Learning Outcome for Student Completing Major (Program Assessment)
Anthropology undergraduates will:
- Learn the concepts, theories and major findings of anthropology, that is, human biological and cultural evolution.
- Learn the analytical methods of anthropological research, particularly field and laboratory research techniques.
- Learn how to generate scientific hypotheses that can be tested with data from field, laboratory or on-line data sets.
- ARSCI majors will learn the basic field and laboratory procedures needed for Cultural Resource Management (CRM) as recommended by the Society for American Archaeology.
- Acquire informed knowledge of other cultures and diverse ways of life, both past and present and learn how to apply this to the post-graduate, non-university “real world.”
- Develop an in-depth knowledge of one aspect of anthropology that is a specific topical or culture area in archaeological, biological or cultural anthropology.
- Understand the ethical and social implications of and concerns about anthropological research.
Assessment of the Program
Information will be collected on the number of:
- Students with “out of the classroom experience:” field school, research laboratory, – museum or study abroad.
- ARSCI and BANTH majors taking a field school or archaeology lab experience.
- Students competing in Penn State’s annual Undergrad Research Exhibition.
- Students who take study abroad and “other cultures” courses, as stipulated by the department.
- Students who fulfill a specific topical track, as stipulated by the department.
In addition, the department will conduct:
- Voluntary exit interviews of graduating senior majors in their experience in the department of anthropology.