HIST 35B: Chinese history
Stage 5
Laurene McClain

Basic Information

Number of Outcomes15
Number of Outcomes Assessed4
Assessment FrequencyEvery semester
Analysis FrequencyEvery semester
Detail LinkLink

Course Information

Number of Course Sections1
Number of Instructors1

Improvement Details

DetailsIn addition to quizzes, midterm exams, and worksheets, the instructor required that all students complete an essay on the following topic:

"The United States should have given aid to the Chinese Communist Party rather than to Chiang Kaishek's government during the war against Japan." Do you agree with this quotation? Be sure to support your conclusion with as much evidence as possible.

Assessment Methods

MethodsIn addition to quizzes, midterm exams, and worksheets, the instructor required that all students write an essay on the following topic: "The United States should have given aid to the Chinese Communist Party, rather than to Chiang Kaishek's government during the war against Japan." Do you agree with this quotation? Be sure to support your conclusion with as much evidence as possible. This assignment fulfilled the institutional critical thinking SLO and the program SLO which evaluated the students' ability to critically analyze, evaluated and synthesize historical evidence and interpretations and to use methods of inquiry and expression appropriate to the course. The essay also determined whether or not the students met the course SLO of analyzing American foreign policy towards China during the Sino-Japanese War and beyond.

Assessment Data Discussion and Analysis

TermFall 2013
How and With Whomfaculty in the same program
Number Assessed20
Data SummaryI evaluated the essay using a scale of 1 to 6, with 6 exhibiting exemplary ability to critically analyze, evaluate and synthesize historical evidence and interpretations and to use methods of inquiry and expression appropriate to the course. None of my students scored "1"; one student scored "2"; three students scored "3"; five students scored "4"; six students scored "5"; and five students scored "6". The average score of students was "4.6." The benchmark goal was to have at least 70% score a "4." That benchmark was met.
Planned ImprovementsI plan to give additional writing assignments. While the students knew the facts well, some had difficulty stating an opinion or conclusion. I would need to distribute some of the "exemplary" essays (without the names of the authors) and have the students state why these essays expressed their conclusions well with as many supporting evidence as possible.
Program Review LinkNo answer

Future Plans

Termcourse not offered in the future
ActivitiesNo plans since the course will not be offered in the near future.
DetailsSee responses above.
HighlightsWhile I had doubts that ESL students could complete the writing assignment well, many of them were able to write excellent essays. While I needed to correct spelling and grammar, the essays' content showed that many of the students could satisfy the SLOs being evaluated.

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