What History Majors Learn

Develop a body of historical knowledge with range and depth. Read and contextualize materials from the past with appropriate precision and detail.

Generate a historical interpretation that is reasoned and based on historical evidence selected, arranged, evaluated and analyzed.

Develop a methodological practice of gathering, sifting, analyzing, ordering, synthesizing, and interpreting evidence.

Communicate a historical analysis clearly and coherently using proper mechanics and citation practices.

Present a historical interpretation in spoken form, support it with evidence and revise it in conversation with others. Engage a diversity of viewpoints in a civil and constructive fashion.

Identify key terms and events and understand the dynamics of change over time.

Formulate a historical interpretation in response to a focused prompt (often yes/no.)

Recognize primary and secondary sources, how to use them, and proper citation practices. Evaluate the relevance of online sources.

Compose short papers in response to tightly defined prompts.

Communicate historical ideas and respond to others. Participation in class discussion is required and/or discussion sections are held.

Specialized study of a field, issue or theme. Place specific events, developments and sources in a broader context.

Formulate an original argument in response to an open-ended prompt.

Evaluate the historiographical value of a source (context, authorship, reception, motives and assumptions, limitations on source reliability) and analyze its relationship to other sources. Identify and evaluate relevant sources in the library, online etc.

Compose a mid-length paper on an open-ended prompt.

Engage other students in civil, constructive conversation around historical questions. Participation in class discussion is a significant portion of course work.

Focused study of a particular topic or question. Engage with a complex historical record. Evaluate the significance of materials documenting particular events; compare and contrast with other sources and contexts.

Formulate an independent research question and answer it with a coherent and original argument and analysis.

Independently search and build a coherent source base around a particular topic or question; evaluate sources’ historiographical value and place them in relation to one another.

Compose a full research or historiographical essay.

Offer original ideas and interpretations; support them with evidence and revise them in conversation with others. Give a presentation or participate in a debate.