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Classics, BA

Student Outcomes

Assessment of Student Outcomes

Outcome A.1=SLO1 Classics BA: Primary and Secondary Sources

Classics majors are able to critically analyze primary source material pertinent to a research question in the discipline.
Objective 1 In CLA 195, students produce written critiques of primary source material with reference to an introductory-level research question.

Measure 1

2021 Status
Achieved
CLA 195 works well as an online course. Various tools such as journaling facilitated rich discussion even in online contexts. The online format also facilitated discussions with adult learners.

2020 Status
Achieved
Data collection continues via a common assessment rubric.

2018 Status
Achieved
Student learning was assessed in a series of identical assignments in CLA 195 F17 and W18, directing students to analyze primary source material in 4 Reports. 100% of students met or exceeded the threshold.

2018 Status
Achieved
Student learning was assessed in a series of assignments identical to those used in the course in F17 and W18, directing students to analyze primary source material in a series of reports. We chose to continue with this set of assignments F18 in order to gather additional data comparable to that collected in previous iterations.

Objective 2 In CLA 195, students produce a source study (such as an annotated bibliography), using primary sources, that effectively presents and evaluates the relevance of the sources for the proposed project.

Measure 1

2021 Status
Achieved
On a final assignment, students reflected upon the process of analyzing primary source material, and reflected upon issues such as genre, perspective, intended audience, and limitations. Students also considered ways to address those limitations through expanded research beyond single sources. The assignment concluded with consideration of the role of ancient primary sources in personal reflection.

2018 Status
Achieved
In a final Portfolio assignment students were asked to plan revision on two Reports, reflect on the process of analyzing primary source material through description, and reflect on the importance of analytical description.

2018 Status
Achieved
In a final assignment, students reflected upon the process of analyzing primary source material, and reflected upon issues such as genre, perspective, bias, and limitations. Students also considered ways to address those limitations through expanded research beyond single sources.

Outcome A.2=SLO2 Classics BA: Primary and Secondary Sources

Classics majors are able to identify and critically analyze secondary source material pertinent to a research question in the discipline.
Objective 22 In CLA 395, students produce written critiques of secondary source material with reference to a discipline-appropriate research question.

Measure 1

2021 Status
Not Yet Achieved
As part of a literature review and summary, students were required to identify and analyze secondary source material pertinent to a discipline-appropriate research question developed by the student. A majority of students met or exceeded the proficiency score.

2019 Status
Achieved
Students produced three scaffolded written critiques of secondary source material (provided by the instructor for the first two efforts) in response to set research questions.

2019 Status
Achieved
78% of students exceeded the threshold.

2018 Status
Achieved
Students produced three scaffolded written critiques of secondary source material (provided by the instructor for the first two efforts) in response to set research questions.

Objective 23 In CLA 395, students produce a source study (such as an annotated bibliography), using secondary sources, that effectively presents and evaluates the relevance of the sources for a proposed project.

Measure 1

2019 Status
Achieved
Students completed a Literature Review for a projected discipline-appropriate research project of their own choice. The review included annotated bibliography, secondary source critique, and proposal for future research. Peer workshops, at strategic points over the course of the semester, helped students to hit progress benchmarks in assessible ways.

2018 Status
Achieved
Students completed a Literature Review for a projected discipline-appropriate research project of their own choice. The review included annotated bibliography, secondary source critique, and proposal for future research. Peer workshops, at strategic points over the course of the semester, helped students to hit progress benchmarks in assessible ways.

Outcome B.1=SLO3 Classics BA: Greek and Latin Contexts

Classics majors are able to analyze ancient Greek or classical Latin texts using tools appropriate at the 202 level, and apply appropriate knowledge of Greco-Roman culture, history, and literature to the interpretation of Greek or Latin poetic text or texts.
Objective 24 In GRK 202 or LAT 202, students read passages of the target language and perform tasks that measure facility in the analysis of structure and syntax, and of meaning.

Measure 1

2019 Status
Achieved
Targets were met in both 200-level courses. GRK 202: Students were required to translate passages of Homeric Greek, analyze syntax, and demonstrate reading comprehension on a final exam. 3 of 4 students met the proficiency score or better on targeted questions on the final exam. Students were required to complete a written project that demonstrated their familiarity with the Thesaurus Linguae Graecae (TLG), an online language tool. 4 of 4 students met the proficiency score on the TLG project. LAT 202: Students translated passages of Augustan-era Latin, analyzed syntax and diction, and demonstrated reading comprehension on a final exam. 75% of students in LAT 202 (8 of 10) in W2019 met or exceeded the standard of work in the Intermediate High range, as assessed on the final exam. Students were required to complete a written project that demonstrated their familiarity with translation skills and tools. 9 of 10 students met the proficiency score on this project.

2019 Status
Achieved
Students were required to submit a “Commentary Project” at the end of the semester that demonstrated their ability to “chunk” or outline an assigned passage of Caesar; identify the types of grammatical constructions used in the passage; locate the appropriate entries in Allen and Greenough and cite them; locate needed vocabulary in a dictionary and reproduce relevant parts of the entry; and translate the passage.

