1. Summary of Data Collected:

In 1998-99, there were three areas in which data were collected in Sociology: (1) Exit Interviews, (2) Pre- and Post-tests in Contemporary Sociological Theory (SOCLGY 4030), and (3) samples of scientific term papers written in Juvenile Delinquency (SOCLGY 3250). For 1999-00 two areas were selected to collect data for assessment: (1)Exit Interviews and (2) Writing Rubrics and Student Papers. In 2000-2001 an Exit Interview was slightly revised and administered to graduating seniors. Results of this interview are presented and interpreted here.

Results of 2001 Exit Interviews of Sociology Graduating Majors and Minors: Of the 31 majors and 41 minors in Sociology (72 total) who graduated in 2000-2001, 13 returned exit questionnaires by June 1, but only 8 completed the survey for an 11% response rate. Because of this low response rate, meaningful patterns cannot be inferred from this data. Some of the results of the survey follow.

a. Most students chose sociology as a major or minor primarily in either their sophomore or junior year (62%).

b. 37.5% of respondents chose the generalist track, rather than an emphasis. 37.5% of respondents chose the criminology and deviance emphasis, while 25% chose the organizational studies emphasis.

c. Of the students who chose an emphasis area, 80% chose it because of personal interest. The other 20% chose their emphasis area because it worked with their schedule for graduation.

d. Students were asked their skill level in writing, analytical thinking, problem solving, statistical skills, computer skills, discipline specific knowledge in theory, concepts, and research, and an appreciation of other cultures, before and after taking upper division sociology course work. Without exception they responded that their skills in these areas had improved.

e. The majority of students rated sociology core courses as high in having them understand sociological research (66.7%), concepts (85.7%), and theories (71.4%).

f. 75% of students plan to go to graduate school sometime in the future. 25% were undecided at this time.

g. Students were overwhelmingly satisfied with faculty concern about them (100%) and with faculty (100%) and staff (87.5%) assistance and advisement.

h. Camaraderie among students continues to be high, with 62.5% having a feeling of camaraderie.

i. Of the responding 8 students, 5 were majors, and 3 were minors.

j. Of the responding 8 students, 2 were male and 6 were female.

k. Of the responding 8 students, 4 were traditional students and 4 were non-traditional students.

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

Changes based on data from the 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-01 Exit Interviews: The Sociology program faculty have engaged in a three-year long discussion on how to better serve the needs of the students and keep the program focused on its goals. The results of the exit interviews indicated that students generally selected the generalist track (see item #b in the results above). With students increasingly choosing the general track, the faculty recognized that there should be a reduction of emphasis areas in the program and greater emphasis placed on the generalist track. Consequently, the following changes were made this year in program structure and curriculum based on assessment feedback. The structure of the program was modestly altered by eliminating the selection of emphasis areas and converting to a single-track program with core requirements and electives for students to select. Also, two courses were combined in the curriculum (Soclgy 3020 - Social Organization with 3550 - Complex Organization) and renamed as Organization in Society; Soclgy 3300 (Environmental Sociology) was renamed as Environment and Society; one course was deleted (Soclgy 4850- Demography: Population & Society); and a new course was added (Soclgy 3430 - Medicine & Healthcare in Society).

Otherwise, other assessment data collected indicate that the program is doing well in achieving its mission and goals and no further changes are immediately anticipated.

3. Plans for Ongoing Assessment of Outcomes:

a. Exit Interviews: The interview instrument will continue to be used but revised to better measure student outcomes. Both Autumn and Spring graduates will be interviewed in 2001-2002.

b. Other: Further plans include developing some other strategies for assessing learning outcomes of specific courses (e.g., internships, sociology theory), as well as developing new student outcomes to be measured in the upcoming year.