Philosophy

Assessment

Mount St. Mary’s College has a culture of assessment. This means

Community members share a common commitment to improving student learning and a common language to guide this work.
Students know at the outset what their expected learning outcomes are for the course, the major or program.
Faculty and staff continually assess the nature and extent of student learning.
Lessons about student learning inform curricular, pedagogical, and administrative decisions.
The goal of assessment efforts at MSMC is to improve teaching and learning.
The overall results of student performance will be available to students, faculty, staff and other interested parties on College webpage.

Goal	Outcome
Communication & Research – written and oral expression of philosophical material	Write philosophical essays that includes construction of an argument for a position. Analyze and evaluate philosophical problems/arguments both orally and in writing.
Reasoning Skills – application and analysis of logical reasoning	Analyze, arguments, problems, or case studies in a systematic way that applies logical and theoretical models or tools.
Content Knowledge in the various areas of philosophy – comprehension and breadth of knowledge of the field	Comprehend major philosophical thinkers/theories sufficiently to apply them to real-world situations and different frames of reference. Demonstrate familiarity with basic philosophical concepts and vocabulary.
Application and Value of Moral/Social/Political Concepts – integration of these perspectives into the analysis of problems and issues in philosophy	Apply ethical and social/political perspectives to global and domestic policy issues. Apply and value justice, especially as defined in terms taking the standpoint of the least advantaged.
Values resulting from an education in philosophy	Demonstrate creative/intellectual curiosity and the importance of philosophy as practice.