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HISTORY DEPARTMENT STUDENT ADVISOR
Dr. Stephen Francis
SS242 (801) 626-6781
Contact Dr. Francis for major/minor declaration, major/minor progress towards requirements completion, career, graduate school questions, etc.
Available during office hours as posted on office door or appointment by email.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY BA DEGREE
The Bachelor of Arts degree includes a language requirement. The Department of History BA Language Course requirements are:
LANGUAGE COURSES REQUIRED TO FULFILL THE BA (12 credit hours)
6 credit hours of foreign language
AND the following language arts courses
HIST 3000 Investigating History (3)
HIST 4990 Senior Seminar (3)
OFFICE INFORMATION
Jenny Eckenbrecht
Secretary
phone: (801) 626-6706
fax: 801-626-7613
e-mail: jennyeckenbrecht@weber.edu
Dr. Susan Matt
Department Chair and Distinguished Professor
phone: (801) 626-7325
e-mail: smatt@weber.edu
College of Social and Behavioral Science Advisor
Seth Wilhelmsen
Phone: (801) 626-7809, SS 138
Department of History
Mission Statement
History is the record of political, social, economic, and cultural events and achievements of humankind. Historians analyze and evaluate this record in an attempt to understand and interpret the present. The Department’s chief goal is to transmit both the content of history and the necessary analytical and interpretive skills to its students. More specifically, the Department seeks as objectives to prepare students for careers in teaching and history-related fields and to provide courses that contribute to the general education and lifelong learning of all students. Through its courses, the Department also endeavors to provide students with models of and skills for civic engagement and dialogue. The Department and its faculty are also committed to creating new knowledge, interpreting historical materials for public audiences, and publishing historical scholarship that advances the field.
The Department provides undergraduate programs for students wishing to complete degrees that include the History Major, History Teaching Major, History Minor, History Teaching Minor, Public History Minor and Social Science Composite Teaching Major. It also provides courses that contribute substantially to the University’s commitment to General Education and cultural diversity, promote a general interest in the study of History, assist students in achieving their college and career goals, and fulfill the state’s American Institutions requirement to promote the development of an informed citizenry. The history Department also is committed to building and sustaining relationships with community members, educational institutions, and the larger public in the region.
Learning Outcomes—History
HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE
I. (Range of historical information)
A. Identify the key events which express/define change over time in a particular place or region.
B. Identify how change occurs over time
C. Explain historical continuity and change
D. Describe the influence of political ideologies, economic structures, social organization, cultural perceptions, and natural environments on historical events
E. Discuss the ways in which factors such as race, gender, class, ethnicity, region, and religion influence historical narratives
HISTORICAL THINKING
II. (Recognize the past-ness of the past)
A. Explain how people have existed, acted and thought in the past
B. Explain what influence the past has on the present
III. (Emphasize the complex nature of past experiences)
A. Interpret the complexity and diversity of situations, events, and past mentalities
B. Compare eras and regions in order to define enduring issues
IV. (Emphasize the complex and problematic nature of the historical record
A. Recognize a range of viewpoints
B. Compare competing historical narratives
C. Challenge arguments of historical inevitability
D. Analyze cause-and-effect relationships and multiple causation
HISTORICAL SKILLS
V. (Develop skills in critical thinking and reading)
A. Evaluate debates among historians
B. Differentiate between historical facts and historical interpretations
C. Assess the credibility of primary and secondary sources
VI. (Develop research skills)
A. Formulate historical questions
B. Obtain historical data from a variety of sources
C. Identify gaps in available records
VII. (Develop the ability to construct reasonable historical arguments)
A. Construct a well-organized historical argument
B. Support an interpretation with historical evidence from a variety of primary and secondary sources
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY ASSESSMENT TOOLS
ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR SENIOR THESIS HIST 4990 (rate 1-5 1 = lowest, 5 = highest)
THESIS __________
STRUCTURE __________
EVIDENCE __________
ANALYSIS __________
LOGIC AND
ARGUMENTATION __________
MECHANICS __________
Questionnaire distributed at the end of each semester to all classes
The goal of the History Department is to transmit both the content of history and the necessary skills to analyze, interpret, and present that information in written and oral form.
Reflect briefly on how well this course, HIST _____________, CRN ___________, SEMESTER________________, accomplished that goal.
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY GRADUATE EXIT QUESTIONNAIRE
We hope that you will provide us with a candid assessment of the History Department and its programs. It is not intended to deal with department personnel or personalities, but the department’s requirements and activities.
a. Where did you secure most of the advisement information regarding general education, major, and graduation requirements?
b. How helpful was this information?
c. If you received most of your advisement elsewhere, how might the department be more helpful in this area?
- a. Has the department provided you with adequate advisement regarding future career opportunities for history majors?
b. What changes/improvements would you recommend?
- a. Did the lower division history requirements for a major (1000 and 2000 level courses) provide a useful introduction to your upper division history course work?
b. What changes/improvements would you recommend?
- a. Were the upper division requirements for majors (the 3000 and 4000 level courses) appropriate and fair?
b. What changes/improvements would you recommend?
- a. Were the reading materials required in department courses both challenging and useful?
b. What changes/improvements would you recommend?
- a. Were the grading standards employed in department courses appropriate and fair?
b. What changes/improvements would you recommend?
- a. Were the oral and written assignments made in department courses both challenging and fair?
b. What changes/improvements would you recommend?
8. a. Do the courses offered by the department cover a satisfactory range of fields, emphases, and time periods?
b. Are any other specialized classes needed?
9. The best/most helpful/worthwhile feature of the History Department is:
10. The feature of the department that should be changed/improved is:
11. Please evaluate the activities of the Phi Alpha Theta chapter. What changes/improvements would you recommend in its activities?
12. What questions/comments do you have that have not been discussed in this survey?