Learning Goals
1. The Discipline
The History Department has a well articulated and straightforward undergraduate major. The goals of the History major focus on the ability to critically assess and analyze primary documents and secondary literature, develop clear and concise writing, enhance critical thinking, expand awareness of different schools of historical writing, research historical sources through printed and electronic media, and develop the ability to draft a research paper using primary sources.
To attain these goals, the History major is led through a four stage program. (see Appendix C) First, in lower division surveys (12 units) the student is introduced to the basic subject matter of U.S. and World history. Next, the student takes History 100 (3 units) and is confronted with basic history skills detailed in the program goals. In the upper division electives (21 units) the History major pursues an in-depth knowledge of broad areas of history with exposure to at least three civilizations: American history, European History, and at least one non-European, non-U.S. history. As a capstone experience, History students then take two senior research seminars (6 units). One is a readings seminar that focuses on the historiography of a specific area or topic, and the other is a research seminar in which students must produce an original research paper roughly 25 pages in length.
2. Writing and Reading in the Major
The major emphasizes writing skills at every level: lower division courses have a minimum writing requirement; in most upper division courses and particularly in seminars, students have multiple writing assignments with extensive feedback from instructors. Research skills—use of printed sources in the library and of computer-based databases and bibliographies—are stressed in all the upper division courses, and particularly in the senior seminars. Reading skills are also essential to success in the field of history, and we do our best to instill in History students a taste for reading and an ability to do it well.
In all history courses, clear and well organized prose is always promoted, supported, and expected. This is made clear to students in course syllabi, course introductory lectures, and throughout the semester. All faculty insist on high quality writing, and we continually remind students that performing well in a history class means not only developing subject matter knowledge but mastering the writing skills necessary to communicate arguments and ideas effectively.
3. Information Competency Statement
The underlying skills taught to History majors are research, writing, and analysis. In order to be a competent historian, a student must understand how to locate the appropriate information, organize it, analyze it, and then describe it orally or in writing. Information useful to history majors is typically in the form of correspondence, newspaper and/or journal articles, and books. This information can be located in archives, libraries, and on-line sites. It is the goal of the History Department to teach students how to locate, organize, interpret, analyze, and describe this information.
Competency in these courses is measured through instructor evaluation of the assignments. Assignments must show clear evidence of thorough research in primary and secondary sources as appropriate, methodical citation based on the Chicago Manual of Style (or abridged versions), and thoughtful argumentation, analysis, and interpretation of historical materials. Grades of C- or better are required for credit toward a History B.A.
