Outcomes Data: Master of Arts/Sciences in American Studies (Folklore Specialization)
We have data for the three assessment points below from Fall 2014 to present. Our hard data only extends back to the semester (Fall 2014) that the new Director of Graduate Studies in English took on the appointment.
A. Coursework
- ENGL 6700 (Folklore Theory and Methods) and ENGL 6720 (Folklore Fieldwork) are required for all Folklore students.
- In addition, all Folklore students are required to complete at least three Folklore seminars from a variety of offerings.
B. Thesis proposal and thesis proposal defense (Plan A and Plan B)
C. Thesis and thesis defense (Plan A and Plan B)
A. Student Mastery of Learning Objectives in Folklore Courses
As described in the Assessment Plan portion of this document (see III.A.), students must take at least 30 credits in approved courses in order to earn a Master’s degree in American Studies (Folklore). Below is a table that records the assessment of student performance and mastery of the learning objectives in Folklore courses. Students’ assessment of mastery of the learning objectives is measured by H (high performance/mastery), M (medium performance/mastery), or L (low performance/mastery). Note that 6700 and 6720 are required courses; in addition, students must take at least three other Folklore seminars.
Spring 2021
B. Outcomes: Thesis Proposal Defense
As described above in the assessment plan portion of this document, the thesis proposal is a written document produced by the student, revised under the guidance of the thesis advisor, and shared with the entire thesis committee. Students may be required by the advisor and/or entire committee to revise their thesis proposal multiple times before they are allowed to go to oral defense. The thesis proposal oral defense results in one of four decisions, which is voted on by the entire thesis committee.
Below is a table that records the results of students’ thesis proposal oral defense. Note that students are evaluated in their proposal and proposal defense on learning objectives one, two, and three.
Student Thesis Proposal Defense Results
| Year of Event | Passed without revision | Passed with minor revisions | Passed with major revisions | Failed and needed to completely rewrite and re-sit defense | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2018-2019 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2016-2017 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2015-2016 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 2014-2015 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Additional Comments | Demonstrated high mastery of L01, L02 and L03 | Demonstrated high mastery of both L01, L02, and L03, with minor modifications /corrections necessary | Demonstrated medium mastery of L01, L02, and/or L03 | Demonstrated low mastery or L01, L02, and/or L03 |
C. Outcomes: Thesis Defense
As described above in the “assessment plan” portion of this document, the thesis is a written document produced by the student and revised under the guidance of the thesis advisor and/or thesis committee. The thesis defense is an oral examination of the thesis. The thesis oral defense results in one of four decisions, which is voted on by the entire thesis committee. Note that thesis committee evaluates the thesis and oral defense on learning objectives two and three.
| Year of Event | Passed without revision | Passed with minor revisions | Passed with major revisions | Failed and needed to completely rewrite and re-sit defense | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2016-2017 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 2015-2016 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 2014-2015 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Additional Comments | Demonstrated high mastery of L01, L02 and L03 | Demonstrated high mastery of both L01, L02, and L03, with minor modifications /corrections necessary | Demonstrated medium mastery of L01, L02, and/or L03 | Demonstrated low mastery or L01, L02, and/or L03 | 7 |
Note that all revisions are reviewed by the major thesis advisor and/or the entire committee. Plan A theses are then reviewed for style by the Graduate School.
L1: Acquire knowledge of research tools, methods, and techniques with the aim of applying these in folklore research
L2: Conduct, present, and defend a body of folklore research undertaken during program
L3: Make effective oral arguments in professional settings
Fall 2020
| Course | L1 | L2 | L3 | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6770 McNeill | H=8 M=2 L=1 |
H=8 M=2 L=1 |
7 |
Spring 2019
| Course | L1 | L2 | L3 | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6720 McNeill | H=5 M=1 L=1 |
H=5 M=1 L=1 |
7 |
Fall 2018
| Course | L1 | L2 | L3 | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6770 McNeill |
H=7 M=4 L=3 |
H=7 M=4 L=3 |
14 |
Summer 2017
| Course | L1 | L2 | L3 | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6750 Gabbert |
H=3 M=0 L=0 |
H=3 M=0 L=0 |
H=3 M=0 L=0 |
3 |
Spring 2017
| Course | L1 | L2 | L3 | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6710 Gabbert | H=4 M=2 L=1 |
H=4 M=2 L=1 |
H=4 M=2 L=1 |
7 |
| ENGL 6770 Thomas | H=9 M=1 L=0 |
H=9 M=1 L=0 |
H=9 M=1 L=1 |
10 |
| ENGL 6760 McNeill | H=2 M=1 L=0 |
H=2 M=1 L=0 |
H=2 M=1 L=0 |
3 |
Fall 2016
| Course | L1 | L2 | L3 | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6700 Gabbert | H=3 M=1 |
H=3 L=1 |
H=3 M=1 |
4 |
| ENGL 6770 McNeill | H=4 M=2 |
H=4 M=2 |
H=4 M=2 |
6 |
Summer 2016
No folklore classes offered this semester
Spring 2016
| Course | L1 | L2 | L3 | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6720 Gabbert | H=6 M=0 L=0 |
H=6 M=0 L=0 |
H=0 M=0 L=6 |
12 |
| ENGL 6770 Siporin | Data not available because of retirement | Data not available because of retirement | Data not available because of retirement |
12 |
Fall 2015
| Course | L1 | L2 | L3 | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6720 McNeill | Data unavailable | Data unavailable | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Siporin | Data not available because of retirement | Data not available because of retirement | Data not available because of retirement | 8 |
| ENGL 6760 Gantt | Data not available because of retirement | Data not available because of retirement | Data not available because of retirement | 3 |
Summer 2015
| Course | L1 | L2 | L3 | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6750* | H=8 M=0 L=0 |
H=8 M=0 L=0 |
H=8 M=0 L=0 |
8 |
*Note that this course—the Library of Congress Field School-- satisfies the 6720 requirement (Gabbert)
Spring 2015
| Course | L1 | L2 | L3 | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6770 | H=12 M=0 L=0 |
H=8 M=4 L=0 |
H=8 M=4 L=0 |
12 |
Fall 2014
| Course | L1 | L2 | L3 | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6720 McNeill | H=2 M=4 L=2 |
H=2 M=4 L=2 |
H=2 M=3 L=3 |
8 |
| ENGL 6770* McNeill | Data unavailable | Data unavailable | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
*Crosslisted as ENGL 6480