Academic Learning Compact: History

The history major exposes you to key issues in the history of the United States, Europe and areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America. You will develop the critical interpretative skills needed to assess both primary and secondary sources in the complex task of thinking about the past. You will master a set of research skills that help you develop your own historical arguments. Significant emphasis is laid on effective written communication reflected in the cogency of arguments and use of evidence.

Additional information is available from the description of this major.

Before Graduating You Must

• Complete the distribution requirements of the major (6 credits in AMH, 6 credits EUH, 6 credits in AFH, ASH or LAH) with minimum grades of C, as graded by department rubric.
• Complete HIS 3942 and HIS 4930 with minimum grades of C, as graded by department rubric.
• Complete 35 credits in history, including at least 26 at the 3000/4000 level, and all with minimum grades of C, as graded by department rubric.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Skills You Will Acquire in the Major (SLOs)

1. Acquire and apply basic research skills learned through use of print and electronic resources of the library and web.
2. Critically assess and interpret primary and secondary sources.
3. Create and develop historical arguments using evidence effectively with clear prose.
4. Produce an effectively written analytical research paper based in research of primary sources, framed within the secondary literature and offering a coherent historical argument supported by evidence.

Table Key: I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types:
Skills-set exam and capstone statement for final project.