A guiding principle behind development and evolution of the First Year Curriculum is that detailed analysis and responsiveness to student opinion promotes excellence in both faculty and curriculum content. Thus, an essential feature of the curriculum is student evaluation of faculty and course effectiveness. Students evaluate the First Year Curriculum using the MUSC E*Value course evaluation software administered by the Office of Enrollment Management and by the College of Graduate Studies E*Value representative, and by selecting the recipient of the Dean's Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.
I. Unit and Course Evaluation
Units in CGS 701/702 and other constituent elements of the First Year Curriculum are evaluated anonymously by students using E*Value. Online quantitative evaluation forms are open to registered students for one week starting on the last day of each Unit. Students are asked to rate seven Unit statements and four Instructor statements (APPENDIX IV). In addition, after each set of Unit exams, students are asked to offer constructive written criticism of each Unit (content, instructors, etc) in an editable text box. Unit evaluations are reviewed by the Course Director, and distributed to individual Unit Leaders, the Associate Dean, and the Dean. In March 2009, students with 90% response rates in Unit evaluations will participate in a raffle. The prize will be dinner for two at the Penisula Grill ($250 maximum) and a subscription to Science or Nature.
II. Student Selection of the Outstanding Teacher
Students elect the recipient of the Dean's Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. Instructor scores accumulated from course Unit evaluations serve to identify a final list of ten candidates for Award. A vote is held at the end of the second semester, and the winner is announced at the year-end First Year Curriculum Student Luncheon.