History

Program Information

Chair: Steve Hoffbeck

Assessment Coordinator: Steve Hoffbeck

Degrees Offered: B.A.

Mission Statement

Department Web Site

Student Learning Outcomes

Reading Comprehension and Cognitive Skills

1. Identify the main point or thesis in a piece of historical writing.

2. Analyze how authors develop their theses and support them with evidence.

3. Recognize and evaluate differences in historical interpretation among different authors.

Historical Thinking Skills

1. Recognize potential sources of bias in historical writings.

2. Understand and interpret events in their appropriate historic context.

3. Understand and interpret relations of cause and effect and other sequential relations.

4. Understand the complexity of human motivations and appreciate cultural differences in patterns of behavior and ideation.

5. Synthesize a variety of evidence into a coherent and plausible account of events.

Research Skills

1. Recognize the difference between primary and secondary sources, and understand the uses and importance of each type.

2. Select and refine an appropriate topic for a given assignment.

3. Identify a variety of different kinds of source materials that could shed light on a particular topic.

4. Use the library and various bibliographic aids to identify and locate different sources relevant to a particular topic.

5. Evaluate which of their sources are the most authoritative.

6. Compile and annotate a bibliography, and present if in proper format.

7. Conduct an oral history interview.

Written Communication Skills

1. Formulate a thesis on the basis of insights gained from research.

2. develop their thesis in an organized and logical progression.

3. Use appropriate evidence to support points.

4. Cite their sources properly.

5. Summarize points made in source materials, and make the connections between different points of view and their own.

6. Recognize the shortcomings of their evidence and anticipate possible objections.

7. Respond constructively to criticism and make appropriate revisions.

8. Write clear and grammatical prose.

9. Critically evaluate the work of other students.

Oral Communication Skills

1. Respond clearly and thoughtfully to questions and comments in class discussion.

2. Draw upon and summarize reading materials in ways that address larger themes an issues.

3. Deliver an effective oral presentation.

4. Critically evaluate the work of other students.

Computer Literacy

1. Produce a paper using work processing software.

2. Use e-mail.

3. Conduct research using the World Wide Web in addition to traditional sources.

Assessment Plans

• 2006 Plan / SLOAC Comments

• 1998 Plan

Assessment Reports

• 2008 Report

• 2007 Report / SLOAC Comments

• 2004 Report

• 2001 Report

• 1999 Report

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