Capstones and Competency across the Anthropology Major: Assessment of Student Learning with an Archaeological Case Study

Summary

In this poster, we examine ways in which an archaeological case study can usefully serve multiple purposes in the assessment of undergraduate student learning. In the context of our senior capstone course, we have developed a three-tiered assessment plan for examining effective learning outcomes at the course, program and general education ("Essential Studies") levels. The assignment, based on real events and surrounding controversy, asks our capstone students to reflect deeply on ethical issues, community engagement, diversity of perspectives, policy implementation, historic preservation, and archaeological responsibility. Using both direct and indirect assessment tools, we are able to address the following Anthropology program and general education learning goals: awareness of global diversity, holistic and critical thinking about local and global problems, anthropological research design, understanding sources of cultural variation, communication about anthropological theory, and ethics. Data from four years of capstone assessment will be summarized and graphically presented.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

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