Department of History and Political Science

The mission of the Department of History and Political Science is to engage students in disciplines that are scholarly and humanistically enlarging. In History courses, the department extends to each student the opportunity to acquire the temporal perspective needed to understand and appreciate the varied activities and pursuits of human beings. In Political Science courses, the department extends to each student the opportunity for systematic study of the varied activities of human beings who as citizens seek to craft orderly and just societies and to discern the proper relation between the individual and the community. Through both disciplines, the department aims to develop in students the necessary perspective and critical capacities to be contributing members of their communities and to live enriched and enriching lives.

By engaging students in dialogue about the nature of human activity past and present, by developing their analytical abilities, and by working with them to effectively communicate their insights, the department at the same time strives to develop competent, self-confident, articulate individuals ready for productive careers. The programs of the department provide excellent preparation both for further study and for work in a variety of fields— teaching, business, civil service, law, journalism, library science, and archival work.

Upon completing the program of study in the Department of History and Political Science, students will:

• Demonstrate inquisitiveness and mastery of the principles of scholarly research.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the values, beliefs, and ideas that constitute the western political tradition.
• Recognize the complex nature of the political community and the role of social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors in political life.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of American political institutions and processes and be able to compare them with those of other political systems.
• Understand the patterns of interaction among members of the world community and the sources of international cooperation and conflict.
• Be able to evaluate conflicting political arguments, assemble empirical evidence, and make reasoned conclusions from available evidence.

Majors
History (Traditional Undergraduate Program)
Political Science (Traditional Undergraduate Program)

Minors
History (Traditional Undergraduate Program)
Political Science (Traditional Undergraduate Program)
Pre-Law Minor (Traditional Undergraduate Program)