Political Science
Government, according to the Bible, is intended to restrain evil, secure justice and promote order in society.
The political science department strives to understand governments and political phenomena as well as discover what a just and stable political system might look like.
The goal of this department is to provide a consciously Christian political science education which is academically sound and firmly grounded in an understanding of government and politics.
The courses offered by the department will give you the opportunity to explore many dimensions of government, politics, and policy in the United States, relations between nations, issues of global importance, and different political systems of several nations.
These courses will also help prepare you to assume your responsibilities and rights as a Christian citizen. A broader study of political science will prepare you for a career in public service, law, journalism, politics, teaching and for advanced work at the graduate level.
Political science department homepage
Major requirements
PSC 101SS - American Government
(4 credits) (NWCore option under Self and Society) (American politics) A broad survey of the major political and governmental institutions in the United States, this course examines how citizens attempt to influence their government and how the government responds. The course also develops the foundations for a biblical perspective on the role of government and the role of citizens.
PSC 235CC - Comparative Politics
(4 credits) (NWCore option under Cross-Cultural Engagement) A survey of the politics of several countries from different continents. Special attention is paid to historical development and ideological, religious, and cultural factors affecting a country's politics.
PSC 310WIx - History of Political Thought
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department) (Writing intensive) A survey of the history of Western political thought, through study of selected major thinkers in the tradition. Emphasis will be placed both on each thinker's political theory and how it fits in the broader history of Western political thought. Prerequisite: junior class standing, or permission of the instructor. Cross-Referenced: Cross-referenced in philosophy.
PSC 320 - Christians and the Political Order
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department) (American politics) This course centers on the implications of the Christian faith for Christians in the political order. We will explore historical and current Christian interpretations of the role of government in society, distilling biblical values which undergird them. Prerequisite: junior standing, or permission of the instructor.
PSC 417 - Internship
(4 credits may apply toward the major)
Political science electives: 12 credits
Cognate requirements:
Choose one course:
ECO 101SS - Everyday Economics
(4 credits) (NWCore option under Self and Society) What is the economy? What drives the boom and bust of the market? Why do people choose what they choose? How should I think about money? What is the role of our government? How do I view
inequality? Every decision we make and everything we see in the modern society has something to do with economics. In this course, we will cover the ABC's of micro and macroeconomics that are most relevant to our everyday life. We will also learn a brief history of economic thought, and build our foundation on the Christian principles.
Note: This course is not intended for business or economics majors.
ECO 213 - Principles of Microeconomics
(4 credits) Microeconomics deals with price determination and how the price system functions. Supply and demand, output, competition, monopoly, resource pricing, international trade and finance will be studied.
ECO 214 - Principles of Macroeconomics
(4 credits) Macroeconomics concerns itself with economic aggregates such as inflation, unemployment, recessions, national debt, and income inequality international trades. Macroeconomic models will be introduced. These models will be used to understand the application of monetary and fiscal policy.
Total credits required: 36
Note: Political science majors who wish to receive their secondary education endorsement must take 24 credit hours of course work with an American politics emphasis.
Students must complete 12 credits of 300-level or above courses.
