Mission Statement and Learning Outcomes

The mission of the History Department is to serve the academic needs of majors and non-majors alike by acquainting them with a knowledge of the past and providing them with the skills to understand and analyze trends, personalities and movements that have shaped events.

As Jefferson so aptly put it, “History by apprising them of the past will enable them to judge of the future; it will avail them of the experience of other times and other nations; it will qualify them under every disguise it may assume; and knowing it, to defeat its views.”

Goals of the Department

1. To allow students to develop a sense of history
2. To encourage critical thinking and the understanding of cause-and-effect relationships
3. To urge the development of clear and persuasive use of oral and written expression
4. To become aware of the diversity and commonality of peoples through history
5. To appreciate the profound story of our collective past in a variety of national arenas and eras
6. To enjoy the pleasure of viewing life in its previous struggles and triumphs
7. To learn to love the life of the mind and the production of ideas

Student Learning Outcomes for History Majors

Students are to:

1. Engage in independent research on an historical issue and provide argument based upon said research
2. Master historical content, revel in the creative process, be a lifelong learner, value democratic processes and understand Western culture
3. Be knowledgeable in the field and model teaching styles (for those in teacher education)