Outcomes Assessment in Art History

Assessment Coordinator: Dr. Och

Good writing is essential in all professions and central to our work as art historians. The Art History program strengthens this skill through class assignments based on exemplary and critical readings in the discipline, review of students’ work, and mentoring. Our program documents student writing by compiling writing portfolios for students who complete an individual study (ARTH 491 or ARTH 492).

The Art History program assessment of writing:

  1. Each student who applies to do an individual study submits as part of that application a writing sample produced in any 100- or 200-level course; this paper may be from a discipline other than Art History.
  2. Art History faculty will review the writing sample produced in the 100- or 200-level course and the student’s preliminary work on this topic from a 300-level course with the applicant and make recommendations on research, methodology, direction, and writing.
  3. Art History faculty will compare these earlier writing samples with the completed individual study paper to assess a student’s progress.

Please read “Individual Study: Art History” on the Department’s website for further information.