Student Success/Retention Report

Transcription

1 Department of Sociology and Anthropology Student Success/Retention Report 1. Identify proven strategies that the department currently uses to retain majors. Bullet the identified strategies and provide a brief description of each strategy. Post a curricular map for the degree program in the undergraduate catalog, department website, and within the student handbook (Sociology) i. Each advisor receives copies of the handbook and American Sociological Association career booklets to distribute to advisees. Handbook contains information about the major, faculty, career guidance, upper division forms, and curricular maps. Conduct a course review each year Anth and Soc i. The review for sociology led to changing the curriculum to address major field test weaknesses ; macro skills; critical thinking; and student concerns about specific work related skills. As a result of this review two required and focused course options in the major were added, a new qualitative research methods course was added, and the handbook was redesigned to present more career focused options. Minimum grade requirements were instituted in all required courses. ii. The review for anthropology led to scheduling the four required subfield courses (ANTH 3010, 3210, 3310, and 3410) twice an academic year instead of once. Build student community via student clubs in both sociology and anthropology; AKD honor society (Sociology); informational list serves for undergrads (Anthstud-l and Socugrad-l) as well as graduate students (Socgrad-l) i. Clubs are very active including working to fund community projects as well as conference presentations. Club membership also includes encouragement to volunteer at conferences to gain leadership experience, learning about the nitty-gritty of conference organization and professional responsibilities. Students have been formally recognized for their papers, posters, and volunteer work. ii. All majors and minors are added to the student lists to facilitate department activities, scholarship information, important deadlines, internship/study abroad/work opportunities, etc. iii. Each semester Anthropology offers a portfolio building workshop for majors which are basically centered on what you can do as a major to improve your portfolio. These workshops include information on course scheduling, opportunities for interaction with faculty, etc.

2 iv. Each semester Sociology offers workshops for majors and interested others on such topics as doing research, the ins and outs of student publishing, career development and resume building. Formal involvement of students in faculty research projects as well as their own i. In a typical semester we have at least three students working on research projects that stem from data managed by faculty. Both programs, but Anthropology in particular, have been very successful with McNair and URECA student research projects, most of which are connected to faculty research. ii. Each fall we conduct the Undergraduate Social Science Symposium that encourages students to participate/present research in a professional setting. Optional senior thesis (Anthropology) i. Since 2009, eleven students have successfully completed the senior thesis option which includes a major research project supervised by a faculty mentor and with a minimum of two readers. Each student defends his/her work in front of the committee, the department and guests. Capstone senior seminar (Sociology) i. Now offered in summer as needed for students to graduate on time. Tutoring is available within the department for methods, data analysis, and theory. (Sociology) i. Graduate assistants work with students in a data analysis lab while other assistants are available for support in the required methods and theory courses. 2. Identify new and innovative strategies that the department can use to increase the retention and rates of your majors. Bullet the identified strategies and provide a brief description of each. Expand EXL classes within both anthropology and sociology we have some EXL classes, but the list is limited. Expand online options as appropriate to date we have three online Anthropology courses and seven sociology courses online with an additional three correspondence courses. Both programs are discussing the feasibility of additional online options. Develop senior thesis option for Sociology see Anthropology above. We agree this is a way for research focused Sociology students to develop experience and enhance their competitiveness for graduate school. Expand tutoring options for students added a part time GA tutor for any student in sociology classes Advising workshop for faculty opportunity to share best practices

3 Require students to complete an form with their advisor as early as possible but at least by 75 hours advisor form that keeps student and faculty discussing progress and goals Maintain our own data on majors rate so as to identify potential problems started a list of majors to be updated each semester as to progress and problems. Anthropology does this already.

4 3. Articulate a plan to increase retention and rates of majors drawing from the proven and new strategies so identified. Use the format provided. Anthropology Retention Plan for Academic Majors Retention Goal Strategy Expected Outcome for Student Success Improve academic Clarify and communicate timely progression completion of the degree Professionalization of the students 1) Best practices discussion at faculty meetings in fall and spring 2) Institute use of form to stay abreast of potential issues with students 1) Update the posted curricular maps 2) Review course offerings 3) Post draft academic year class schedule 1) maintain encouragement conference involvement, research activities and senior thesis 1) More consistent quality 2) Timely movement Course alignment and knowledge of such permits timely progression 1) greater appreciation of the discipline 2) achievement of career goals 3) graduate school success By what date Person(s) Responsible Program director, faculty,

5 Sociology Retention Plan for Undergraduate Academic Majors Retention Goal Strategy Expected Outcome By what date Person(s) Responsible Improve academic Clarify and communicate timely progression completion of the degree Professionalization of the students 1) Best practices discussion at faculty meetings in fall and spring 2) Institute use of form to stay abreast of potential issues with students 3) expand tutoring options for students 1) Update the posted curricular maps 2) Review course offerings offer required courses as necessary over the summer 3) Post draft academic year class schedule 1) enhance EXL and internship opportunities 2) develop senior thesis option 3) maintain encouragement conference involvement and research activities 1) More consistent quality 2) Greater academic success for all students 3) Timely movement Course alignment and knowledge of such, along with summer options, permits timely progression 1) greater appreciation of the discipline 2) achievement of career goals 3) graduate school success Program director, faculty,