The History Portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of written materials that documents a student's individual progress through the history major. It encourages students to reflect critically on their coursework and experiences as history majors as they get ready to take HIST J 495, the history proseminar.
I: Contents of the Portfolio:
A formal job resume.
Five essays. Please include the original copies with the course instructor's comments and grade.
Two research papers that include systematic documentation.
Three essay examinations.
Self-analysis essay: What do the materials included in my portfolio say about my learning experience as a history major?
N.B.: No more than three items in any portfolio may come from any once course.
II: Analysis:
A portfolio is not simply a collection of papers. The most important part of the portfolio is the essay of reflection or self-scrutiny. Use the papers that you included as evidence of the learning process and refer to them in your narrative. Use the questions below to help you write the self-assessment essay, which should be three to four pages in length:
Why did I decide to become a history major? What were my learning goals when I declared the major?
What have I learned? Include a list of the history courses that you have taken. Focus especially on skills: Analysis and use of primary and secondary sources, writing, public speaking, etc.
When have I learned? Compare your mastery of skills from the time you became a history major to now.
How have I learned? What are my strengths and weaknesses as a learner in history courses? What do the papers in the portfolio say about my strengths and weaknesses as a writer?
How have I changed as a person after taking history courses? Consider intellectual, personal and ethical changes.
III. Deadline:
Please submit your portfolio to the department chairperson at least 60 days before the seminar begins.
