LEARNING OUTCOMES and PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
M.A. Degree in History
I. Content/ Knowledge Outcomes
Outcome 1: M.A. graduates should demonstrate in-depth knowledge of at least two of
the following fields, one of which must be outside the U.S.: Ancient and Medieval
Europe, Modern Europe, Modern China, Modern Japan, California and the West,
Early America, the Civil War, U.S. Women’s History, American Intellectual
History, Native American History, and/or Latin America (History Conference
courses [HIST 6100-6500], electives, and project work [HIST 6899, 6901, 6909,
6910])
Indicators: Grades in History Conference courses, elective courses, and project
work; portfolio; exit interview
Outcome 2: M.A. graduates should possess an understanding of the main arguments and
themes in contemporary historiography (HIST 6030)
Indicators: Grades in HIST 6030; portfolio; exit interview
Outcome 3: M.A. graduates should demonstrate command of a special research area
(project work)
Indicators: Grades in project work; portfolio; exit interview
Outcome 4: M.A. Graduates should demonstrate familiarity with Bay Area research
libraries, archives, and special collections
Indicators: Grades in HIST 6010 and project work; exit interview
II. Skill/ Method Outcomes
Outcome 5: M.A. graduates should possess advanced writing and interpretative skills for
analyzing both secondary and primary sources (History Conference courses, HIST
6030, HIST 6010)
Indicators: grades in History Conference Courses, 6030, and 6010; portfolio;
exit interview
Outcome 6: M.A. graduates should demonstrate advanced research abilities, in
conventional historical collections and in Internet sources (HIST 6010 and project
work)
Indicators: grades in HIST 6010, and project work; portfolio; exit
interview
Outcome 7: M.A. graduates should demonstrate the ability to complete a major
independent project in history (project work)
Indicators: grades in project work; portfolio; exit interview
III. Dispositional Outcomes
Outcome 8: M.A. graduates should be familiar with cross-cultural approaches to
historical study and the humanistic values underlying a historical worldview
(History Conference courses, elective courses, HIST 6030)
Indicators: Grades in History Conference courses, electives, and project work;
portfolio; exit interview
Outcome 9: M.A. graduates should adhere to the standards of academic honesty,
including appropriate attribution of all sources (all coursework)
Indicators: Grades in all coursework; portfolio; exit interview
Outcome 10: M.A. graduates should be familiar with the values of the historical
profession, including ethics and standards for work in research libraries, on the
Internet, at professional conferences, and at interviews for employment (HIST
6010, project work)