The History Department at Gettysburg College is committed to incorporating antiracism within the History major in the following ways:
- History majors will be introduced to the distinction between being ‘nonracist’ and antiracist. Students will understand how antiracist work aligns with the core values of Gettysburg College by providing “a sense of the inter-relatedness of all knowledge, sensitivity to the human condition, and a global perspective, all necessary to enable students to realize their full potential for responsible citizenship”, which enables students to understand “the worth and dignity of all people and the limitless value of their intellectual potential” and “the value of ethical leadership that is inclusive, collaborative, and directed toward effecting change for the greater good.”
- 100-level courses and/or Historical Methods, when dealing with content that involves issues of race, will incorporate antiracist analysis and goals as part of achieving the learning outcomes for the major. Specifically, History majors will:
- be able to identify systemic manifestations of racism as a part of acquiring “a basic knowledge of global history and broad geographical content.”
- be directed toward sources that exemplify antiracism or will engage in discussion about an antiracist approach to sources as a part of “the ability to analyze and contextualize primary sources.” This will also encourage majors to see how doing great work will enable them to “engage the complex questions of our time through effective leadership and socially responsible citizenship,” as expressed by Gettysburg College’s mission statement. [1]
- The History Department affirms its commitment to academic freedom by its professors in their research and teaching. The following points are not intended to dictate what professors must teach, but are an expression of what the full-time faculty members of the History Department believe are best practices in equipping History majors to meet the goals of Gettysburg College’s mission statement and achieve the Department’s Student Learning Outcomes.[2]
- Courses that examine United States history in part or whole will operate with an understanding of racism as systemic and standardized through the development and implementation of policies, rather than a primary focus on individual instances of racist activity.
- History majors will be encouraged to consider the value of going beyond simply being ‘nonracist,’ and to instead be antiracist. Therefore, they will engage in close analysis and rigorous critical thinking regarding policies and practices that continue to significantly disadvantage Black, Brown and Indigenous people, while creating and protecting advantage for White people in economic, legal, health and political systems and practices.
[1] Gettysburg College Mission Statement
[2] History Department Student Learning Outcomes