| Learning Goals Perhaps
the central objective of the History major is to instill in students
an appreciation of the color and complexity of history and to create
in them a life-long love for the discipline. Aside from this, History
students shall achieve adequate mastery of the following insights
and skills:
- They shall be able to write a clear expository
essay, in which they develop a consistent argument and marshal evidence
to support an interpretation.
- They shall develop adequate reading skills,
oral communication skills and collaborative skills.
- They will develop basic mastery of a significant
body of historical knowledge in one or more fields of their choosing.
Students will be aware of the achievements of more than one civilization.
- They shall be able to access historical information
through traditional (printed) and new technology sources including
electronic databases, bibliographies and text storage sites; students
shall be able to make qualitative distinctions among history sites
posted on the web.
- They shall develop basic critical skills in
history; be able to identify and analyze fundamental problems of
historical interpretation; and be familiar with at least some of
the “schools” of historical analysis.
- They shall achieve a basic mastery of research
techniques in history, including the use of primary historical sources
both printed and electronic to compose a history research paper;
they shall use citation standards acceptable in the discipline of
history.
- They shall show their ability to place research
findings in a context of broader categories of analysis, historical
schools of thought, and other contexts established by the secondary
literature of the discipline of history.
THE STATE OF THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT 2002: AN ASSESSMENT
REPORT
Prepared by: Jeffrey Dym
Based on a reading of the department’s assessment tools,
the department is doing a great job in achieving its seven overarching
educational objectives.
We are providing our majors with a good educational experience
that is opening their eyes to the world around them and making them
more open minded. We are broadening their historical understanding
while at the same time teaching them to think more critically about
the world. Students are gaining a better appreciation for the history
of other cultures. They are also learning that history is multi-faceted
and that there are many different viewpoints and perspectives from
which one can exam it.
Student’s critical thinking, analytical skills, and ability
to express themselves both verbally and in writing all improved
under our tutelage.
In terms of our senior capstone experience (197), it is clear
that we are doing an excellent job. The assessment committee contacted
over fifteen other universities throughout the country about doing
a comparative study of senior capstone seminar papers. The committee
was unable to find another school to do the project with primarily
because most other universities did not have as demanding a course.
As soon as they found out we had students write twenty-five page
research papers, they backed out.
Most of our majors plan either to attend graduate school or to
enter the teaching profession. Those who want to become teachers
felt that our program trained them well for their future careers
in education.
As for our new offering, history 100, many students indicated
that this was a terrific addition to our program.
Areas that need improving are in advising and course offerings.
Students complained about courses not being offered frequently enough
and about the difficulty of getting into certain courses.
Students were also very vocal about advising. While some said they
had a good experience, many more complained about intimidating and
unfriendly advisors. Many students indicated that because of poor
advising it took them longer to get through the program.
Overall, students had a good experience in the major and gave the
professors high marks in terms of the quality of their classes.
Students particularly liked their seminar experiences. Over 60%
of our majors said that they were pleased with their overall experience
in the major. Only 7% were displeased. Asked if they would recommend
the history major to their friends, 68% said yes, while only 6%
said no.
Let’s keep up the good work.
|
