Department of Communication School of Liberal Arts

1. Department of CommunicationSchool of Liberal Arts B.A. in Communication CIP Code 090199 Program Code 140 Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

2. Student Learning Outcomes We have 14 Program Objectives Students will be able to demonstrate the following: • Public speaking • Writing skills • Research competency • Critical thinking • Content knowledge • Newswriting • Photography • Media graphics • Radio production • TV News production • Video production • Broadcast writing • Computer literacy • Satisfaction w/ major Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 2

3. Holistic Alignment of Outcomes Alignment with University, School, and Departmental mission statements, and Plan 2013: [UNIVERSITY] Cameron University … “... provides quality educational opportunities [and]… combines innovative classroom teaching with experiential learning; prepares students for professional success … ” [SCHOOL] The School of Liberal Arts… “… fosters a student-centered academic environment, in keeping with the mission of the University, and is dedicated to guiding students to the highest possible standard of achievement.” Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 3

4. Holistic Alignment of Outcomes Alignment with University, School, and Departmental mission statements, and Plan 2013: [DEPARTMENT] The Communication Department strives… “To offer learning opportunities that develop student intellectual capacities … preparing students for graduate school or a number of communication-related professions.” [Strategic Plan 2013 – GOAL #1.1] “Maintain and enhance Cameron’s commitment to providing programs of the highest quality in instruction, research, and service … ” Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 4

5. Measures of Learning Outcomes Direct measures of student learning objectives: Portfolio review [Standardized assessment rubrics] Performance review Locally developed test [knowledge] Indirect measures of student learning objectives: Graduating senior attitudinal survey IDEA Student Reactions are included in faculty reappointment Faculty Perceptions of Student Learning Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 5

6. Measure of Learning Outcomes Program methodologies that addresses academic shortfalls prior to graduation: [Institutionalized] None. [Non-institutionalized] Informal workshops One-on-one study sessions Group study sessions Emphasis on proper academic advisement Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 6

7. Program goals and objectives Each OBJECTIVE is tracked using data from a number of COMPETENCIES. Ranging from 1 to 8 COMPETENCIES COMPETENCIES are rated using a 9-pt. scale Divided into three RANGES:* Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 * Borrowed from NCA – National Communication Association Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

8. Program goals and objectives P.O. # 11 Demonstrate* effective video production Knowledge* areas measured: Lighting, audio, camera work, graphics, editing, content and length. *Bloom’s Taxonomy These areas were scored on the following four-point scale of 0-3: 0-unacceptable, 1-marginally acceptable, 2-acceptable, 3-excellent. The scale was adapted from Kohl & Wilson (1986). Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

9. Program actions since last assessment presentation WRITING - Our department chose the following strategies to improve scholarly writing: Make clear the ground rules early-on as to departmental expectations [Idea development, Documentation, Grammar, etc.] Emphasize the depth and maturity of reasoning expected at the collegiate level. Provide extended feedback in these areas. Encourage students to utilize other campus writing resources [Center for Writers, library, etc.] - - - - 2008-2009 - 6.3 2009-2010 - 6.7 2010-2011 - 6.9 Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 9

10. Program actions since last assessment presentation RESEARCH - We implemented the following strategies to improve research skills: - Consider adding the Communication Research Course to the Core.* Consider making the Communication Research Course a pre-requisite for some research based courses. Broaden the usage of EBSCO Communication and Mass Media Utilize newly formed committee to review the PR and Speech degree structures. - - - 2008-2009 – 5.8 2009-2010 – 5.5 2009-2010 – 4.9 * New course offered Spring 2010; Curriculum proposals in progress. Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 10

11. Program actions since last assessment presentation 3. Video Production Since changes have been implemented, we will be looking forward to the assessment results in the next year as this is when the students who have benefited from the changes will be participating in the assessment process. So we will analyze and make changes on those results. Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

