Political Science Program Profile
The mission of the political science department is to equip students to actively engage as citizens in transforming society according to a kingdom vision that promotes public justice in a multicultural and multi-faith society.
We accomplish this by promoting knowledge of public affairs and an understanding of different perspectives on the relationship between the State and society, developing a working knowledge of the political process, and establishing a biblical foundation for understanding the political dimension of life through research, reflection, and robust dialog, extending from the local to the global levels of human relationships.
More about Political Science![A female student works on a laptop in the library](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-09-11_002733.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=43&f=webp&c=ff75fc2f&v=969a58b85c2b47ed28f2a23ced5601595ff680fdd03c8e9b9aab6e133a3bc5d8)
PROGRAM STRENGTHS
- A personal department approach allows for one-on-one advising of each major and minor as well as small seminar classes.
- A semester-long field experience in an off-campus program in a United States or international setting (e.g., Chicago, Washington, D.C., Middle East, Central America, Netherlands, Spain, China, Uganda).
- An excellent history of graduates gaining admission to prominent graduate and law schools throughout North America.
- Our alumni report being prepared to successfully enter a wide diversity of careers (e.g., government, education, business, nonprofit organizations, journalism, international agencies, public office, faith-based organizations).
- We provide a uniquely biblically based education in politics that includes a strong liberal arts core, a major uniquely designed to meet the needs of each student, and a complementary major or minor in related fields (e.g., environmental studies, business, criminal justice, history, communication, foreign languages).
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will be able to:
- Identify core biblical principles (e.g., justice, shalom, solidarity) that will guide them in understanding their role as citizens who have responsibilities in shaping a civil society.
- Articulate a Reformed, Christian perspective on candidates or policies that demonstrates a commitment to justice for all.
- Find, assess, and use reliable political information to apply critical thinking skills in evaluating political behavior, activities, and outcomes.
- Demonstrate written and oral communication proficiencies in persuasion compassionate listening and speaking truth with courage and humility.
- Describe and embrace a biblical, transformational vision of citizenship in Christ's kingdom.
- Demonstrate a spirit of love and joy through serving others with compassion.