The Department of History has the following expectations of all students taking courses in the department. These general expectations are in addition to specific expectations (goals and/or objectives) stated in the course syllabus you received from your instructor. The appropriate section(s) of this page therefore constitute supplement to your course syllabus.

1. Students who have completed HIST 1310/1320 will be able to describe a series of causal events leading to a major event in American history.

1. Students who have completed the required hours in the major will understand the characteristics of historical analysis (e.g. organizational principles such topic and theme; overarching emphasis such as social, economic, political perspectives; chronological and thematic narrative approaches; adequate and appropriate use of primary sources).

2. Students who complete the required courses in the major will have mastered the basic skills and methods of the discipline of history (selecting an appropriate topic; formulating a workable thesis; organizing primary and secondary sources in support of the thesis; properly citing sources to support the thesis).

Majors working toward teacher certification will be able to apply historical knowledge and methodologies within the classroom setting. Teachers are expected to instruct students on discerning important historical facts from both primary and secondary sources, understanding the process of causation, and constructing an effective historical narrative.

1. Students completing the history graduate program will have a critical understanding of historiographical trends in the student's major field.

2. Students completing the master of arts program will demonstrate the ability to undertake the writing of a major research paper combining primary and secondary sources.

3. Students in the Public History Program will demonstrate advanced ability to undertake the practice of history in the context of the general public.

4. Students in the  master of arts program will demonstrate an advanced ability to undertake the explanation of historical subject matter in oral form.