Daemen College : Academics & Research : Division of Arts & Sciences : History & Government : Mission Statements and Learning Objectives

Mission Statements and Learning Objectives

For History, History & Government, & Political Science Majors

Department Mission Statement

The History and Government faculty is guided by the philosophy that how students learn is as important as what they learn. The study of history and political science helps to develop “higher order” thinking and transferable skills, producing citizens who become participants and leaders in their communities and the world. The intellectual abilities that will be nurtured by our department for use in the professional world include: learning to analyze and think critically about the past and the present; the ability to read and grasp essential ideas in print, visual and electronic media; feeling at home in the world of ideas; speaking and writing clearly and forcefully; doing productive research; examining a problem from many different angles often from opposing points of view; combining factual analysis with deductive and inductive reasoning; constructing logical arguments and spotting flawed reasoning; employing comparative analysis relating the past to the present; and fostering an appreciation for diversity both locally and globally and an understanding of the history and culture of other peoples.

Student Learning Objectives

The department believes that the well-educated student, receiving a degree in any of the majors within the History and Government Department, will be able to:

1. Identify major social, political, economic, geographic, technological, and cultural developments and concepts in history and political science and be able to place them within the appropriate cultural and temporal context.
2. Make connections between historical events and current social, political, economic, geographic, technological and cultural issues and be able to analyze how historical and political events are the result of multiple and integrated causes.
3. Recognize the diversity of humankind and the multiplicity of cultures that are found locally, nationally and globally.
4. Develop awareness as a global citizen and be able to analyze the complexity of current world issues and events in a global context.
5. Identify the changing interpretations of historical events in the works of historians and political scientists.
6. Recognize the value of diversity, and the diversity of values, in public discourse and interpretation of historic and political events.
7. Exhibit political efficacy and civic responsibility in an informed manner.
8. Employ the scientific approach (i.e., critically analyze the argumentation, data, evidence cited, interpretations, and conclusions of historical and political scholarship) in studying history, political behavior and public policy.
9. Generate, develop, present and defend a thesis in both oral and written form through argumentation supported by detailed valid and reliable evidence from a multiplicity of written, visual and oral sources.
10. Pursue employment in related professions, advanced graduate studies and/or professional training.

For Paralegal Studies Majors

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Paralegal Studies Program is to prepare highly competent and ethical practitioners, with a clear understanding of the appropriate boundaries of their roles and responsibilities assisting attorneys in the provision of legal services. The program will integrate a strong liberal arts background with the professional skills needed for contemporary practice. This will include critical thinking skills, organizational skills, research and writing skills, oral communication skills, skilled use of electronic media, and the cultural competency to meet the needs of diverse clients. The professional component of the program will emphasize the development of general legal practice skills and appropriate professional and ethical behaviors needed to balance the needs of clients with maintaining the integrity of the legal system. Graduates of this program will be prepared to act as productive members of the legal community, facilitating the efficient delivery of high quality legal services.

Student Learning Objectives

A graduate of the bachelor’s or certificate program in paralegal studies will be able to perform the following under the supervision of an attorney:

1. Competently and efficiently conduct legal and factual research (including investigation and interviewing skills), using multiple forms of media.
2. Effectively communicate in a culturally competent manner, using various forms of communication media, with the supervising attorney, clients, and other members of the legal system.
3. Recognize the boundaries of paralegal practice and exhibit ethical and professional behavior at all times.
4. Recognize the need to maintain continued professional competence through lifelong learning.
5. Assist the attorney with delegated tasks involving the development and management of client cases and the management of the law office in general.