Every English Department class identifies at lest two of the
seven departmental outcomes as learning goals for students in the
class. An English major will ideally be able to demonstrate a high
level of proficiency in all of the following skills and content; an
English minor should become proficient in most, if not all, of the
department's skill and content outcomes.
Skills
Outcome 1: English majors will be able to write and speak
effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences in a variety of
genres and media.
Outcome 2: English majors will be able to read (analyze, interpret,
critique, evaluate) written and visual texts.
Outcome 3: English majors will be able to conduct research
effectively using a variety of research strategies and sources and
documenting their sources according to standard guidelines.
Outcome 4: English majors will be able to manage sophisticated
writing and research projects, planning, documenting, completing,
and assessing work on time and within the constraints of the
project.
Content
Outcome 5: English majors will be familiar with a variety of
theoretical lenses, learning to recognize them at the 200-level and
learning to use them by the 400-level.
Outcome 6. English majors will be familiar with literatures as
culturally and historically embedded practices. This outcome
includes goals such as familiarity with major writers, genres, and
periods, and technologies of writing.
Character
Outcome 7: English majors will develop professionalism exhibited in
such qualities as self-direction, cooperation, civility,
reliability, and care in editing and presenting the final
product.
Students in all English classes are encouraged to save their work electronically and in hard copy; all students in English Capstone 467 will be required to assemble a portfolio of their work in order to prepare students for future employment or graduate school. The portfolio also functions for the department as the primary means of assessing strengths and weaknesses in the curriculum.
Outcomes are periodically reviewed and updated based on the ongoing assessment of student work. These outcomes were last updated in 2005.