Learning Outcomes

History and Political Science Student Learning Outcomes

History Major

Students who graduate with a major in history will be able to:

1. Express historical literacy in a specified field;
2. Interpret primary documents;
3. Sort and weight different historical interpretations;
4. Ask significant historical questions;
5. Demonstrate proficiency in the mechanics of historical research; and
6. Demonstrate competence and clarity in writing.

History and Political Science Major

Students who graduate with a major in history and political science will be able to:

1. Analyze, interpret, and critically evaluate major political issues and/or historical events;
2. Demonstrate familiarity with the major theories and thinkers in the field;
3. Understand the intellectual importance of academic research;
4. Frame research questions designed to produce independent and cogent analysis;
5. Assess, use, and synthesize different kinds of evidence from a variety of academic sources;
6. Understand the difference between opinions and substantiated scholarly claims;
7. Effectively utilize and appropriately cite academic sources; and
8. Write papers essentially free of errors in grammar, mechanics, and spelling.