History

 

Designing a History Course

Liberal Studies History courses help students become critical analysts of theories and evidence about historical events and forces.

Sunlight filters through the intricate, multicolored stained glass of Dodd Hall's Werkmeister Reading Room, home of the Heritage Museum. The light reflects off of the smooth hardwood floors.

What are the learning objectives of History courses?

  1. Discuss the role of historical factors in contemporary problems or personal experiences.
  2. Analyze claims about historical phenomena.

What aspects of course design are necessary to certify a course in History?

The course submission must reflect the following information:

History courses help students become critical analysts of theories and evidence about historical events and forces. The course objectives, course materials, activities, and grading criteria should reflect how students will achieve these outcomes.

Short writing assignments (with instructor feedback) that allow students to engage in close readings of primary sources and careful critiques of secondary arguments are encouraged.

If not clearly incorporated into the course syllabus, a sample assignment or two (and associated grading criteria) should be included in an appendix to the syllabus. These materials should illustrate how students will be assessed on their achievement of the student learning objectives.

Credit hours:

  • General Education courses should not be less than 3 credit hours. (This does not include 1-credit labs.)
  • Variable credit hour courses should have a clear justification (ex: internship, seminar with rotating topics).

Note: General Education courses must be offered at a level of 1000, 2000, or 3000. Only college-level courses (1000 or higher) are approved for the Liberal Studies curriculum.

What language must be included in the syllabus?

There are two components of required syllabus language:

  1. Statements approved by the Faculty Senate, and
  2. Statements for each Liberal Studies designation the course is certified for

 

Faculty Senate required syllabus language:
All syllabi are required to include the syllabus language statements approved by the FSU Faculty Senate, available at https://facsenate.fsu.edu/Curriculum-Resources/syllabus-language.

 

Liberal Studies required syllabus language:

The following statement can either be 1) adapted specifically to the course content, or 2) pasted verbatim into the syllabus. In either case, the meaning of the language should be clearly communicated to students.

This course has been approved to meet FSU’s Liberal Studies History requirements and helps you become a critical analyst of theories and evidence about historical events and forces.

By the end of this course, students will:

  1. Discuss the role of historical factors in contemporary problems or personal experiences.
  2. Analyze claims about historical phenomena.

Can I combine History with any other Liberal Studies areas?

  • History can be combined with any of the University Wide Graduation Requirements.
    • If you choose to add a writing designation to your course proposal, note that a course can only fulfill one type of Writing requirement.
      • A course may be E-Series/State-Mandated Writing “W” or Upper-Division Writing.
    • If you are considering a capstone experience for your course proposal, note that a course can carry either the Scholarship in Practice (SIP) or Formative Experience designation, but not both.

Is there a syllabus template I can use to develop a History course?

Yes. While there is no strictly required format for syllabi, our office has created the following document that you may use to facilitate the process of creating a Liberal Studies syllabus:  Syllabus Guide - History

Who should I contact if I have more questions or concerns?

  • Faculty may contact Kestrel Strickland with any questions about Liberal Studies course design, as well as questions about using the Curricular Request Application (CRA) to submit curricular requests for Liberal Studies approval.
  • You may also browse the FAQ for commonly asked questions and answers.