2018 Status
Achieved
GRK 202: 80% of students in GRK 202 in the Winter 2018 semester met or exceeded the standard of work in the Intermediate High range, as assessed on the final exam. 100% of students met the standard on an essay project in which they demonstrated comprehension of standard reference tools in the discipline. LAT 202: 75% of students in LAT 202 in the Winter 2018 semester met or exceeded the standard of work in the Intermediate High range, as assessed on the final exam.

Outcome B.2=SLO4 Classics BA: Contexts and Relationships

Classics majors are able to analyze relationships between the cultural products of classical civilization and/or cultural products inspired by classical civilization, the context in which these products were created, and the concerns they illuminate.
Objective 4 In CLA 495, students complete projects that effectively employ both primary and secondary sources.

Measure 1

2020 Status
Achieved
All but one student completed a project that integrated both primary and secondary sources. (That student re-took the course, successfully, in Winter 2021.)

2018 Status
Achieved
Students completed two essays in which they integrated primary and secondary sources to address set research questions about the construction of historical events and persons in both ancient and contemporary works. 90% of students met the standard.

Outcome C Classical Studies Emphasis: Comprehension of the products of antiquity

Classics majors in the Classical Studies Emphasis are able to demonstrate comprehension of the products of Greco-Roman antiquity in at least 2 of the following areas of study: literature in translation, cultural studies, material culture, and philosophy.
Objective 5 Students in at least one 300-level CLA course analyze relationships between the cultural products of classical civilization and/or products inspired by classical civilization, the contexts in which these were created, and concerns they illuminate.

Measure 1

2021 Status
Not Yet Achieved
Approximately 80% of students met the threshold. However, we see room for improvement.

2021 Status
Achieved
CLA 315: Products, contexts, and broader cultural concerns are explored through a group project and an individual research paper. 80% of students achieved Satisfactory or better scores.

2020 Status
Not Yet Achieved
We report here on two F2020 courses: CLA 325 and CLA 367. Comparable positive outcomes were observed in both. CLA 325: 18/26 students (approx. 70%) had an overall quiz average that met the threshold. CLA 367: Assignments/Projects/Reports employ both primary and secondary sources in a clear exploration of products, contexts, and broader cultural concerns. Three component scores on the cumulative final exam yielded a total of 100 possible points. "Satisfactory" is identified with a score of 80/100. 14 out of 16 students met the threshold.

2019 Status
Not Yet Achieved
Fall 2019 was the first semester in which this measure was assessed, using the new department rubric. Three written assessments in CLA 350 were considered. 70% of majors met or exceeded the threshold of 4 on the department rubric.

Outcome E Classical Languages Emphasis: Understanding Greek and Latin

Students in the Classical Languages Emphasis understand and analyze ancient Greek or classical Latin using appropriate tools.
Objective 10 Students demonstrate effective use of in-print and online tools in their understanding and analysis of the target language.

Measure 1

2019 Status
Achieved
Students were required to search for words in Thesaurus Linguae Graecae database and analyze their findings. They also searched for and presented secondary scholarship. Assessed via targeted questions on 3 tests, and a free-standing database assignment.

Objective 9 Students read passages of the target language and perform tasks that measure facility in the analysis of structure and syntax, and of meaning.

Measure 1

2021 Status
Not Yet Achieved
While the threshold was met, it is important to continue to work on refining these skills.

2019 Status
Not Yet Achieved
This is the first year in which we have assessed this measure. More data collection is desirable.

Outcome G Latin Secondary Education Emphasis: Comprehension and Production

Students in the Latin Secondary Education Emphasis understand, analyze, and produce classical Latin using appropriate tools.
Objective 13 Students read passages of classical Latin and perform tasks that measure facility in the analysis of structure and syntax, and of meaning.

Measure 1

2021 Status
Not Yet Achieved
see re E.9 in general BA reporting.

2019 Status
Not Yet Achieved
This is the first year in which we have assessed this measure. Additional data collection is desirable.

Objective 14 Students demonstrate effective use of in-print and online tools in their understanding and analysis of classical Latin.

Measure 1

2019 Status
Achieved
Students search for words in the Thesaurus Linguae database and analyzed their findings. They also search for and presented secondary scholarship. Assessed via targeted questions on 3 tests, and a free-standing database assignment.

Outcome H Latin Secondary Education Emphasis: Primary and Secondary Sources

Students in the Latin Secondary Education Emphasis demonstrate critical engagement with primary sources in classical Latin and with appropriate and relevant secondary sources.
Objective 16 Students integrate evidence from primary sources in classical Latin into an investigation of a research topic.

Measure 1

2021 Status
Achieved
LAT 350: Students submitted an annotated bibliography and abstract demonstrating, among other skills, their ability integrate evidence from primary and secondary sources into an argument (the abstract) relevant to the topics of the course. The threshold was met.

Outcome J Latin Secondary Education Emphasis: Products of Roman antiquity

Students in the Latin Secondary Education Emphasis demonstrate comprehension of the products of Roman antiquity in at least 2 of the following areas of study: literature, cultural studies, material culture, and philosophy.
Objective 20 In CLA 395, students identify research questions that engage products of Roman antiquity in discipline-appropriate ways, and identify types of sources (both primary and secondary) that effectively address these questions.