History, B.A.

History Mission Statement
According to its mission statement, Westminster College seeks to help students “develop competencies, commitments and characteristics which have distinguished human beings at their best.” The History program at Westminster College is a central element of that mission and, more generally, of Westminster’s “quest for excellence.” The History program is designed to prepare its students for futures as knowledgeable historians, informed and active citizens, critical thinkers, life-long learners, and as servants of, and contributors to, their communities. The History major will master a range of analytical and critical thinking and writing skills; have exposure to a broad historical literature; and will acquire the skills necessary to read, decipher, analyze, and make use of historical primary sources.
The program offers and cultivates these general goals in two major tracks: pre-professional and secondary education.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to:

1. describe the main outlines of the history of Western Civilization and within that context, and a global context, the history of the United States of America;
2. describe the main outlines of non-Western history (for geographic areas in which graduates have taken classwork);
3. describe seminal events and developments in western history from the ancient, medieval (European), early modern, and modern periods;
4. interpret and analyze primary documents within the document’s own historical contexts;
5. summarize secondary sources and determine their historiographical context/origins;
6. describe the main thematic lines within and approaches to historical writing from Herodotus to the present day;
7. formulate well-articulated historical questions for investigation;
8. write synthetic and logical arguments in response to particular historical research questions;
9. write well-structured essays that are grammatically and mechanically sound;
10. structure and deliver oral presentations that communicate their historical research findings clearly and effectively;
11. demonstrate proficiency with the basic elements of word processing and presentation software;
12. demonstrate effective problem-solving practices/skills;
13. continue reading and engaging historical literature and integrate new knowledge into their daily lives;
14. continue exposing themselves (and their children) to diverse works of art and culture;
15. participate in local, state, and national service and political activities and organizations;
16. advance in their professions and be recognized by peers and supervisors as effective and enthusiastic professionals;
17. be able to identify major features of physical geography for geographic areas about which they have taken classwork.

The program in history is designed to assist all students to develop an understanding of the varied eras of humankind’s social and cultural heritage. As a major, history prepares students to pursue careers in numerous fields where the research, analytical, and presentation skills of an historian are useful. The history major is frequently used as a preparation for professional training in business, law, library and information science, or the ordained ministry. History majors also frequently teach social studies in secondary schools or pursue advanced degrees in history or related fields.

Interdisciplinary Program: Students pursuing an International Studies  major may choose an emphasis in history.

All-College Honors Program: The program encourages eligible history majors to pursue entrance into the All-College Honors Program .