Department Goals

Goals in Relation to the University at Large

• To contribute a range of courses for the General Education program.
• To provide a curriculum for the study of history as a major discipline.
• 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:

1. 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, and
   3. Engaging in the in-depth study of historical subjects or periods in at least four upper-level courses.
2. Think critically by developing skills such 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, and
   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. Themes/categories would include, for example, thought/ideology, gender, class, race, global relationships of domination/subjugation, culture, politics, and economics.
3. 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, and
   4. Knowing how to use responsibly the ideas of others in shaping and refining one’s own.
4. Effectively communicate the findings of historical inquiry orally and, most particularly, through scholarly writing.
5. Critique responsibly the scholarly work of others.