Intentional Outcomes: A Case Study in Curricular Assessment

The Landscape Architecture Body of Knowledge (LABOK) de fines the foundational skills knowledge core competencies expected in students graduating from accredited landscape architecture programs (ASLA, 2004). The Purdue University landscape architecture program uses LABOK as the basis for an annual survey presented to students, faculty, and alumni. The survey provides quantitative information toward understanding student, faculty, and alumni perceptions of learning outcomes and processes across courses and experiences in Purdue 's accredited program. This article describes Purdue 's six-year longitudinal effort at holistic and course speci fic curricular review and revision. Outcomes from process relate to the following: 1) opportunities to support new faculty, 2) generating data on faculty impacts beyond course evaluations for awards as well as promotion tenure support, 3) marketing content regarding curricular focus and reputation, and 4) insights that enhance holistic curriculum for increased student achievement outcomes. The review and revision have led to courses shifting to different semesters, new course content deliverables, and the alignment and integration of content across concurrent courses. Curricular changes stemming from the survey data have resulted in a perception of duced stress and higher achievement among faculty students alike.