INTEGRATED LEARNING OBJECTIVES for LOWER-DIVISION COURSES
The History Department has structured all 100-200 courses to create the following learning outcomes for students who complete them successfully.
1) Read and learn to distinguish between primary and secondary written texts (sources) in the field of History
2) Identify, comprehend, and explain the structure of written arguments and claims made in specific primary and secondary sources
3) Learn and summarize key concepts presented in course activities and readings through identifying, analyzing, and explaining specific claims or ideas offered in primary and secondary sources
4) Learn and practice skills of critical oral expression and dialogue through interpreting and analyzing primary and secondary sources in small-group and large-group discussions
5) Learn and practice the evaluation of evidence (primary and secondary sources) as a means of forming and supporting a written or oral argument about a historical topic or question
6) Develop the ability to write a clear, cogent, and formal paper that uses a thesis statement to make an appropriate evidence-based argument about a selected topic or question in history (evidence may include primary and secondary sources)
7) Use conflicting evidence when necessary in a paper or in other learning activities to achieve historical accuracy; demonstrate the ability to evaluate and explain multiple, complex sources or ideas when explaining a thesis statement
8) Use proper citations and footnotes within formal written assignments (History papers should conform to the Chicago Manual of Style notes-bibliography format)
9) Develop the ability to determine, within reasonable limits, the magnitude and significance of historical changes that take place within a society or culture.
10) Develop the capacity to recognize diversity, complexity, and the moral dilemmas inherent in the study of the history