ASSESSMENT PLAN

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

MARCH 2004

 

Mission:

The Department of History at Georgia State University is committed to excellence in the advancement of knowledge through the study of various aspects of humanity's recorded past. Some members of the department explore the rise and fall of empires, while others describe the everyday lives of men and women. The department is interested in every period of the past and all parts of the world. The department also seeks to advance knowledge by examining the principles and theories that influence the writing of history, seeking to understand the forces that have structured human life and the ideas that have shaped the way people perceive and experience their worlds. The department is concerned with change and continuity within societies, and interactions among cultures.  The department pays particular attention to the effect of perspectives and values because the discipline of history involves the interpretation of findings, not just the collection of facts. Through dedicated research, teaching, and service, the department’s work benefits students, colleagues, policy makers, and the public.

 

Scope of Assessment Plan

This Assessment Plan will cover achievements and outcomes for undergraduate majors in history, history graduates, undergraduate students in history courses in the general education core, and graduate students pursuing the Masters and Doctoral degrees in history.

 

I.                   Outcomes and Methods

 

 General Education outcomes provided by history courses in the core

Four history courses, History1111, Survey of World History to 1500, History 1112, Survey of World History Since 1500, History 1140, Introduction to African and African-American History, and History 2110, Survey of U.S. History, are part of general education core.

 

Gen Education Learning Outcomes

 

Goal I. Communication-- Students use writing and speaking effectively for different audiences and purposes.

1.Students develop their ideas in written and oral formats

2. Students use appropriate writing and speaking conventions and formats.

3. Students use writing as a tool for learning.

4. Students communicate orally one-on-one and in group settings

5. Students demonstrate ability to incorporate written and oral feedback into revised work.

 

Goal 11. Analysis of Information—Students collect, analyze, and interpret data effectively in a variety of settings.

1.Students collect and weigh evidence.

2. Students distinguish the relationships among evidence, hypothesis, and theory.  

3. Students draw inferences from written, quantitative, and qualitative  data.

 

Goal III. Critical Thinking-- Students identify important questions and formulate hypotheses and arguments.

1. Students identify, select, and analyze questions.

2. Students use basic mathematical, statistical, quantitative, qualitative, or logical methods to formulate answers

3.Students use their proposed answer to generate and explore new questions

 

Goal IV. Students analyze important contemporary questions effectively

1. Students analyze contemporary issues within the context of diverse disciplinary perspectives.

2. Students analyze contemporary multicultural, global, and international questions.

 

 

Instructors will use course embedded assessments based on performance on exams to assess these outcomes.

 

Undergraduate history majors

 

The Department of History has identified learning outcomes that reflect the core set of skills that we expect students to master.  They include:

 

HISTORY STANDARDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lower Division:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard One: Historical Mindedness.  The student demonstrates (1) an understanding of  history

from a humanistic and world perspective, including an awareness of both individuals and social

groups as creators of history; (2) an appreciation of  the varieties of political, geographical, and

cultural regions of the world; (3) a comprehension of the relationship over time between causes and

consequences, change and continuity, and structure and agency in the past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Two: Multidimensional Analysis.   The student demonstrates an awareness of various

dimensions of history--political, social, economic, and cultural--and is able to incorporate aspects

of ethnicity, gender, race, and class in the explication of these dimensions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Three: Historical Context. The student has mastered  a body of knowledge in American

and world history sufficiently to be able (1) to read, comprehend, recall, and discuss historical

interpretation and data, and (2) to place events and the interpretation of those events in an

appropriate temporal and spatial context,  including a meaningful chronological order and within a

larger scheme of historical evolution and appreciation of historical epochs.  The body of knowledge

includes such themes as  demographic change and migration, social organization and change,

economic organization and change, technological advance, the rise of world religions, urbanization,

political evolution and state formation, intellectual and ideological development, cultural evolution

and cross-cultural contact, imperialism and post colonialism, and globalization.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Four: Texts. Student understands the problems of interpretation associated with the use of

primary and secondary sources and are able to identify and document sources in their analyses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Five: Presentation. Student demonstrates the ability to create, organize, and support in

written form an historical thesis or argument and to engage actively in group discussions which deal

with issues in the field of history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upper Division

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Six: Professional Skills. Student is able to use effectively such resources as the library,

archives, and oral interviews.  He/she demonstrates computer skills appropriate to the discipline.

