Departmental Periodic Program Review AY 2020-2021
Political Science Undergraduate Program
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This section should be written last and will be no more than one-two pages in length. It should be an accurate summary (including briefly: program strengths, weaknesses and opportunities; curriculum improvements/opportunities and assessment of student learning information). These executive summaries are used in the Operation Plan, therefore, they should be a comprehensive program overview.
WHAT ARE THE ASSESSMENT RESULTS, DESCRIPTIVELY? HOW HAVE THESE RESULTS SUPPORTED CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN STUDENT LEARNING?
We overhauled our assessment approach in fall 2018, both in terms of how we do our assessment, and in terms of the PSLOs we use. We used to have seven PSLOs, we now have four. Additionally, we are now using our pilot Capstone course as the means for collecting our data which we only began in fall 2019. As everyone is well aware, that means that Covid interrupted the process for spring 2020 as well as the full 2020-2021 academic year. However, we have been able to glean a few patterns:
- Students struggle with writing. We have known that long before we shifted how we do assessment, but the Capstone course really identified just how much that is the case.
- Likewise, students struggle with developing a question and subsequent hypothesis.
As a result of our limited results, we are fundamentally changing the Capstone course to make it work better for the students. Those who want to write lengthy research papers, but those who are less interested in that will work on smaller projects that will better fit their career objectives. The bottom line is that we are trying to make the Capstone course one that will benefit our students as well as help them with fundamental skills for success.
ILLUSTRATE HOW THE STRENGTHS OF THE PROGRAM HAVE HAD AN IMPACT ON STUDENTS’ PERSONAL, ACADEMIC, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?
One of the strengths of our program is our extensive array of HIPs (high impact programs). Students have the opportunity to travel with faculty, participate in international simulations (EUROSIM), and complete internships at a variety of different levels (national: Washington, DC; state: Albany; local: legal or public service) to name a few. We have had countless students express to us the benefit these different programs have had on their lives. Many of our students who go to Washington, DC for a semester end up remaining there working before continuing with graduate school. One of our former students who spent a semester in Albany has ended up as a Monroe County legislator. These experiences work, and are some of the best opportunities that we can provide our students. Our classroom teaching provides them the foundation they need, and then they are able to “fly the nest,” so to speak, to test out all they have learned.
PROVIDE A BRIEF STATEMENT ON POTENTIAL NEEDS OR RESOURCES, AND IMPACT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS (AND POTENTIALLY, THE INNOVATION) OF THE PROGRAM? HOW WILL THESE HELP MEET THE PROGRAM’S GOALS?
Like all departments, we would benefit from more faculty who can add to the breadth of our program, as well as the service burden that we share among a small faculty. In the past, we were able to help faculty with the excessive expense of attending conferences, but that has been taken away from us with a fundamental change in how we are able to use our budget. While we continue to receive FSA money, that does not cover the cost of one domestic conference (with flights, hotel and registration) let alone any international conferences. Participation in conferences is fundamental to how we remain current in the discipline, and that in turn helps us meet program goals.
WHAT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE THE LAST PPR?
We were able to replace a departing faculty member (Nilay Saiya) with an Assistant Professor with expertise in Asian politics to strengthen and expand our existing course offerings. Dr. Erik French now offers PLS 348 Politics of East Asia. Dr. French has also developed a course focused on the comparative and international politics of Latin America and the Middle East to fill this gap in INS course offerings. Dr. Kachiga has developed a class in African politics in order to expand the geographic breadth of the INS program’s course offerings. Additionally, we are currently piloting a capstone course.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM’S STRATEGY/APPROACH INCLUSIVE AND EQUITY-ORIENTED?
The PLS program emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and equity. Our curriculum encourages students to become acquainted with a diverse array of cultures, perspectives, and the PLS student body is relatively diverse. Our faculty members are also diverse, covering a range of backgrounds, experiences and identities. We will continue to emphasize our program’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
International Studies Undergraduate Program
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This section should be written last and will be no more than one-two pages in length. It should be an accurate summary (including briefly: program strengths, weaknesses and opportunities; curriculum improvements/opportunities and assessment of student learning information). These executive summaries are used in the Operation Plan, therefore, they should be a comprehensive program overview.
WHAT ARE THE ASSESSMENT RESULTS, DESCRIPTIVELY? HOW HAVE THESE RESULTS SUPPORTED CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN STUDENT LEARNING?
The INS program has many existing strengths including its expanding geographic coverage, its global focus, and its high-impact programs and emphasis on active learning. Challenges remain, however, particularly with respect to declining enrollment. The program will continue to seek ways to offset this trend.
Illustrate how the strengths of the program have had an impact on students’ personal, academic, and professional development?
The INS program has many strengths, including its emphasis on active learning and simulations, its high impact programs, its interdisciplinary content, and its global focus. International Studies, by its very nature, is well suited to being relevant in a changing global environment by enhancing students’ understanding of an increasingly interconnected globe. For this reason, the Department strives to ensure that the courses that are offered are relevant to the ever-changing nature of global politics. Combining a demanding overarching global perspective with language training, study abroad, and thematic, regional and disciplinary focuses, International Studies is useful preparation for virtually any endeavor. INS students can find opportunities in many relevant fields including in education, public service, the non-profit sector, and the private sector.
PROVIDE A BRIEF STATEMENT ON POTENTIAL NEEDS OR RESOURCES, AND IMPACT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS (AND POTENTIALLY, THE INNOVATION) OF THE PROGRAM? HOW WILL THESE HELP MEET THE PROGRAM’S GOALS?
Our enrollment has, unfortunately, been declining. This has been true for both freshman and transfer students. The department is currently working to bolster its recruitment efforts and its visibility to incoming students. Additional resources and assistance toward this effort would be welcome.
WHAT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE THE LAST PPR?
The INS program has added a tenure track faculty member with expertise in Asian politics to strengthen and expand existing course offerings. Dr. Erik French now offers PLS 348 Politics of East Asia. Dr. French has also developed a course focused on the comparative and international politics of Latin America and the Middle East to fill this gap in INS course offerings. Dr. Kachiga has developed a class in African politics in order to expand the geographic breadth of the INS program’s course offerings. Alongside the PLS program, INS is currently piloting a capstone course.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM’S STRATEGY/APPROACH INCLUSIVE AND EQUITY-ORIENTED?
The INS program emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and equity. The INS curriculum encourages students to become acquainted with a diverse array of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. The INS student body is relatively diverse with a considerably higher concentration of non-White students than Brockport as a whole. This includes a higher percentage of students identifying as Asian and Hispanic/Latino. Program faculty members are also diverse, covering a range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities. The department will continue to emphasize the program’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.