Pacific Northwest History

Course Number: 
HIST&214
Course Credits: 
5.00
Course Description: 
THe course offers a survey of the history of the Pacific Northwest, with special emphasis on Washington State, from the earliest times through exploration, settlement, and the modern era. Topics of enquiry will include Native Americans and contact with Europeans, the growth of the Northwest in relation to national developments, the role and usage of the environment, politics,as well as the many reform and social movements that challenged and expanded civil and social participation of groups and individuals in the Pacific Northwest. 5 theory hours. Satisfies social science distribution area A requirement or specified elective for the AA degree.
Course Prerequisites: 
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101; or instructor permission.
Course Outcomes: 

The objectives of this course, in addition to learning the subject matter of Pacific Northwest history, are to improve students’ demonstrated abilities in the following areas; letters cited after the individual outcomes, and elsewhere in the syllabus, refer to Grays Harbor College’s five desired student learning abilities [A - Competency in the Disciplines; B-Literacy; C-Critical Thinking; D-Social/Personal Responsibility; E-Using Resources].

Regarding Course Content, students will have as objectives or outcomes the understanding of:

  • the relevance of historical study [A, B, C, D, E]
  • the "WHY" of history [A, B, C, D, E]
  • the meaning of the past on the present [A, B, C, D, E]
  • the possibilities of creating a better future by understanding the past [A, B, C, D]
  • the relationships between and among the various peoples who have and do inhabit the United States [A, B, C, D, E]
  • the race, class and gender diversity in United States history [A, B, C, D, E]

Regarding the skills gained in the course, students will have as goals the improvement of their ability to:

  • adopt and maintain an open mind about new issues and ideas [A, B, C, D]
  • read texts for comprehension of meaning, analysis, and evaluation [A, B, C, D]
  • read and think critically about texts and arguments [A, B, C, D]
  • effectively communicate, in writing, knowledge and perspectives [A, B, C]
  • support arguments with evidence [A, B, C, E]
  • use of information resources in building opinions and arguments [A, B, C, D, E]
  • identify and use an expanded vocabulary [A, B, C]
  • apply knowledge of material in written and oral presentations [A, B, C, D]
  • work together in groups [A, B, C, D]
  • discuss texts and concepts in small and large groups [A, B, C, D]
  • effectively evaluate self and peers [B, C, D, E]
  • take charge of one's own learning [A, B, C, D, E]
  • use technology [B, C, E]