History Department Goals

Goals in relation to the university at large:

A. To contribute a range of courses for the General Education program;

B. To provide a curriculum for the study of history as a major discipline;

C. To produce a range of courses contributing to the curricula of interdisciplinary
    programs, such as International Studies, American Studies, Women’s Studies, Greek
    & Roman Studies, and Environmental Studies.

Learning Outcomes for History Majors:

After earning a degree in History at IWU, students will

A. understand the breadth and depth of history by
     1. studying the key historical processes of at least three geographical areas at
         the 100-level;
     2. examining pre-1800 history in at least one course;
     3. engaging in the in-depth study of historical subjects or periods in at least
         four upper-level courses;

B. think critically by developing such skills as
     1. appreciating both the objective and the subjective elements of historical
         inquiry;  
     2. reading, understanding, analyzing, and evaluating texts, particularly
         within their own historical contexts;
     3. discerning causes and effects of events, thoughts and activities;
     4. honing the ability to approach a myriad of facts, and to prioritize and
         structure those facts through the identification and application of
         various historical themes. (Here themes/categories would include, for
         example, thought/ideology, gender, class, race, global relationships of
         domination/subjugation, culture, politics, and economics);

C. research effectively by:
     1. identifying an appropriate research question;
     2. locating appropriate written texts, both primary and secondary;
     3. learning to interrogate one’s sources;
     4. knowing how to borrow ideas from others in shaping and refining one’s
         own;

D. effectively communicate the findings of historical inquiry orally and, most
    particularly, through scholarly writing;

E. critique responsibly the scholarly work of others.