General Education, History Goals

The goal of the History requirement is to illuminate the past and enhance our understanding of the present. Students learn about the contributions of past cultures and societies to the contemporary world and their influence on political, geographic, economic, religious, and intellectual institutions, structures, and processes across a range of historical periods.  Students are also exposed to how historians use evidence to interpret the past and are challenged to think critically about evidence, including primary and secondary sources.
I.	Analyze the impact of political, geographic, economic, social, cultural, religious, and intellectual institutions, structures, or processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.  (Global & Cultural Awareness, Critical Thinking)
II.	Identify and contextualize historical eras, events, movements, and trends from a national and global perspective.  (Global & Cultural Awareness, Critical Thinking)
III.	Examine both primary and secondary sources to answer historical questions and distinguish between historical fact, opinion, and interpretation.  (Information Literacy, Critical Thinking)
IV.	Evaluate both primary and secondary sources to determine their value and credibility.  (Information Literacy, Critical Thinking)
V.	Create historical and/or contemporary arguments and narratives about the past by using historical methods and tools while recognizing appropriate attribution and citation.  (Information Literacy, Critical Thinking)

Courses satisfying the History requirement must meet four (4) or more of the above learning outcomes.