Interdisciplinary Teaching Malcolm Potts, Qatar University, February Assessment

Program Tasks Basic competencies for all students must be stated in terms that are measurable and demonstrable A comprehensive plan must be developed to ensure that basic competencies are learned and reinforced throughout the students time at the university Each discipline must specify learning outcomes congruent with the required competencies

The Hard Part Program Goals Program Outcomes Course Objectives Course Outcomes

Graded Assignments Every faculty member must set proper course objectives that arise exclusively from the program’s educational objectives and fully encompass all of these objectives

Graded Assignments Tests and other graded assignments must completely capture these objectives Tests Objectives

Program Objective 1 All Environmental Science graduates must have the factual knowledge and necessary thinking skills, which are needed to solve environmental problems through application of knowledge of scientific principles, case studies, research, and cause-and-effect analyses.

Program Objective 2 All Environmental Science graduates must understand the different strategies and techniques available to study environmental issues as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Program Objective 3 Graduates of the Environmental Science program must be able to function effectively in society.

Program Objective 4 All Environmental Science graduates must have the ability to communicate effectively within, and outside, their area of specialty. Given the interdisciplinary nature of Environmental Science, graduates must understand the dimension of issues in areas as diverse as Environmental Policy, International Treaties, Sustainable Development, Environmental Monitoring and Environmental Health.

Example Freshman Seminar

Freshman Seminar Objectives Listen to and view content, and ask appropriate questions. Evaluate the major points of each presentation through oral and written responses. Work in small teams of students. Have the opportunity to be a team leader. Be involved in active in-class debate and dialogue with peers, as well as with the instructor/presenters. Appreciate connections, patterns and relationships within and between seemingly unrelated topics.

Freshman Seminar Outcomes Achieve an holistic appraisal of Environmental Science. Identify interdisciplinary features of Environmental Science. Participate effectively in a team. Participate actively in debates. Define the major environmental issues facing society. Define the major environmental issues facing Qatar and the Gulf region. Exhibit self-confidence.

Freshman Seminar Objectives Listen to and view content, and ask appropriate questions. Evaluate the major points of each presentation through oral and written responses. Work in small teams of students. Have the opportunity to be a team leader. Be involved in active in-class debate and dialogue with peers, as well as with the instructor/presenters. Appreciate connections, patterns and relationships within and between seemingly unrelated topics.

Assessment On A Scale of 1 to 4

Listen to and View Content; Ask Appropriate Questions 4. Is critical of content; asks for clarification when necessary; can place content in different contexts by drawing inferences and through comparisons 3. Can describe the theme of the presentation 2. Remembers the major points of the talk 1. Cannot summarize the major points or describe the theme