeology, law and criminal justice, historic preservation, medicine).

f. All respondents (100%) indicated that the greatest strengths of the program were the faculty (expertise and personableness), some also mentioned the department secretary, and a few mentioned they liked the small, intimate size of the program.

g. Many respondents (47%) felt that the greatest weaknesses of the program pertain to the limited number and variety of courses offered — especially in biological anthropology and linguistics, and several (16%) mentioned the relative lack of visibility or knowledge of the program on campus. Four Minors indicated they found no weaknesses to mention.

h. The changes most often suggested for the program’s courses or requirements were to add more courses (57% of suggestions), especially in biological anthropology and linguistics, and possibly add an internship, more hands-on classes, a computer course, and to divide the theory course into two courses. (Several mentioned the recognized need for more faculty.) Approximately 43% of all respondents, however, recommended no changes to the programs, which particularly reflected the opinion of the Minors/BIS students in which approximately 64% of this group explicitly expressed that they were satisfied with and liked the program the way it is (as compared to only 25% of the Majors who suggested no changes).

i. All respondents (100%) indicated that their WSU anthropological training has positively changed the way they view the world and peoples of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. This was essentially expressed toward their adopting attitudes of cultural relativism and racial equality and using a holistic perspective in their understanding of humans and their behavior. All expressed interest in gaining further experience and knowledge of humans.

2. Changes to be Implemented as a Result of the Data Collected:

Contingent upon our full review of the results of the exit interview a plan for change will be developed next year. From preliminary examination, this review will most likely focus on the adequacy of our existing courses in the curriculum and the appropriateness of our scheduling patterns of course offerings.

3. Plans for Ongoing Assessment of Outcomes:

The faculty plan to develop other assessment measurements in addition to the exit interview and to review and revise the exist interview, if necessary, as well as create a comprehensive assessment plan. Ideas discussed for possible other assessment measures include using more direct measures such as exams (local pre- and post tests; possibly national tests), and capstone projects, as well as further indirect measures such as focus groups, grade and GPA patterns, institutional research data, and alumni surveys.