Evaluating the Core Curriculum
The guiding principle of the evaluation process is continuous improvement- a systematic and ongoing process by which teaching and assessment practices are reviewed to allow for enhancements in quality or performance.
Continuous improvement is a necessary facet of being a learning organization and an important part of Purdue’s culture as we look for ways to enhance the teaching and learning aspects of our mission.
The evaluation of the core curriculum is overseen by the members of the UCC and is facilitated by the Institutional Data, Analytics + Assessment (IDA+A or IDATA) unit.
Courses approved to meet Foundational Learning Outcomes (FLOs) are required to submit evidence of learning every three (3) years.
For AY 2022-23, courses meeting the Information Literacy (IL), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Science, Technology, & Society (STS), and Written Communication (WC) Outcomes are due to submit evidence.
Instructors who are required to submit evidence files will be contacted by UCC Leadership. Questions about this process or the submission of evaluation materials should be directed to UCC Leadership.
The UCC recognizes that circumstances beyond the control of the instructor may occasionally necessitate the extension or deferral of a deadline for submitting evaluation materials. In the interest of fairness and equity to all instructors, the request for a deferral must be received as soon as possible after being notified of this process (instructors are notified at the beginning of the applicable term in which their course is offered). Instructors can request a deferral by completing the Deferral Request Form.
Due Dates and Schedule
| Year | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| 2023-24 |
Behavioral & Social Sciences (BSS) |
| 2024-25 |
Year of reflection |
| 2025-26 | Humanities |
| 2026-27 |
Information Literacy (IL) |
| 2027-28 |
Behavioral & Social Sciences (BSS) |
| 2028-29 |
Year of reflection |
| 2039-30 | Humanities |
| 2020-31 |
Information Literacy (IL) |
| 2031-32 |
Behavioral & Social Sciences (BSS) |
| 2022-33 |
Year of reflection |
For more information regarding the FLOs, please visit Expected Outcomes. If you need any more information, please email UCC Leadership.
Departments wishing to remove Courses from the Core should submit a proposal using the 'UCC Course Proposal for PWL' option in Curriculog . Instructions for submitting a course through Curriculog can be found here .
Embedded learning outcomes are included in the core requirements of particular degrees or plans of study and are addressed within courses or activities identified within a specific discipline. The evaluation of teaching and assessment practices surrounding the Embedded Learning Outcomes is accomplished by programs of study turning in a curriculum map or similar evidence material.
The UCC seeks to collect evidence that documents the degree to which the key skills of our ELOs are taught and assessed across your academic program or degree. Our guiding philosophy is that of curriculum coherence- “curriculum should ensure that all students, regardless of curricular choices, have multiple [experiences] in which they learn how the discipline [or field] defines [all of our ELOs]…” and that they receive constructive feedback, via assessments, on their progress in demonstrating the key skills of our ELOs (Suskie, 2009 p.43).
If an academic program is accredited, the faculty in that program will deliberate with the UCC to determine whether the material generated or used from a recent accreditation exercise will be sufficient or whether a curriculum map needs to be created/submitted.
If an academic program is not accredited, a curriculum map will be the evidence material submitted to the UCC.
The UCC will make every effort to make this process as efficient and meaningful as possible. To learn more about the details of this process please review our Companion Manual by clicking here.
Questions about the evaluation of the embedded learning outcomes should be directed to UCC leadership.