History, Political Science and Pre-Law

Professors

J. Barton Starr, Ph.D, Dean
John Calhoun, Ph.D

Associate Professors

Wes Borucki, Ph.D.
Roger Chapman, Ph.D.
Francisco Plaza, Ph.D., Coordinator
Gary Poe, Ph.D.
Linda Reader, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors

Elizabeth Stice, Ph.D.

History

The discipline of history within the Department of History, Political Science and Pre-Law emphasizes mastery of content, practice, and theory. Building on the groundwork laid in the core curriculum, especially in Humanities I-III, students acquire important foundational knowledge through survey courses in American and European history. They then select from a range of advanced courses, each requiring more specialized knowledge, analysis, and application. A required course in historiography equips students with the investigative and documenting skills of the practicing researcher, and also surveys the development of various theoretical approaches to the field of history from antiquity to the present day.

The major in history prepares students for teaching, graduate school, and any further academic study requiring a high level of literacy, research skills, analytical thinking, and sound judgment. It also helps to prepare graduates for a wide range of careers in such diverse areas as government, business, and cultural management. Above all, the discipline of history develops historical consciousness and enables students to situate their own time, place, and circumstances within the largest possible context of human experience. Recognizing history as foundational to worldview formation, the Department of History and Political Science seeks to equip students with the content, tools, and philosophy necessary to develop a mature and distinctively Christian approach to historical understanding. To achieve these ends, all students majoring or minoring in history must attain a “C-” grade or higher in all history courses (HIS) and in Humanities I, II and III.

Political Science

Political Science is an academic discipline within the Department of History, Political Science and Pre-Law that seeks to understand how decisions are made, who makes them, and who is affected by them. Building on the groundwork laid in the core classes, students acquire important foundational knowledge through courses in American Federal Government and International Relations. Students then choose from four comparative government classes as well as from four practical based courses. All political science majors must take a class in the history of political thought as well as a required course in the methodology of political science, which equips students with analytical research skills including content, aggregate data, roll call analysis and survey research, as well as the ability to make and interpret tables and graphs.

The major in political science prepares students for teaching, graduate school in political science, public policy, public administration or law school. We strongly encourage our majors to participate in the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities’ programs, particularly the American studies program so they can gain practical experience in politics and interact with Christian students from throughout the United States in formulating their world view. The aim of political science is to create students who understand how the political system works, who can critically analyze political behavior, and who comprehend the prophetic role of Christians in society.

To achieve these ends, all students majoring or minoring in political science must attain a “C-” grade or higher in all political science courses (PLS) and in Freedom in American Society.

Pre-Law

Pre-law is an interdisciplinary program of study within the Department of History, Political Science and Pre-Law, drawn from the areas of history, political science, communication, philosophy, business, and English. The major is designed for students intending to pursue a career in law. The major develops effective verbal and written communication skills as well as promoting analytical thinking and offering broad exposure to history, government, politics, and law.