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For more information, contact the LAAS Coordinator, Professor Donna Chollett, at cholledl@morris.umn.edu.

Latin American Area Studies

UMM Home > LAAS > Assessment

LAAS Assessment

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LAAS DEGREE
Compliance with the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools'
Emphasis on Additional Assessment of Student Learning

Basically, the NCA wants to know if you're learning anything. I have no doubt that over the 2 or 3 years the typical student is enrolled in LAAS, he or she demonstrates significant progress in achieving the three student learning objectives:

Quantifying this or proving it is quite another matter. Towards that end, each student enrolled as an LAAS major will need to do and/or provide the following.

For Objective 1

At the completion of each unit of LAAS 3100, in addition to handing in your journal, prepare a separate typed list of the essays you read. A typical entry would read "Geog Area: Mexico; Source: Proceso (19 May 1999); Subject: PAN and Sonora elections." If you made an oral report on the essay, please place an asterisk at beginning of item, e.g., *Geog Area

For the final semester you're enrolled in LAAS 3100, your journal will not be returned, but retained as an example of the level of sophistication you've achieved.

Your final take-home exam for Hist 1601 will be retained.

The list of topics developed for LAAS 4101, and the final list of topics and books read on those topics you've selected, will be typed up and submitted.

For Objective 2

Maintain a cumulative list of those periodical and reference sources used in preparing LAAS assignments. This list might well begin with those examined in LAAS 3201. To be submitted prior to graduation.

Maintain a cumulative list of Internet sites searched in preparing LAAS assignments. Due prior to graduation.

Submit a list of all courses taken for LAAS major. List should demonstrate that courses have been taken in 3 or more disciplines.

If you have had one or more study abroad experiences in Latin America or internships working with US based Hispanics, please prepare a brief (not more than 1 page) description of that experience and relate how it enhanced your understanding of Latin America and its diverse peoples.

For Objective 3

Prior to graduation make sure an up-to-date APAS is filed with the LAAS coordinator. This will demonstrate your course work which provides a basis for comparisons.

Same as No. 4 under Objective 2, but add comments on how your frame(s) of comparison have deepened your understanding and on how your ability to empathize with Latin Americans has been enhanced.

Same as No. 2 under Objective 1.

IN ADDITION to the above, we'll need to maintain a number of lists (probably will be updated at the end of each semester):

UROPs and MAPs relating to Latin America undertaken by LAAS majors.

LAAS student presentations relating to major.

Honors and awards won by LAAS majors relative to major.

LAAS majors participation in discipline related study abroad experiences or internships.

Return all items to LAAS Coordinator, Donna Chollet