University of Washington
Geography 493:  Assessing Geographic Learning
Learning Objectives for the Geography Major
Contents:
Developing learning objectives
Social science objectives
Discipline-specific objectives
What students tell us they've learned


Developing learning objectives

Since 1998, the Geography faculty (with guidance and support from Rick Roth) have been engaged in discussions and decisions about student learning.  We've asked each other:

The curricular modifications have included: Our work on student learning continues -- it's become an important part of how we interact with each other.  As of February 2005, here are our goals for what Geography majors should have by the time they finish studying here!
 


General, social science concepts and skills

Can you explain how you have mastered and used each of these skills?  Employers and graduate schools want to know!



Discipline-Specific substance, concepts, and skills

If you ask our Geography faculty "What abilities distinguish a UW Geography graduate from other majors?" here's what we would say.  But the proof is in the actual capabilities of our students -- can you claim and illustrate these capabilities?


What students have told us
From Winter 2005 through Spring 2006, Geography is undertaking a Study of Undergraduate Learning (Geography SOUL), modeled after the UW SOUL project.  Here are some of the common thematic threads ("What content have you focused on?") emerging from surveys of current  majors, during Winter 2005.  You might use these as you develop language for what you've emphasized during your study.

• social differences
• spatial interactions
• power relationships
• scale and location
• importance of the context of local environment
• linkages between nature and society in health, food sustainability, etc.
• social justice and inequalities
• regional economic impacts and differences
• how public policies affect local populations
• health care and inequality
• globalization and hybridization



copyright James W. Harrington, Jr.
revised 21 March 2005