Called the "queen of the sciences" by Aristotle because of its impact on law, society, philosophy, ethics, economics, and religion, political science is more than the study of government, political attitudes and behavior, and public policy. It is the study of people, their motives, their values, their relations with others, and the best way for individuals and groups to achieve their goals while improving society. Moreover, as Christians, the study of politics increases our understanding of God by learning how He wants us to live with others and how our faith leads us to be good stewards of our local, national, and global community.

Consequently, the Department seeks to (1) create an active, informed citizenry capable of infl uencing government; (2) prepare students for a changing world by developing and refi ning their analytical, communication, and research skills; (3) foster the understanding of the role of Christians in the public square and the most effective means to renew society; (4) prepare students for graduate and professional opportunities in politics, law, public service in the U.S. and abroad, business, teaching, and other endeavors; and (5) develop students who can be leaders in political, social, and religious institutions.

To this end, the Department offers a broad range of courses that focus on how individuals and groups interact with governmental and global systems while preparing students to exercise leadership in our changing domestic and global worlds. Each student begins by orienting themselves to the discipline by taking classes in each of the subfi elds of political science (American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Research Methods). Then students take six hours of both American and Global politics courses to ensure a balance in their studies while having nine additional hours to pursue their specifi c interests. Moreover, the Department encourages both practical and theoretical learning through internships and study abroad experiences which provide a broader understanding of other cultures and worldviews. Finally, the capstone experience provides students the opportunity to synthesize their knowledge in writing their senior thesis.