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SPAN 399: Senior Oral Required of all Spanish language majors, in the semester immediately prior to graduation. Independent study/research on a topic approved by the department, resulting in a paper written and defended in Spanish during the oral examination. 1 credit
HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY JOHN M. VOHLIDKA, Ph.D., Program Director FACULTY: Professors: Suzanne Richard, Jeffrey H. Bloodworth. Associate Professors: Carolyn Baugh, John M. Vohlidka. Assistant Teaching Professors: Peter Agresti, Alexandra Holbrook. ADJUNCT FACULTY: A. Tiggy McLaughlin, Nora Schillinger Mission Statement Historians treat the past as a foreign place that can unlock the mysteries of the present and the future. Thinking like a historian will help you understand how attention to change, context, and contingency is critical to understanding the ethical and political dilemmas of the past, present, and future. These skills provide a foundation for careers in law, medicine, education, business, and public policy. The Gannon University department of history and archaeology seeks to inculcate its students with this “historical thinking” and a global vision that equips students with skills for a diverse and increasingly interconnected world. Vision Statement Our vision is to become an integral part of Gannon University’s humanities division that is known regionally for providing excellent classroom instruction, innovative programs, and producing cutting edge historical research. We strive to accomplish our vision by embracing rigorous academic inquiry with a constant awareness that a focus on students is vital to our program’s success. Aims and Objectives We must probe the past if we are to understand the problems of the present as well as the identity of humankind. Without history, we have no knowledge of who we are or how we came to be; we are like victims of collective amnesia groping in the dark for our identity. The history major is designed to enable the student to acquire a skilled and sustained sense of historical perspective as well as informed insight into historical method. But beyond this it seeks to develop those skills and attitudes of mind that distinguish the educated person: the habits of skepticism and criticism; of thinking with perspective and objectivity; of judging the good and bad and the in-between. It is hoped, in short, that the history major will lead the student to the attainment of life’s greatest value: wisdom. To this end, the specific aims are to acquaint the student with the basic tools and methods of research and expression—both written and oral; and to develop in him/her the skills of analysis and synthesis for the evaluation of historical evidence with particular stress on sound writing and reading skills. The Department of History offers courses covering the remote and recent periods of history and stressing American, European and non-Western history. Thirty-three hours of credits, twentyone in the upper-level courses, are required of majors. The History Seminar integrates the student’s previous concentration in either American or European History and is required for all majors. A minor in history may be obtained by completing eighteen credits, including HIST 221, 222 and twelve additional upper division history credits. Career Opportunities Because of its breadth, its concern with people and their institutions and its essential connection with language, the study of history prepares a person for a considerable number of occupations and professions to which these qualities are essential. Thus, a concentration in history is an
