ASSESSMENT: Department Applied Arts & Sciences Psychology Discipline

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1 MISSION STATEMENT: As a discipline within the department of Arts and Sciences, the Behavioral Sciences faculty is committed to providing quality foundational education in the areas of psychology, human development and organizational behavior for students in both professional and transfer programs. We aim to foster and advance an enduring understanding that the roles of psychology, human development and behavior within organizations extend beyond the individual and transcend cultures. Moreover, we are committed to ensuring courses are structured so that students progress to higher levels of thinking, which includes applying general principles to the broader societal context. GOALS FOR BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES It is our goal to offer courses that provide the foundation for students working on an Associates of Arts Degree, which may include an emphasis in Addictions Studies, Pre- Social Work, Pre-Psychology, and Human Services, and others. Additionally, our objective is to promote the attainment of basic knowledge that is transferrable to the Bachelor s program. A large number of our AA students taking our Behavioral Science courses are going on to major in the Areas of Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Communication Studies, and Education. Accordingly, our primary objective is to prepare these students with an adequate pre-psychology, pre-social work, pre-sociology, prehuman services, or pre-education curriculum. Many of the courses we offer under the discipline of Behavioral Sciences satisfy General Education requirements at The University of Montana. In the Social Sciences we offer Introductory Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Organizational Behavior. New courses, Adolescent psychology and Diversity are being submitted for general education requirements in the area of Writing Intensive. Additionally, the Diversity course is being submitted for approval for the X course perspective general education. As a faculty, we are committed to the quality of our courses, evaluating and assessing general education standards, as well as evaluating and assessing course delivery methods that can continue to enhance the educational experience for our students. Additional courses that will be explored for offerings in the Fall 2013 include

2 Health Psychology, Fundamentals of Statistics for Helping professions, and Ethics for Helping Professions. The Behavioral Science discipline is also offering courses for a Chemical and Addiction Studies pathway in the Associate of Arts Degree. Another goal is to pursue the Prevention specialist offering within the Associate of Arts Degree. We are also offering a pre-social Work pathway. Plans are underway to explore extension of the Chemical and Addiction Studies pathway into both continuing education and post-baccalaureate certification to prepare students to apply for the Licensed Addiction Counselor Eligible pre-licensure credential. Finally, the Behavioral Science discipline is continuing to pursue joint relationships with other departments in the University of Montana. Included is an exploration of a Community Health emphasis area with the Department of Health and Human Performance. STUDENT LEARNING GOALS Our core foundational courses for the discipline of the /Behavioral Sciences are Introductory Psychology [PSYX100S], Developmental Psychology: Lifespan [PSYX230S], Adolescent Psychology [PSYX 238], and Organizational Behavior [PSYX165S]. Many 2-yr and 4-year campuses have these courses as core courses. The following Learning goals reflect our expectations of students who complete these courses, and the demonstration of a basic general education in the Behavioral Sciences. Student Learning Goal 1. Analyze different social/behavioral events using the perspectives of the major theories of psychology and recognize those theories when used by others How is Goal Assessed Observations of human development in the class room/video is analyzed using theoretical application to EXPLAIN observed behaviors. Prediction of

3 2. Explain how research contributes to the understanding of behavior and apply that understanding when evaluating real world situations in the larger societal or cultural context. future behavior based on the current evaluation is also part of the assessment. Students review movies in all the courses and apply theory and critical thinking skills to deliver a written critique of behaviors relationships and bio-socialcognitive interactions. Students also compare and contrast those observations using different major theories. Exams contain applied written questions requiring students to evaluate particular behaviors from several theoretical points of view and discuss the relevancy of each Evaluation of peer review articles and critique of the methodology is required as part of the Psychology requirements. Participation in Research and then evaluating the experience including, but not limited to, validity and reliability of the study, strengths and weakness of the design, and the implications for the world at large for this type of research [generalization]. In addition students are encouraged to

4 3. Recall important concepts and be able to recognize and apply these concepts in various situations, emphasizing application rather than memorization of concepts and theories, stressing critical thinking 4. Have a basic knowledge of psychology so that students can demonstrate knowledge about the interactions of biological processes, environmental contexts, and cognitive processes and those interactional effects on behavior examine cultural/social group limitations of the research and as the potential for biases. Exams are applied and conceptual based, with little requirement for rote memorization. Included are multiple choice, short evaluation and scenario questions. Students have behavior modification projects that incorporate analyzing their behavior and applying concepts to effect change. Introductory Psychology students conduct a dream journal, with a written report of several dream theories and their analysis of the particular theory that meets their world view as applied to their personal dream experiences. Developmental students view television to examine and assess content and its appropriateness for children, including stereotyping and gender issues. Discussion board discussions are provided that promote topics that require application of

5 5. Research, analyze, organize and write a paper using the theories of psychology to modify a personal behavior theories to debatable topics for support or disagreement for nonsupport