Academic Year 2007/08 Assessment Report
Philosophy Department
Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

There are no accrediting agencies for Philosophy.

Philosophy Department

   The departmental assessment committee (consisting of  David Soles, Robert Feleppa, and Deborah Soles) met Sept. 12, 2008 and reviewed the portfolio of student papers (22) for the year, which included papers from senior-level (500 – level) and major courses. The criteria for evaluation are: conceptual coherence, originality, philosophical ability, and level of understanding.  The decision point for assessment is the professional judgment of a majority of the committee.  The committee was unanimous, however, in judging that all papers exceeded expectations.   The committee also reviewed course syllabi and other course material, and found them all appropriate. Additionally, the committee reviewed the department’s record in placing its graduates in professional and graduate programs.  The department continues to maintain its excellent record here.  The department’s placement record is on file in the department.  This year, two 2007 graduates, who had delayed professional school entry for a year, were accepted at the following programs: one student was accepted into the graduate program in philosophy at the University of Nebraska, and another was accepted at law schools at Rutgers, KU, and Washburn, where he was offered the large WSU alumni scholarship.  A 2008 graduate, with a joint major in English, was accepted into the PhD program in English at U. of Colorado, Boulder.  On the basis of its review, the department committee recommends no changes at his time.