English Outcomes and Assessment Tools

English Assessment Tools

We have four major outcomes related to:

• language and communication
• critical thinking and reading,
• research, and
• knowledge

They are:

• SLO 1: Language and Communication: Students will use written English and American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate effectively. Aligns with GU SLO 1.
• SLO 2: Critical Interpretation of Texts: Students will demonstrate ability to read and interpret texts critically for different tasks and purposes. Aligns with GU SLO 2.
• SLO 3: Research Competencies: Students will demonstrate knowledge of research competencies and be able to incorporate these in their own texts. Aligns with GU SLO 5.
• SLO 4: Knowledge of major traditions and contexts of literature written in English: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the major traditions of literatures written in English in their cultural, historical, critical, theoretical, and linguistic contexts. Aligns with GU SLO 3, 4.

Assessment Tools

Students will be evaluated holistically at the entrance and exit points to the major.

The seminar papers for English 399 (Introduction to Methods of Literary Study) and English 493 (Senior Seminar) will be assessed by a group of faculty using the English Department’s Literary Analysis Rubric. The Literary Analysis Rubric will also be used to evaluate student performance in all of the major courses.

In addition, focused assessment of Outcomes 4 and 5 will be embedded in English 408 (Multicultural Literature and Perspectives). Course instructors will use the English Department’s Multicultural Literary Analysis Rubric to evaluate a 408 project for knowledge and application of multicultural perspectives.

Focused assessment of Outcome 4 will also be embedded in English 403 (British Literary Foundations) and English 405 (American Literary Foundations).

Course instructors will use the English Department’s Literary Analysis Rubric to evaluate a 403 and 405 project for knowledge of major writers genres, and/or periods. Major course descriptions are listed below.

English Course Descriptions

• ENG 399-Introduction to Methods of Literary Study
  This course examines the terminology and techniques of literary study, with an emphasis on in-depth methods pertaining to analytical and critical essay writing. Basic critical and theoretical methodologies required for the serious study of literature will be introduced. Documentation methods will also be covered.
• ENG 403-British Literary Foundations
  This course will introduce students to the genres, periods, and ideas that make up the literature of the United Kingdom, from the medieval era to the present. Students will read texts and authors that exemplify major trends in British literary history, as well as representative works from multicultural literary traditions. Prerequisite: ENG 399 or permission of the instructor.
• ENG 405-American Literary Foundations
  This course will introduce students to genres, periods, and ideas that make up the literature of the United States, from its origins to the present. Students will read texts and authors that exemplify major trends in American literary history, as well as representative works from multicultural literary traditions. Prerequisite: ENG 399 or permission of the instructor.
• ENG 408-Multicultural Literature and Perspectives
  This course provides students with an overview of multicultural literature in conjunction with the historical and contemporary issues facing each culture. The texts discussed in this course may include Hispanic/Chicano/Chicana literature, African American literature, American Indian literature, Deaf literature, Gay/Lesbian literature, English from the former colonies/postcolonial literature, and others. The course will focus on the techniques and strategies implemented by the authors to undermine and question mainstream attitudes and values through an investigation of questions such as these: What is “minority?” How is identity formulated in the margins?
• ENG 433-Seminar in Pre-1800 Literature
  In depth study of literature in the context of significant theoretical questions. Students will read primarily American and British texts exemplary of key moments, movements, and discourses. Authors writing in English from other cultures may also be included. May be repeated for credit if course topics vary. Prerequisite: ENG 403 and 404, or permission of instructor.
• ENG 435-Seminar in Post-1800 Literature
  In depth study of literature in the context of significant theoretical questions. Students will read primarily American and British texts exemplary of key moments, movements, and discourses. Authors writing in English from other cultures may also be included. May be repeated for credit if course topics vary. Prerequisite: ENG 403 and 405, or permission of instructor.
• ENG 493-Senior Thesis Project
  In-depth study of literature in the context of significant theoretical questions. Students will read primarily American and British texts exemplary of key moments, movements, and discourses. Authors writing in English from other cultures may also be included. May be repeated for credit if course topics vary. Prerequisite: ENG 403 and 405, or permission of instructor.

Achievement Benchmark

In 493, 80 percent of majors will score 3.5 or above on all categories of the rubric; 20 percent will score 4 or above on all categories of the rubric.