History 420 Syllabus 2015

Student Learning Outcomes for History 420 connect to the above SLOs for HSU as well as the SLOs for the History Department. The Department's SLOs are noted in bold below and the specific SLOs for History 420 are noted in bullets under each.

Writing. Students learn to develop and support a complicated argument, employ proper paragraphing and transition techniques, and properly paraphrase, quote, and cite sources.
- You will use the writing skills learned in the History-SSSE major in every course requirement. Your writing skills will especially be demonstrated in your annotated chronologies and your standards-based lesson plans that require multiple types of academic writing.
- You will be asked to demonstrate effective communication through written and oral modes by writing two detailed two-day lesson plans and sharing the results of your lesson plan writing in class with your colleagues.
Research. Students learn to create advanced research criteria, use sources in support of an argument, and properly cite a variety of primary sources and create a bibliography.
- You will be asked to conduct solid historial research for most course requirements. The two lesson plans require extensive research involving primary and secondary sources, an understanding of howsuch research can be applied to a middle or high school history course, and a chronological understanding of the chosen topic.
- You will be asked to demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills as well as demonstrate an appreciation for and understanding of an expanded world perspective through the research conducted for the two detailed two-day lesson plans.
Critical Thinking. Students learn to use advanced methods to analyze disparate sources, form original arguments regarding historical events or phenomena, and critically analyze the validity of arguments regarding causality and significance of historical events or phenomena.
- You will be asked to use critical thinking when completing every course requirement, as well as during the discussions that take place during every class period. Your critical thinking skills will especially be demonstrated by creating standards-based and content-rich lesson plans that require students to use their critical thinking capabilities and by reflecting upon the research and writing demonstrated in your portfolio.
- You will be asked to demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills in acquiring a broad base of knowledge and applying it to complex issues through the research and writing of two lesson plans that demonstrate the complexities of writing and implementing the U.S. Constitution and of conceptualizing and implementing U.S. Federal Indian policies.
Historiography and methodology. Students learn about specific complex historiographical changes and debates, about different methods’ applicability and limitations, and about different schools of analysis and their premises, implications, and limitations.
- You will gain a better understanding of what historians actually do by learning the theories, viewpoints, and various perspectives of historians. Your historiographical and methodological skills will especially be demonstrated by creating lesson plans that show how and when historians agree and disagree about causes and consequences of the historical topics under study.
- You will be asked to demonstrate competence both in the knowledge of your historical content and the manner in which you will share and present this knowledge to your colleagues.
Oral Presentation. Students learn to convey complicated information clearly, use appropriate media, and engage an audience.
- You will be required to give an oral presentation of both of your lesson plans to a group of your peers.
- You will be asked to demonstrate effective verbal communication sharing the results of your lesson plan research and writing in class with your colleagues.