Using Curriculum Mapping to Inform Curricular Decisions (English)

An effective curriculum is designed around program-level student learning outcomes (SLOs) to ensure that students have ample and progressively rigorous learning opportunities that systematically develop and deepen the key skills and knowledge. A curriculum map is a matrix that makes visible the alignment between program-level SLOs and the courses in a degree program or major. The complexity of these maps can vary to best suit the needs of a program, but their primary function is to enable faculty to design intentional curricula that systematically build students’ skills and knowledge throughout the undergraduate experience, leading to mastery of program-level SLOs. In this way, curriculum maps can help reveal curricular gaps, weaknesses, and strengths and serve as a catalyst for faculty discussions about aligning and scaffolding courses, teaching, and assignments to effectively support student learning.

Following a refresh of the program-level SLOs for the BA in English by program faculty, the Department of English undertook an initiative to update their curriculum maps for each of their major options. The Undergraduate Studies Committee, comprised of representatives from each option and campus, began by reviewing course-level SLOs from all required courses and aligning these with the updated program-level SLOs to draft revised curriculum maps using a template adapted from WSU’s Office of Assessment for Curricular Effectiveness.

Then, in spring 2024, the department held a curriculum mapping retreat with faculty who teach core courses within all six major options and from all four campuses where the degree is offered. Using a hybrid structure of in-person workshop groups and breakout rooms in Zoom, faculty in each option worked with option coordinators to review and refine the curriculum maps and discuss the alignment of course-level and program-level SLOs.

During the retreat, program faculty also used the updated curriculum maps alongside direct and indirect assessment data to consider changes to course sequencing and degree requirements. For example, faculty decided to fully revamp one of the options and make several changes to other option specific requirements to better advance program-level SLOs.

This effort represents a significant investment by program faculty across multiple campuses toward ensuring that the curriculum for each option leading to the BA in English is intentionally aligned with program-level SLOs to foster an effective learning experience for students. “The curriculum mapping retreat was a major accomplishment for the department, given the scope and breadth of representation across Pullman, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Global campuses,” according to Lauren Westerfield, Scholarly Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies. “While the implementation of changes resulting from this initiative will be ongoing, the effort marked a significant progress in program review and curriculum improvement.”

The process of developing and regularly updating a curriculum map invites faculty to reflect on learning opportunities and expectations for students in the major. For more information on curriculum mapping, including examples and templates, see ACE’s Quick Guide to Curriculum Maps (PDF) and Curriculum Maps Toolkit. ACE is also available to collaborate with undergraduate degree programs to develop or update curriculum maps; contact us for additional information.