Assignments and Assessments Overview (Additional detail found in Canvas)
- "Hypothetical U" Pre-Assessment (25 points)
Due: Week 2
Design a hypothetical higher education institution, articulating its mission, organizational structure, governance model, and key operational features. This diagnostic assignment assesses your baseline understanding of higher education organization and will be revisited in your final project.
2. Governance Analysis Paper (25 points)
Due: Week 7
Analyze the governance structure of an actual higher education institution (you may choose your own institution, SUU, or another institution of interest). Examine formal governance mechanisms, decision-making processes, and the distribution of authority among stakeholders (board of trustees, administration, faculty, students).
Deliverable: 3-5 page analytical paper following APA format
Assessment Criteria:
- Depth of institutional analysis
- Integration of course concepts and readings
- Quality of critical evaluation
- Professional writing and APA compliance
3. Reading Responses
Due: Throughout the semester (see course calendar)
For each module, submit a written response demonstrating engagement with assigned readings. Responses should:
- Synthesize key concepts from multiple readings
- Connect course material to your professional experience or observations
- Raise critical questions or identify areas for further exploration
- Apply theoretical frameworks to practical scenarios
Assessment Criteria:
- Depth of engagement with readings
- Quality of synthesis and analysis
- Connections to practice
- Critical thinking and questioning
4. Class Discussions and Q&A Sessions
Ongoing throughout semester
Active participation in asynchronous discussions and synchronous Q&A sessions is essential to your learning and that of your peers. Quality contributions:
- Demonstrate preparation through engagement with readings
- Advance collective understanding through thoughtful questions and insights
- Respond substantively to peers' ideas
- Connect theory to practice
- Challenge assumptions constructively
Assessment Criteria:
- Regularity of participation (consistency throughout semester)
- Quality of contributions (depth, insight, connections)
- Engagement with peers (building on others' ideas, asking questions)
- Professionalism in communication
5. Final Project/Post-Assessment
Due: Finals Week
Return to your "Hypothetical U" from the beginning of the semester and revise it substantially based on everything you've learned. Your final project should demonstrate:
- Sophisticated understanding of organizational structures in higher education
- Integration of course concepts (governance, leadership, policy, environment)
- Critical analysis of institutional design choices
- Application of theoretical frameworks to institutional planning
Deliverable: 8-10 page comprehensive institutional design document with:
- Executive summary
- Refined mission and organizational structure
- Governance model with justification
- Analysis of environmental factors
- Leadership framework
- Policy development processes
- Technology integration strategy
- Reflection on your learning (comparing initial and final thinking)
Assessment Criteria:
- Sophistication of organizational design
- Integration of course concepts
- Quality of analysis and justification
- Evidence of learning growth
- Professional presentation and APA compliance
Grading Scale and Point Distribution
Assignment | Points"Hypothetical U" Pre-Assessment | 40
Governance Analysis Paper | 40
Reading Responses | 120
Class Discussions/Other | 140
Final Project/Post-Assessment | 60
TOTAL | 400 points
Letter Grade Distribution
Grade | Percentage | PointsA | 90-100% | 360-400
B | 80-89% | 320-359
C | 70-79% | 280-319
D | 60-69% | 240-279
F | Below 60% | 0-239