History: Learning Outcomes

The history department curriculum is specifically designed to provide the following learning goals and outcomes:

Outcome #1
Demonstrate knowledge of key historical facts, values, and ideas that have shaped civilizations throughout history.
Indicators of Achievement - Graduates will be able to:

• Identify major developments in the history of Western Civilization.
• Demonstrate comprehension of basic historical developments in a variety of civilizations.
• Demonstrate understanding of connections between historical events, ideas, and values over time.

Outcome #2
Analyze primary sources in their historical context.
Indictors of Achievement - Graduates will be able to:

• Identify and gather appropriate primary sources.
• Demonstrate awareness of connections between sources and their historical context.

Outcome #3
Analyze secondary sources and identify various approaches to historical interpretation through critical reading.  
Indicators of Achievement - Graduates will recognize the interpretive nature of history by:

• Demonstrating the ability to read a secondary source to understand an author’s basic argument.
• Demonstrating the ability to explain an author’s approach to a topic and its connection to primary sources used.

Outcome #4 
Construct historical arguments based on primary sources and the historical method.
Indicators of Achievement - Graduates will demonstrate the ability to make a valid historical interpretation based on source evidence through:

• Written assignments
• Class discussions
• Oral presentations

Outcome #5
Demonstrate ability to conduct independent historical research.
Indicators of Achievement - Graduates will be:

• Identify a thesis topic.
• Identify, collect, and analyze historiography on the topic (using library, archival, and other appropriate material).
• Identify, collect, and analyze primary sources on the topic (using library, archival, and other appropriate material).
• Develop topic into a viable historical argument through submission of a formal thesis proposal.
• Based on sources identified, write original interpretation of chosen historical topic.
• Present results of research in both oral and written form.