Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Ï Articulate an understanding of the key events in Oregon history and use critical thinking to evaluate historical changes and their impact upon society and culture in Oregon and America.
Ï Recognize and appreciate the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who lived in, explored, traded, and migrated to Oregon.
Ï Identify culturally-grounded assumptions which have impacted perceptions, behaviors, and policies of Oregonians in the past and assess how culture continues to affect human behavior.
Ï Communicate effectively using historical analysis.
Ï Connect the past with the present to enhance contemporary understanding and encourage civic engagement.

• Analyze and evaluate  primary and secondary sources of information
• Use research papers, book critiques, and visits to regional venues to analyze, evaluate, and form one’s own interpretation Oregon’s history
• Use oral presentation to convey own historical research and interpretation
• Participation in, and contribution to, class discussions and activities
• Demonstrate college level communication skills:  listening, speaking, and writing

Analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources

• Learn the difference between primary and secondary sources and the historical relevance of each
• Recognize and evaluate the motivation and perspective of the creator
• Be able to put the documents into the context of the time
• Recognize what the creator does not say is as important and what he or she does say

Use research papers, book critiques, and visits to regional venues to analyze, evaluate, and form one’s own interpretation of the motivations for and impact of Oregon’s social climate.

• Identify historian’s thesis from supporting evidence
• Develop own thesis and use data to support it

• Develop skills to synthesize data and formulate own conclusion
• Competency using a variety of sources including books, journals, and online data banks.
• Use of the internet for primary sources
• Use of web sites based upon critical evaluation
• Understand the importance of documenting source data and develop documentation skill
• Recognize and evaluate motivation and perspective of museums, interpretive centers, displays, memorials, commemorations, and public programs.

Participation in and contribution to, oral presentations, class discussions and activities

• Use oral presentation to convey own historical research and interpretation

• Communicate information and analysis to peers as a formal presentation
• Appreciate research done by peers

• Work collaboratively with peers to evaluate and understand  the historical process
• Work collaboratively in discussion and debate
• Respect and appreciate diversity
• Small group informality for greater student participation
• Relate historical information to the present

Themes, Concepts, Issues

• Sense of place
• Geographical diversity
• Exploration and commerce
• Colonization and nation building
• Manifest Destiny
• Westward expansion
• Immigration and emigration
• Racism and ethnocentrism
• Indigenous peoples
• Diversity of  the region’s population
• Spirituality and religion
• Art, literature, and architecture
• Work and leisure
• Economics and variety of economies
• Politics and political institutions
• Gender-based roles
• Cultural exchange and change
• Natural environment