Assessment Portfolio


Portfolio of Student's Work
(for majors only)

Students majoring in African American and African Studies (AAAS) are asked to submit to the AAAS office at the time of graduation the following on computer disk (CDRW):
  1. Final exam or major assignment from AAAS 201 or a 200-level course that satisfies AAAS major requirements.
  2. First and last paper/exam from AAAS 310, the first required theory course, or a 300-level course that satisfies AAAS major requirements.
  3. Final paper/evaluation report from either AAAS 495 (service-learning) or AAAS 485 (study abroad tour in Southern or West Africa).
  4. Major research paper for 500-level topics course.
  5. Major paper for AAAS 545 or 595, the second required theory course, or a 500-level course that satisfies AAAS major requirements.
AAAS majors are encouraged to submit examples of their course work (such as the above) which they believe represents their best effort. It is assumed that this will include exams, major assignments (such as a power point presentation or a report), and analytical research papers. Above all, students are strongly advised to provide various kinds of course work that is a good example of academic excellence and shows their intellectual growth and development from the 200 level to the 500 level.

The portfolio should begin with a Table of Content, a Personal Statement, and a Résumé. The Table of Content should provide a detailed description of the course work contained in the portfolio, beginning with 200 level course work and ending with upper division 400 and 500 level course work. The description for each entry should include the course number and title, and the title of the assignment(s). The personal statement provides an overview of the student’s experience while at Ohio State University, especially in the AAAS major. The personal statement should explain 1) why one chose to major in African American and African Studies; and 2) how certain courses and experiences in AAAS serve as preparation for the next step after undergraduate school (be it for graduate studies or the job market). The résumé is a chronological account (from recent to past events) of pertinent information including ones full name, current mailing address and phone number, a statement of ones career objectives, educational background, employment history, organizational affiliations, research grants and awards, and the names of at least three individuals who can provide references.

In rare instances a student may only have a hard copy of an assignment. Students who have access to a computer scanner are encouraged to scan their hard copies to a computer file (CDRW). Those who do not have access to a scanner may bring their papers to the Undergraduate Coordinator (Mr. Richard Corley) in the AAAS office in 486 University Hall so that they can be scanned to a CD provided by the student. In these rare cases, students are strongly advised to proofread all scanned materials and make needed corrections before the portfolio is submitted to the AAAS office.

Students must submit the completed portfolio (CDRW) to their major advisor for approval and once approved, to the AAAS Undergraduate Coordinator in 486 University Hall during the quarter the student plans to graduate.