Learning Objectives

The program affords students the opportunity to investigate the events, issues and controversies that inform the study of history at an advanced level and provides an array of analytical and research skills that will help them become life-long learners who contribute to society.

The program will prepare graduates to:

Describe and analyze at an advanced level the main events, processes and dynamics of change in world history and the specific geographic concentrations required as part of their program.

  • Identify and summarize key events in world history and specific regions and themes, related to specific courses taken by the student.
  • Compare, contrast and analyze long-term processes and dynamics of change in the areas of concentration developed by the student.

Demonstrate critical and analytical skills required for an advanced reading and interpretation of the documents and texts used in historical analysis.

  • Critically evaluate information and sources.
  • Situate primary sources in their historical context.
  • Demonstrate ability to entertain empathetically the diverse viewpoints of individuals and groups, represented in documents, texts and other sources.
  • Articulate an intellectually coherent interpretation of historical events and processes, grounded in documents and texts under study.

Conduct sound ethical research, demonstrating proficiency in information literacy and the basic tools of historical research.

  • Design research objectives appropriate to various assignments.
  • Locate needed information from a variety of sources.
  • Critically evaluate information and sources.
  • Situate primary and secondary sources in their historical context.
  • Integrate information effectively to accomplish the planned objective.
  • Use information ethically and legally, in accordance with the research traditions of the discipline.

Demonstrate an effective communication style in a variety of written formats and in the style appropriate to the discipline of history. 

  • Demonstrate knowledge of specific requirements of an assignment.
  • Formulate an intellectually coherent argument, claim or hypothesis, relevant to assignment.
  • Use multiple, reliable sources, correctly cited to support claim.
  • Use effective word choice, sentence variety and standard written English competently.
  • Demonstrate effective reflection, evaluation, and revisions of written work related to the assignment. 

Demonstrate advanced understanding and explanation of the historiographical traditions and issues that serve as a foundation to the discipline.

  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the basic development of the discipline of history over time.
  • Give examples of the controversies and debates that have divided historians over time, related to specific courses taken by the student.
  • Analyze the issues and concerns that have driven the discipline of history at different points in time.

Demonstrate recognition, understanding and respect for the complexity of diverse socio-cultural and historical traditions.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of other cultures and societies, related to the requirements of the major.
  • Independently analyze viewpoints from a variety of socio-cultural and historical perspectives.