Institutional Effectiveness

JAMES MADISON

UNIVERSITY

AMERICAN HIGHER EDUCATION

AHRD 670

FALL SEMESTER, 1999

INSTRUCTOR:

106 Alumnae Hall 540.568.6287

Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on days that University offices are open. Discussions between the Instructor and student(s) are very much encouraged and with some assignments required. Students may "drop by" anytime to talk, but appointments can be made by speaking with Mrs. Susan Linn at 568-6183.

EDUCATIONAL ASSUMPTIONS	CLASS OUTLINE	CLASS SCHEDULE	STUDENT INFORMATION
SHORT LIST OF JOURNALS	REFLECTION ACTIVITIES	HISTORY	LEGAL IMPACT
MAJOR PRESENTATION	BEST PRACTICES	FINAL EXAM	COURSE EVALUATION

CLASS OUTLINE

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The purpose of this course is to investigate the form and substance of American Higher Education. To that end, four learning outcomes have been established. The students will identify additional outcomes. One learning outcome has been established to assist students in discovering more about their learning style.

Students will be able to compare and contrast summaries of the seven major periods of American Higher Education as identified by the Instructor. The summary of each period will include the primary purposes of higher education, key individuals, the descriptors and names of noteworthy institutions, the types of students educated, the curriculum, the roles of the faculty and the administration, characteristics of student life, and the role of government. Students will also be able to list distinguishing characteristics of American Higher Education.
Students will be able to identify at least three United States Constitutional Amendments and five pieces of legislation that have had a significant impact on American Higher Education. For these amendments and legislation, students will be able to state the major provisions; what areas in colleges and universities are most affected, the pros and cons of at least one related major issue; and three specific ways in which the risk of criminal or civil liability can be reduced.

Students will be able to define and describe one major area of American Higher Education, provide a history or evolution of the area, examples of how the area manifests itself in different types of institutions, what the area's trends and issues are and what the future implications are for the area.

Students will be able to select, investigate and ultimately describe a program in American Higher Education that they believe is exemplary. Students will be able to summarize the desired outcomes of the program, how those outcomes are effectively pursued, the specific reasons why they believe the program is outstanding, what assessment/evaluation efforts are in place, what the results indicate and how the results are utilized to improve the program.

Through at least four opportunities for reflection during the semester and through discussions with the Instructor, it is intended that students will gain insight into their own learning and what their responsibilities are to the learning of their peers.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class Participation

The nature of the course demands regular participation and quality contributions from the students. A student who must miss class should, in so far as possible, inform the Instructor in advance. Each class absence will reduce the maximum number of points that a student can earn through class participation by one point. The quality of class participation is determined by the extent to which the student's comments are relevant and contribute to the class gaining greater insight into the issue being discussed.

Reflection

Using the course web site, students will share with the Instructor their perceptions about their learning process in the course and their responsibilities for their learning and for the learning of their peers. Students will also meet with the Instructor to discuss these reflections.

History of Higher Education Presentations

Students will deliver an oral presentation and write a paper on a period of higher education.

Legal Impact Presentations

Students will deliver an oral presentation and write a paper on a United States Constitutional Amendment, piece of legislation, or point of law that has had major impact on American Higher Education.

Major Presentations

Students will deliver an oral presentation and write a paper on one of the major areas of American Higher Education.

Best Practices Paper

Students will write a paper describing an exemplary program in American Higher Education.

All work for the class should be original, done solely for the purpose of fulfilling requirements for this course and no other course. A widely accepted style manual should be used in writing all papers.

Readings

Student presenters will assign readings. There is no textbook.

Final Examination

The purpose of the Final Examination is for the student to have the opportunity to synthesize and present in a cogent manner what s/he has learned in the class and for the Instructor to determine the extent to which the Learning Outcomes have been realized. On November 29, the Instructor will provide students with a copy of the Final Examination. Between November 29 and December 13, students may seek assistance in answering the questions from any source including the Instructor. On December 13, students are asked to come to class (in Harrison A-12) with at least one "blue book" (available in the JMU Bookstore) for each question. Students will be given another copy of the Final Examination and will be asked to write their responses without the use of any resource. The content of the questions will be directly from the Learning Outcomes identified by the Instructor and students.

Class Presentation

Students can make power point presentations in class by going to the Educational Media Labs on the second floor of Roop Hall, giving the staff member a JAC card and in return receiving a video projector and lap top for class use.

Evaluation

The following point assignment will be used in determining a final grade

History oral presentation 10 points
History written paper 10 points
Legal oral presentation 5 points
Legal written paper 5 points
Major oral presentation 10 points
Major written paper 10 points
Best practices paper 20 points
Quality of class participation 10 points
Final examination 20 points

Total possible points 100 points

Grades

Grades will be assigned using the following point totals:

A = 90 or more points

B+ = 86 to 89 points

B = 80 to 85 points

C = 70 to 79 points

F = 69 or fewer points

James Madison University

Division of Institutional Effectiveness

JMU's Graduate School

JMU's 1999 Graduate Catalog