Institution: Delta College

Location: University Center, MI

Tuner: Laura Dull

Year: 2014

Degree Name: Associate of Arts (History Pre-Major)

Purpose of the Degree

The associate of arts degree (history pre-major) prepares a student with the foundational skills required for successful upper-level study of history at a four-year transfer institution (more detail in program competencies and outcomes).

Characteristics of the Program

The AA (history pre-major) at Delta College includes four tracks, for which there are sample four-semester schedules available: pre-modern European, modern European, early American, recent American. This degree provides students with one-on-one mentorship by history faculty members and a clear pathway to degree completion.

Career Pathways for the Graduate

We divide the career pathways associated with history study into four areas: analytical skills specializing in analyzing change over time-financial analysis, market research analysis, information analysis, medical field; communication (reading, writing, speaking)-education, management, sales, advocacy, grant writing, publishing, editing, legal profession; knowledge of global perspectives-government offices, medical professionals, management, sales, peace studies; research and information management-archival management, legal profession, human resources.

Educational Style

The history department faculty use a combination of pedagogical styles: lecture, small- and large-group discussions, digital humanities projects, and analytical essays.

Program Competencies and Outcomes

• Apply cultural literacy to complex historical narratives

1. Identify global perspectives in historical narratives
2. Identify their own cultural perspectives and how they may influence their analysis of historical narratives
3. Apply a variety of perspectives to analysis of historical narratives and problems

• Engage in historical inquiry, research, and analysis

1. Develop a historical question
2. Define a plan for researching potential answers to historical questions
3. Access, analyze, and implement a variety of historical sources to address a historical question

• Effectively read historical sources (primary and secondary)

1. Distinguish between primary and secondary sources
2. Identify bias of relevant historical sources
3. Summarize and analyze relevant information from historical sources

• Effectively communicate historical narrative and argument

1. Summarize historical narrative based on historical sources
2. Select, arrange, and analyze evidence drawn from historical sources to support an argument originating from those sources
3. Articulate and defend a historical argument through written and oral means

• Apply historical thinking to contemporary citizenship issues

1. Identify diverse perspectives drawn from historical narratives relevant to contemporary citizenship issues
2. Implement accepted historical practices to research historical narratives relevant to contemporary citizenship issues
3. Communicate diverse historical perspectives in a manner sensitive to contemporary citizenship issues