STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: A PRIMER FOR DEPARTMENT OF RGRLL

This document is meant to help faculty members revise syllabi to be in compliance with Student Learning Outcomes,
which must be measurable, and assessment initiatives on campus.

A. Measurable Learning Outcomes for Undergraduate (300 level) Courses:

After taking this course, students will be able to:

 Demonstrate advanced writing processes including generating ideas, gathering, evaluating, and organizing
material; drafting, revising, editing and proofreading text.
Developed by: creating and leading class discussions, writing and revising analytical papers.
Typically measured by: in class presentations, mid-term and term exams and papers
 Apply a variety of reading strategies, including recognizing the meaning of words in context, learning to skim and
scan materials, making inferences, recognizing the organizational structure of texts, etc.
Developed by: Reading, discussing and writing about short narrative texts.
Typically measured by: In-class discussion, exams, final paper.
 Recognize the value of multiple perspectives and develop competence in giving and receiving constructive
criticism.
Developed by: Class presentations, individually and in group formats and class discussions
Typically measured by: Exams and final paper.
 Demonstrate mastery of aspects of Spanish grammar, including spelling, accents, and vocabulary.
Developed by: Listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Typically measured by: In class discussions, exams and written papers.
 Identify the literary, cultural, historical, political impact of dramatic works in the Hispanic world.
Developed by: Lectures, discussion, assigned reading materials.
Typically measured by: Writing assignments, exams, quizzes, final paper.
 Comprehend and effectively apply knowledge of Hispanic theater required for literary and cultural studies.
Developed by: Reading literary, historical, and critical texts; and practicing basic information technology skills in
class and outside of class in homework assignments.
Typically measured by: Writing assignments, in-class discussion, exams, papers.
 Learn the terminology related to theatrical genres.
Developed by: Analysis of theater using appropriate vocabulary and socio-historical contextualization.
Typically measured by: Exams, discussion, term paper, oral presentations, in-class writing.
 Apply vocabulary and knowledge of literary criticism as it relates to theater studies.
Developed by: Synthesis and application of literary criticism as it relates to the theater texts read in class.
Typically measured by: Oral presentations, exams, and term paper.
 Apply oral presentation skills as they relate to literary and cultural studies.
Developed by: Interpretation of critical articles and presentation of the findings to a group.
Typically measured by: Individual or small groups to lead classroom discussion.
 Demonstrate mastery of aspects of Spanish grammar, including spelling, accents, proper syntax and vocabulary.
Developed by: Listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Typically measured by: In-class discussions, exams and written papers.
 Integrate and compare the knowledge from this course with other literature courses, such as Spanish 310,
Introduction to Literary Analysis.
Developed by: In-class discussions, papers, presentations.
Typically measured by: papers, oral presentations.
 Compare and differentiate between drama and theater.
Developed by: video clips, in-class acting (performance)
Typically measured by: in-class discussion, exams.

B. Learning outcomes for students in graduate literature/culture course:

After taking this M.A. level course, students will be able to:
1. Effectively apply knowledge of research methodologies required for literary and cultural studies. Developed
by: Reading literary, historical, and critical texts; and practicing basic information technology skills in class
and outside of class in homework assignments.
2. Acquire and practice methods of literary and cultural criticism necessary for all M.A. level work in literary
studies. Developed by: Extensive reading assignments whose comprehension is tested and enhanced through
short essays and a longer research project; creation of an annotated bibliography and research prospectus;
in-class assignments and in-class writing that focus both on assessment of reliability of sources as well as on
logical development of arguments.
3. Demonstrate analytic and oral skills related to interpretation of different artistic and literary genres.
Developed by: In-class discussions of reading assignments; group writing and discussion activities in class;
class presentations; final research project.
4. Acquire and practice self-assessment vis-à-vis individual research abilities to be able to use this self-
awareness for future coursework. Developed by: Initial self-assessment in class; self-assessment as a written
assignment in week 2 of class; follow-up mini self-assessments throughout semester; final self-assessment
in form of portfolio.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the novel as a modern genre and the role of criticism in
deciphering cultural production and social change. Developed by in-class writing and final essay.
6. Identify the relationship between literature and its social context. Developed by exams and final essay project.
7. Identify and analyze connections between different authors and art forms. Developed by short essays and final essay
project.
8. Analyze the importance of literature and art as they relate to their socio-cultural context and to their “universal”
appeal. Developed by short essays and final essay project.
9. Perform close textual analysis as a means of identifying and deciphering the aesthetic, political, and cultural
importance of literature as a means of cultural production. Developed by in-class presentations and writing; exams;
final essay.
10. Demonstrate advanced writing and critical thinking skills. Developed by in-class writing, exams, and writing
assignments.

C. Bloom’s Taxonomy to help with language related to SLOs from http://www.officeport.com/edu/blooms.htm

1. Knowledge: arrange, define, duplicate, label, list, memorize, name, order, recognize, relate, recall, repeat,
reproduce state.
2. Comprehension: classify, describe, discuss, explain, express, identify, indicate, locate, recognize, report, restate,
review, select, translate,
3. Application: apply, choose, demonstrate, dramatize, employ, illustrate, interpret, operate, practice, schedule,
sketch, solve, use, write.
4. Analysis: analyze, appraise, calculate, categorize, compare, contrast, criticize, differentiate, discriminate,
distinguish, examine, experiment, question, test.
5. Synthesis: arrange, assemble, collect, compose, construct, create, design, develop, formulate, manage, organize,
plan, prepare, propose, set up, write.
6. Evaluation: appraise, argue, assess, attach, choose compare, defend estimate, judge, predict, rate, core, select,
support, value, evaluate.