Pairing History with the Other Disciplines: Linked Courses and Learning Communities in History Education

The AAC&U has identified several “high impact teaching practices” that research has shown to help college students engage in their coursework and retain the skills they learn. One of these practices is the “learning community” which provides inter-disciplinary paired courses that address a shared theme but explore it from the perspectives of their distinct disciplines. Learning communities are a valuable tool for historians as we attempt to distinguish our discipline and its unique perspective and contribution to education from those of the other humanities and social sciences with which we are often merged. Pairing history with courses in “the other disciplines” allows us to showcase for our students not only the unique questions that historians ask, but also the skills we teach that can transcend disciplinary differences to benefit students in any program, which is a priority for LEAP. The purpose of this presentation will be to share the construction, implementation, and effectiveness of these learning communities at a 2 year college and to discuss with audience members how the process can be successful in 2 and 4 year colleges and even high schools. The presentation will begin with a discussion of the value of pairing history courses with other disciplines, an exploration of the difficulties encountered and the solutions developed including negotiating assignments with another discipline, and an overview of student evaluations from two successful History learning communities. It will then share detailed examples of syllabi, assignments, joint assessment techniques, co-taught seminar discussions, and an off-campus trip for one history learning community: a Genocide and Holocaust History course paired with a Genocide themed Literature and Composition course. Sharing these materials is intended to prompt audience conversations about the value, structure, implementation, and possible improvement of learning communities by history educators.