History Program Learning Outcomes

A student who graduates with a major in History should be able to:

• Identify major historical periods, ideas, people and events in more than one civilization/culture, such as North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia and explain diversity within those cultures studied.
• Demonstrate historical understanding by constructing interpretations of the past, identifying causal factors, tracing change and continuity, explaining historical development in context, and making meaningful connections between past and present.
• Craft and defend coherent and persuasive arguments, in written and oral forms; write clearly and effectively in a variety of genres, consistently formatting written communication in the predominant style of the discipline (Chicago Manual).
• Find, evaluate and use historical primary and secondary sources (information literacy). Demonstrate ethical standards in research and writing and use sources and craft arguments honestly, fairly, empathetically, and courageously.
• Explain how moral, religious, and ethical developments relate to historical study and how historical knowledge and understanding applies to life outside the classroom.