Texas Pathways Institute #6Mapping Pathways LearningCadres AACC, 1, and 2

College:

In this assignment, your college will demonstrate how it redesigned the curriculum of a program of study to create a guided pathway. Your team will also map how the pathway curriculum corresponds to program learning outcomes that align with student goals for future employment and/or further education.

Of the essential practices of the fourth dimension of the guided pathways framework, Ensuring Students are Learning, practice 4a and 4c state:

4a. Program learning outcomes are aligned with the requirements for success in the further education and employment outcomes targeted by each program.

4c. Faculty assess whether students are mastering learning outcomes and building skills across each program, in both arts and sciences and career/technical programs.

The alignment and assessment of program learning outcomes should follow the intentional design and mapping of programs, as indicated in essential practices 1a and 1c of the first dimension, Mapping Pathways to Student End Goals:

1a. Every program is well designed to guide and prepare students to enter employment and further education in fields of importance to the college’s service area.

1c. Programs are clearly mapped out for students. Students know which course they should take and in what sequence. Courses critical for success in each program and other key progress milestones are clearly identified. All this information is easily accessible on the college’s website.

Redesigned Programs

1. Which programs of study has your college redesigned to date? Please include degrees and certificates. List programs below or attach a separate document. The text box will expand to accommodate your response.

Advertising & Public Relations AA; Anthropology AA; Biology AS; Chemistry AS; Communication AA; Criminal Justice AA; Culinary Arts AAS; Drama AA; Education AAT; Engineering AS; English AA; Graphic Arts AA; Mexican American Studies AA; Philosophy AA; Physics AS; Political Science AA; Psychological Science AA; Public Administration AAS; Social Work AA; Sociology AA; Visual Arts AA

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In the following sections, describe the changes your college made to one redesigned associate degree.

Program Changes1. Provide a map of the program curriculum prior to redesign. This can be a page from a prior year’s catalog, an older advising guide,

or a similar document.2. Provide a map of the current program curriculum.3. Describe the changes your college made.

For example, if you moved a course to a different semester, why? If you eliminated a course or added a course, what was your rationale?

In the interest of aligning with other disciplines in the Social and Behavioral Science Meta-Major, the Political Science Program made the following revisions to their degree plan:

1. In the Mathematics area of the Core, the options of MATH-1414/1442/2412/2413 were reduced to MATH-1414/1442.2. In the Language, Philosophy, and Culture area of the Core, PHIL-2307 (moved to FOS elective) was replaced by PHIL-

2306. 3. In the Component Area Option of the Core, “any” was replaced with “any SPCH course (SPCH-2335 recommended)”. 4. ECON-2301 was added as a FOS elective.

Mapping Learning Outcomes1. Using table 1 below, map the program learning outcomes for this program of study. Show in which courses a student gains

experience in each skill described by a program learning outcome. A sample is provided.2. Using table 2 below, map the college’s general education learning outcomes for this program. In which courses does a student

gain experience with each general education skill? A sample is provided.3. Describe how the program aligns with on-ramps and outcomes.

a. How does this program of study align with a high school endorsement?

The Political Science Program aligns most nearly with the Public Service HSE, although some students coming out of the Multidisciplinary Studies HSE could seamlessly move into the Political Science Program as well.

b. How does this program of study align with opportunities for further education?

The Political Science A.A. is fully transferable to any IHE in the state of Texas, although the electives in the FOS still need to be individually articulated to apply to the B.A. degree at the receiving institution.

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c. How does this program of study align with careers?

Completing the Political Science program can expand opportunities in, e.g., teaching, law school, and other related areas of public policy.

4. Have you defined specific general education course options for this program, based on program learning outcomes? a. If so, how did you choose those courses? b. If not, why not? Do you plan to discuss specific suggestions in the future?

See above, “Program Changes.” MATH-1414/1442 – for purpose of transfer PHIL-2306 – for curricular alignment with affiliated programs of study SPCH-2335 – course outcomes better suited to further program learning outcomes ECON-2301 – for purpose of transfer

5. Where do you see opportunities for additional improvement?

Articulating the Field of Study will be something of a challenge, as the THECB FOS only requires one (1) GOVT course in the 18-credit FOS, leaving the remaining 15 credits to be individually articulated IHE by IHE …

6. How do students learn of the learning outcomes for their program?

Syallbi.

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Replace the placeholders in brackets with learning outcomes and courses from your program, as shown in the abbreviated sample below. Add or delete rows as necessary.

ABBREVIATED SAMPLE – AAS in Hospitality, Meeting and Event Planning, Tourism: Hotel and Restaurant Specialization

Sample Table 1: Program Learning Outcomes CoursesPLO1: Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communications skills for human resource management and supervision.

HAMG 1321 HAMG 1324

PLO2: Apply management and professionalism skills for guest relations and food and beverage service.

HAMG 1321HAMG 1313

PLO3: Analyze food and beverage inventory, lodging and cost-control practices for standards in the hospitality industry.

RSTO 1325

PLO4: Demonstrate and apply principles of proper food safety and sanitation procedures as well as personal hygiene by obtaining ServSafe Certification from National Restaurant Association.

CHEF 1205

PLO5: Identify marketing techniques and strategies to achieve hospitality industry missions and goals.

HAMG 2307

Sample Table 2: General Education Learning Outcomes CoursesGELO1: Oral and written communication outcomes ENGL 1301GELO2: Information literacy outcomes ENGL 1301GELO3: Mathematics outcomes MATH 1332GELO4: Humanities and fine arts outcomes Any GELO5: Behavioral and social sciences outcomes AnyGELO6: Natural sciences outcomes N/A

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Program: [Program title]

Table 1: Program Learning Outcomes CoursesStudents will design an original research project that utilizes a research method commonly used in Political Science

GOVT-2389

Students will relate their chosen research topic to one or more prominent theories in Political Science GOVT-2389 Students will interpret data results from Political Science surveys GOVT-2304, GOVT-2389 Students will interpret a case study related to one of the Political Science subfields (American Politics, International Relations, or Comparative Politics)

GOVT-2389

Students will compare Hispanic political participation, voting behavior, or public opinion with the political experiences of the larger U.S. population

GOVT-2311, GOVT-2389

Students will collaborate with a professional working in a field related to political science and evaluate how the person’s position relates to Political Science as an academic discipline

GOVT-2389

Table 2: General Education Learning Outcomes CoursesCritical Thinking All Core courses Communication Skills All Core courses Social Responsibility PHIL-2306, Creative Arts

elective, American History courses, GOVT-2305/2306, Social and Behavioral Science elective

Personal Responsibility ENGL-1301/1302, PHIL-2306, American History courses, GOVT-2305/2306

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