12. Program objective and measurement PO #2 - Demonstrate effective [scholarly] writing skills [PR/Org Comm emphasis] Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 12

13. Display of assessment data[N = 10 students] PO #2 - Demonstrate effective writing skills [Public relations/Organizational communication emphasis] AVE. 7.7 6.6 7.4 6.9 6.3 6.7 7.0 6.9 COMPETENCIES Statement of Purpose Sentence structure Organization Development of Ideas Grammar Documentation Connectives AVE. 2008-2009 - 6.3 2009-2010 - 6.7 2010-2011 - 6.9 Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 13

14. Program objective and measurement PO #3 - Demonstrate effective research competency [Speech Comm emphasis] Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 14

15. Display of assessment data[N = 5 students] PO #3 - Demonstrate effective research competency [Speech Communication emphasis] AVE. 5.1 4.8 5.0 5.6 4.7 4.6 4.6 4.9 COMPETENCIES Research problem Definition Review of literature Data Analysis Conclusions Implications AVE. 2008-2009 – 5.8 2009-2010 – 5.5 2010-2011 – 4.9 Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 15

16. Program objective and measurement PO #11 - Demonstrate effective video production Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 16

17. Display of assessment data[N = 6 students] PO #11 - Demonstrate effective video production 0-unacceptable, 1-marginally acceptable, 2-acceptable, 3-excellent. Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 17

18. Display of assessment data[N = 6 students] P.O. # 11 Demonstrate* effective video production Knowledge Area - Length Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

19. PO #2 - Demonstrate effective writing skills [Public Relations/Organizational Communication Emphasis] Action plan Ongoing Offer the Communication Research course every year and require as a departmental core course Encourage students to utilize other campus writing resources [Center for Writers, library, etc.] Communicate strict departmental guidelines [Idea development, Documentation, Grammar, etc.]; Provide extended feedback in these areas Spring 2011 Spring 2011 Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

20. Action plan PO #2 - Demonstrate effective writing skills [Public Relations/Organizational Communication Emphasis] Spring 2011 Faculty will examine rubric and examine inner-rater reliability Emphasize the depth and maturity of scholarly writing expected at the collegiate level [in upper division courses]. Ongoing Provide models of exceptional research projects/papers from previous semesters. Spring 2011 COST 1/8 Full-time faculty load to offer the research methods course once per academic year. Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 20

21. Action plan PO #3 - Demonstrate effective research competency [Speech Communication Emphasis] Ongoing Spring 2011 Offer the Communication Research course every year and require as a departmental core course Have a faculty workshop to improve student research writing Have faculty examine research rubric and inner-rater reliability Increase the usage of EBSCO Communication and Mass Media Make the Communication Research course a pre-requisite for research based communication courses. Ongoing Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 21

22. Action plan PO #3 - Demonstrate effective research competency [Speech Communication Emphasis] Communicate strict departmental guidelines [Data gathering and reporting, analysis, implications/critical judgment, etc.]; Provide extended feedback in these areas. Spring 2011 Provide models of exceptional research projects/papers from previous semesters. Spring 2011 COST 1/8 Full-time faculty load to offer the research methods course once per academic year. Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 22

23. Action plan PO #11 - Demonstrate effective video production Based on our data, we recommend the following: Offer remediation to graduating students who did not perform. Develop a capstone course that will provide the atmosphere for providing serious Reemphasize importance of producing a quality project and provide extended feedback in knowledge areas. Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing COST 1/8 Full-time faculty load Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 23

24. Ancillary Action • Provide a room for the Speech Center that is available all day • Assign the current Fundamentals of Speech instructor position to direct the Speech Center, mentor new adjuncts, and coordinate the General Education Assessment data for the department • Propose a new full-time Public Relations position to support future course offerings on campus and online - Propose a new full-time faculty member to teach Mass Communication classes and serve as Production Manager for the new television studio Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

25. Published information on graduates Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011