Bachelor of Arts [B.A] [Social Studies] From St. John's University

The program will prepare graduates to:

Understand the main events, processes and dynamics of change in world history and the specific geographic concentrations associated with the areas required by the major.

• Identify and summarize key events in world history and the specific geographic regions in the three concentrations (European, United States, and non-Western) required by the major and related to the specific courses taken by the student.
• Compare and contrast long-term processes and dynamics of change in world history and the concentrations required by the major, in accordance to specific courses taken by the student.

Demonstrate critical and analytical skills required for an effective reading and interpretation of the documents and texts used in historical analysis.

• Critically evaluate information and sources.
• Situate primary sources in their historical context.
• Demonstrate ability to entertain empathetically the diverse viewpoints of individuals and groups, represented in documents, texts and other sources.
• Articulate an intellectually coherent interpretation of historical events and processes, grounded in documents and texts under study.

Conduct sound ethical research, demonstrating proficiency in information literacy and the basic tools of historical research.

• Design research objectives appropriate to various assignments.
• Locate needed information from a variety of sources.
• Critically evaluate information and sources.
• Situate primary and secondary sources in their historical context.
• Integrate information effectively to accomplish the planned objective.
• Use information ethically and legally, in accordance with the research traditions of our discipline.

Demonstrate an effective communication style in a variety of written formats and in the style appropriate to the discipline of history.

• Demonstrate knowledge of specific requirements of assignment.
• Formulate an intellectually coherent argument, claim or hypothesis, relevant to assignment.
• Use multiple, reliable sources, correctly cited to support claims.
• Use effective word choice, sentence variety and standard written English competently.
• Illustrate effective reflection, evaluation, and revisions of written work related to assignment.

Demonstrate understanding of the historiographical traditions and issues that serve as a foundation to our discipline.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic development of the discipline of history over time.
• Give examples of the controversies and debates that have divided historians over time, in accordance to specific courses taken by the student.
• Independently analyze the issues and concerns that have driven the discipline of history at different points in time.

Demonstrate recognition, understanding and respect for the complexity of diverse socio-cultural and historical traditions.

• Demonstrate knowledge of other cultures and societies, related to the requirements of the major.
• Conceive viewpoints from a variety of socio-cultural and historical perspectives.

Demonstrate an understanding of basic issues and concepts in economics, geography, government and sociology.

• Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts and issues in economics, geography, government and sociology, related to the requirements of the major.