Together, the introduction of a New Registered Track in History, the development of new Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs), and the ongoing redevelopment of our course-level Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), have encouraged historians in the Department of Global Studies to re-examine what and how we teach.  Specifically, as a Department, we have agreed to focus greater attention to preparing students to comprehend, interpret, analyze and/or evaluate both a range of historical interpretations and primary sources. 

To do this, full and part-time faculty must be properly prepared; that is, they must be provided the requisite knowledge of 1) historiography, 2) the nature and teaching of primary sources, and 3) techniques for assessing student success in these areas.   

We propose the creation of a six-hour Master Class on “Teaching Historiography and Primary Documents.” Designed as an interactive seminar, this Master class would provide faculty (full and part-time) the opportunity to:

1. Gain awareness of the new PLOs, SLOs, and assessment initiatives.

2. Review and consider the development of historical interpretation from the age of Leopold von Ranke to the Postmodern turn. 

3. Understand the variety of primary sources available to the undergraduate instructor.

4. Explore the means for teaching students “how to do history.”

5. Consider various mechanisms for assessing the interpretation and comprehension of both secondary and primary source materials.