Student is able to evaluate the relative worth of different types of evidence-- (textual, material,

media, oral, quantitative and statistical, and visual); to exchange information and ideas and present

arguments persuasively; to evaluate and critique different historical perspectives and explanations

within a conversational setting; to listen to and learn from others; and to write clearly, economically,

imaginatively and persuasively about historical facts, issues, and interpretations.  He/she is able to

document sources properly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Seven: Historiography. The student, knowing that history is the interpretation of data, can

demonstrate awareness of conflicting interpretations of the same data.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Eight: Interdisciplinary Awareness. The student knows how to appreciate, critique, and

use material from other fields such as geography, economics, history of art, literature, psychology,

philosophy, statistics, dependant upon their area of specialization.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Nine: Comparative/Global/Transnational Perspective.  The student is able to compare

historical developments/problems across cultural/geographical boundaries, appreciating how

temporal, cultural, and spatial dimensions effect historical responses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Ten: Professional Values.  Student is able to employ methods of historical research and

modes of historical discourse that emphasize high standards of fidelity to evidence, tolerance of

alternative approaches to obtaining, interpreting, and applying historical knowledge, and an

appreciation and articulation of the indebtedness historians have to the work of others.

 

           

The Department of History uses its senior capstone course, History 4990, as the vehicle for assessment.  Prior to completing the capstone course history majors must complete History 3000, Introduction to Historical Studies, and at least four other upper-division history courses.   History 4990 is designed to be writing- intensive, bringing into focus all of the desired learning outcomes set for history majors.  The Undergraduate Studies Committee is charged with reviewing a set of randomly-selected research essays from sections of History 4990 to determine how effectively majors are meeting the department’s desired outcomes and to propose means for improving student learning.  There are a number of advantages to using this assessment method.  First, student information gathered from the senior capstone course draw on accumulated educational experiences and familiarity with specific areas or disciplines.  Second, the research essays do not require additional time for data collection, since student learning information is derived from the course assignment already planned as part of the degree requirements.  Third, the presentation of feedback to faculty and students can occur quickly, expediting programmatic improvement.  Finally, this form of course-embedded assessment is part of the curricular structure and students have a tendency to respond seriously to this method. (http://www.wisc.edu/provost/assess/mauual/manual2.html).

Matrix for Undergraduate in History

 

HISTORY LEARNING OUTCOMES--LOWER DIVISION

 

 

 

 

 

1111

1112

1140

2110

 

 

 

 

 

1. Historical Mindedness

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

2. Multidimensional Analysis

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

3. Historical Context

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

4. Texts

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

5. Presentation

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HISTORY LEARNING OUTCOMES--UPPER DIVISION REQUIRED

 

 

 

 

3000

4990

 

 

 

 

 

1. Historical Mindedness

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

2. Multidimensional Analysis

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

3. Historical Context

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

4. Texts

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

5. Presentation

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

6. Professional Skills

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

7. Historiography

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

8. Interdisciplinary Awareness

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

9. Comparative/Global/

X

X

 

Transnational Perspective

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Professional Values

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

HISTORY LEARNING OUTCOMES--UPPER DIVISION ELECTIVES

 

 

3200

3210

3220

3500

3510

3520

3530

3690H

4200

4210

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Historical Mindedness

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Multidimensional Analysis

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Historical Context

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Texts

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Presentation

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Professional Skills

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Historiography

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Interdisciplinary Awareness

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Comparative/Global/

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Transnational Perspective

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Professional Values

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

4220

4225

4230

4240

4250

4260

4270

4280

4290

4300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Historical Mindedness

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Multidimensional Analysis

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Historical Context

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Texts

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Presentation

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Professional Skills

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Historiography

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Interdisciplinary Awareness

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Comparative/Global/

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Transnational Perspective

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Professional Values

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

4310

4320

4330

4340

4350

4490

4510

4520

4525

4530

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Historical Mindedness

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Multidimensional Analysis

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Historical Context

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Texts

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Presentation

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Professional Skills

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Historiography

X

X

X

0

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Interdisciplinary Awareness

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Comparative/Global/

X

X

X

0

X

X

X

X

X

X

Transnational Perspective

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Professional Values

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

4535

4540

4550

4560

4570

4580

4590

4600

4610

4620

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Historical Mindedness

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Multidimensional Analysis

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Historical Context

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Texts

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Presentation

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Professional Skills

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Historiography

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Interdisciplinary Awareness

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Comparative/Global/

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Transnational Perspective

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Professional Values

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

4630

4640

4650

4690

4700

4710

4720

4730

4740

4750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Historical Mindedness

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Multidimensional Analysis

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Historical Context

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Texts

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Presentation

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Professional Skills

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Historiography

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Interdisciplinary Awareness

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Comparative/Global/

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Transnational Perspective

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Professional Values

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

4760

4770

4772

4774

4776

4780

4790

4800

4810

4820

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Historical Mindedness

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Multidimensional Analysis

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

&nb