Economics
Results of Assessment
2006-2007
(submitted 01/02/08)
The economics department has identified the following
learning outcomes, which have been assessed during the 2006-2007 school year.
- Economics majors will be numerically literate, and possess strong
written and oral communication skills.
- All Economics majors should be able to use statistical methods for
problem solving (e.g., hypothesis testing, regression analysis).
- All Economics majors should be able to use the concepts of supply and
demand to analyze current economic issues.
- All Economics majors should be able to use the aggregate
demand/aggregate supply framework.
- All Economics majors should be able to identify the benefits and costs
of a global economy.
Most assessment is conducted through
in-class assignments including oral presentations, written papers, and
examinations. The following classes were offered during the 2006-2007 school
year and assessment was conducted in each class.
| Outcome |
1010 |
1740 |
2010 |
2020 |
4010 |
4020 |
3110 |
3120 |
|
|
1 |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
4 |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
5 |
x |
|
|
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
Outcome |
3200 |
4170 |
4320 |
4550 |
4560 |
4980 |
Q2400 |
Q2600 |
Q3160 |
|
1 |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
2 |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
3 |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
x |
|
|
|
|
4 |
x |
x |
|
|
|
x |
|
|
|
|
5 |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The department of Economics graduated 11 students during
the 2006-2007 school year.
Program assessment is focused on the Research Method class
(ECON 4980). This class was taught for the first time in 2004-05 and requires
students to design and implement a research project of their choice. For this
capstone experience students typically combine one area of economic theory (e.g.
labor economics) with statistical analysis (e.g. hedonic pricing) to produce an
applied research paper.
ECON 4980 - Enrollment
|
Year |
Number of Students enrolled |
Number of Successful Completions |
|
2004-05 (not required for graduation) |
8 |
8 |
|
2005-06 (required for graduation) |
15 |
10 |
|
2006-07 (required for graduation) |
14 |
8 |
Each student who successfully completed the class made an
oral presentation (Learning Outcome 1) that was attended by the entire economics
faculty. All students (except one) used some type of statistical analysis
(Learning Outcome 2). All students had a section on economic theory (Learning
Outcomes 3 or 4). During the year 2006-07 economics faculty completed an
assessment survey of each student presentation (See the appendix). Preliminary
review of the completed surveys indicates that students who successfully
complete ECON 4980 showed a satisfactory competence level of learning outcomes 1
and 2. Since students generally chose research projects that draw on
microeconomic theory, students demonstrated competence with respect to learning
outcome 3.
Students who do not complete the class struggle to come up
with a viable project, falter in finding suitable data or simply underestimate
the time required to complete the research project. The economics faculty will
refine the assessment plan to investigate how to increase the completion rate
for ECON 4980.
Appendix
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes – Department of
Economics
Fall 2007
Presentation
Title:__________________________________
-
Economics majors will be numerically literate,
and possess strong written and oral communication skills. Every student will
have prepared papers which combine numerical data with the written word and
have an opportunity to orally present their ideas.
Sufficient
__________ Neutral
__________
Insufficient __________
Comment:
-
All business students will be able to identify
the costs and benefits of a global economy, i.e., the free movement of
goods, services, capital and people across national borders, in the context
of a variety of international monetary arrangements (e.g., fixed versus
flexible exchange rates).
Sufficient
__________ Neutral
__________
Insufficient __________
Comment:
-
All economics, as well as business majors,
should be able to use statistical methods for problem solving (e.g.,
hypothesis testing, regression analysis).
Sufficient
__________ Neutral
__________
Insufficient __________
Comment:
-
All economics, as well as business majors,
should be able to use the concept of supply and demand to analyze the
current economic issues of the day. Students should understand the workings
of a perfectly competitive market and variations in market outcomes when
market imperfections (e.g., externalities, public goods) or interventions
(taxes, other government regulations) are present.
Sufficient
__________ Neutral
__________
Insufficient __________
Comment:
-
All economics, as well as business majors,
should be able to use the aggregate demand/aggregate supply framework for
short-run and long-run analysis of macroeconomic changes on price levels and
national output (GDP).
Sufficient
__________ Neutral
__________
Insufficient __________
Comment:
Faculty Name:
______________________________________________________
Mission
Statement /
Student
Learning Outcomes /
Curriculum
Grid /
Assessment Plan
/ Contact Person
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