History is the study of the past, a process that produces an ever changing view of the past, not a static picture.  The History Department therefore strives to make every student his own historian, a task encompassed in the CORE GOALS of the department:

A. CONTENT: to acquire a degree of mastery of both essential factual material and conceptual, thematic and comparative knowledge in several geographical areas, diverse cultures, and different time periods in human history, with particular sensitivity to the change over time of a diverse, global society.

B.  THE CRAFT OF HISTORY: to acquire the habit of the many analytical skills which historians use in recovering, researching, and writing about the past; such as constructing important questions, making inferences from primary sources, putting sources into larger contexts, and making one's own interpretations of the past.

C.  HISTORICAL THINKING:  to develop habits of thinking like an historian: e.g., an appreciation for the complexity of both change and continuity over time and in different ages, cultures and areas of the world; an awareness of historical interpretation and historiographical schools of thought; and an understanding of how events and ideas from the past affect the present.

D.  SELF-EXPRESSION:  to become competent, confident, and fluent in the oral, written, and group skills necessary to speak, explore, and write about historical questions.

E.  SELF-DEVELOPMENT:  to become an independent intellectual inquirer into the past, as well as a lifelong learner of history; and to locate oneself and one’s family, community, and cultural traditions in history.

	A student reads about Malcolm X

Comprehensive Examinations: The Written Comprehensive Exam in History is a two day exam that is designed to evaluate the students’ mastery of the core goals of the department. One day asks students to discuss some aspect of history, approach to historical studies, or theories of history with respect to those areas of history the student has studied. The other day generally asks students to act as historians using a selected set of primary and secondary source texts provided ahead of time.

Requirements for a Major: Students majoring in history must complete either History 101 or History 102, both History 497 and 498, and six additional courses; at least two of which must be at the 300 level.  Advanced (300 level) courses may include independent studies.  Students are advised that their performance in 497, 498 and Comprehensive Exams will be enhanced by their familiarity with a variety of geographic, temporal, thematic, and topical areas of the field of history. 

In addition, majors must maintain a portfolio of selected papers they have written for history courses (details are available on the History Department website or from the Department Chair). Evaluation of portfolios will be an aspect of comprehensive exams in the history major.

History majors, especially those planning to pursue graduate historical studies, are urged to gain a proficiency in at least one foreign language. Proficiency is here defined as the ability to read, without undue difficulty, historical works in the appropriate foreign language.  Majors are also encouraged to gain experience with overseas cultures through immersion experiences and study abroad.

Requirements for a Minor: A minimum of five courses including either History 101 or History 102, and at least two 300 level courses, and two other courses of the student's choice.

An Area of Concentration and High School Teaching Licensure in this discipline is awarded by the Teacher Education Program.  For licensure information, please see the Indiana Teacher Licensing Requirements for Adolescent and Young Adult License section.  For information on this specific discipline, see the Content Area Course Requirements for Teaching at the Adolescent and Young Adult Licensure Level section.