The Department of History Learning Goals

Responsibility for overseeing undergraduate education in History lies with the Undergraduate Studies Committee. The committee handles curriculum planning, supervises academic advising for all majors, identifies areas for curricular improvement and development, keeps the faculty abreast of new teaching and advising opportunities and requirements, and evaluates external courses for transfer credit. ​

Learning Goals

Goal 1: Students will acquire a broad introduction to the study of history, while also developing skills in analytical thinking, critical reading, expository writing, and effective communication.

Goal 2: Through the study of history, our majors will acquire knowledge of and perspective on the past, become knowledgeable citizens, and prepare for a broad array of careers.

Goal 3: Students will write critically and analytically. Students will produce critical essays that include a clear thesis statement, proper citation formatting, and the use of primary sources to build a persuasive argument.

Graduates of the History Department at the University of Delaware will have demonstrated the following skills, aligned with eight of the university's ten General Education goals:

1. Students will be able to analyze history/historiography and to apply historiographical methods and approaches to the analysis and interpretation of the discipline.  (General Education Goal #5: Understand the diverse ways of thinking that underlie the search for knowledge in the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences.
2. Students will develop the ability to employ appropriate research methodologies and analyze and interpret sources. (General Education Goal #1: Attain effective skills in (a) oral and (b) written communication.)
3. Students will create, read, and write historical analyses that incorporate issues such as change over time. (General Education Goal #2: (Critical Thinking) and General Education Goal #5: (Understand the diverse ways of thinking that underlie the search for knowledge in the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences.)
4. Students will participate in our foundation course (HIST 268)  and our capstone (HIST 400) seminar. Students will complete a lengthy written assignment that demonstrates competency in thesis statement formation, citation formatting, and the use of primary sources (General Education Goal #1: Attain effective skills in (a) oral and (b) written communication.)
5. Students will acquire knowledge of and perspective on the past and become knowledgeable citizens. (General Education Goal #9: Understand the foundations of United States society including the significance of its cultural diversity.)
6. Students will extend their learning through such opportunities as studying abroad, conducting undergraduate research with a faculty member, engaging in primary research, or completing an internship with a historical site, library, archive, or agency. (General Education Goal #6: Develop the intellectual curiosity, confidence, and engagement that will lead to lifelong learning and Goal #3: Be able to work and learn both independently and collaboratively.)
7. Students will develop academic knowledge and prepare for a broad array of careers. (General Education Goal #7: Develop the ability to integrate academic knowledge with experiences that extend the boundaries of the classroom.)
8. Students will be introduced via our cross-listed courses and to many of the outstanding interdisciplinary programs on campus including Women's Studies, East Asian Studies, African Studies, Latin American Studies, Continental European Studies, Black American Studies, Jewish Studies, and International Relations. (General Education Goal #10: Develop an international perspective in order to live and work effectively in an increasingly global society.)

​Department of History Assessment Plan