History and Political Studies

Faculty
Joan Francis, Chair
Michael Kulakov, Jr.
Douglas Morgan

Adjunct Faculty
Gladstone P. Gurubatham
Jonathan Scriven
James D. Standish
Fitzroy Thomas

Introduction
Columbia Union College provides excellent opportunities for student interested in history, law, government, and politics. The nation's capital is home to unparalleled resources, including: the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Smithsonian Institution, the Holocaust Memorial Museum, Capitol Hill, advocacy organizations, think tanks, the General Conference Archives, and the Ellen G. White Estate.

The College's affiliation with the Center for Law and Public Policy, in particular, enhances access to the resources of Washington, D.C., through internships, conferences, legislative advocacy, and intercollegiate moot court competition.

Demonstration of scholarly excellence in the study of history may bring membership in CUC's chapter of the honor society, Phi Alpha Theta.

Mission

In keeping with the mission of Columbia Union College, the History and Political Studies Department plays a two-fold role in producing "graduates who bring competence and moral leadership to their communities."

First, the department seeks to foster excellent educational experiences in support of the college's general education goals, particularly to "explore fundamental concepts of the humanities and social sciences," "enhance the academic processes of listening, reading, speaking, writing, and studying," and acquiring knowledge of belief systems, values, and ethics."

Second, through disciplined, energetic pursuit of historical understanding, the department seeks to nurture majors who are dedicated to excellence, who "embrace the adventure of truth," who find "pleasure and joy" in learning, and who link with their scholarship involvement for the common good.

For history majors, political studies majors and general students, the department seizes "the challenge and opportunity of the nation's capital" by placing particular emphasis on utilizing the unique resources in Washington, D.C. for the study of history, government, law and politics.

Goals
The goals of the History and Political Studies Department are to equip students to:

1. See themselves and their society from different times and places, displaying a sense of informed perspective and a mature view of human nature.

2. Read and think critically, write and speak clearly and persuasively, and conduct research effectively.

3. Exhibit sensitivities to human values in their own and other cultural traditions and, in turn establish values of their own.

4. Participate in the affairs of the world around them on the basis of personal faith and values informed by historical perspective.

5. Excel in careers and activities after graduation which contribute to social justice, peace, and human rights.

Objectives
Students completing the history or political studies major will:

1. Compare favorably in historical and political understanding with students completing similar programs nationally.

2. Demonstrate competence in analyzing evidence: be able to gather evidence systematically from secondary and primary sources and interpret the evidence in a coherent, creative, responsible manner in writing or speaking.

3. Demonstrate competence in the skills of a historian or political analyst by producing a research paper of at least 3000 words, based on primary sources, that is clearly written, demonstrates individual thought, and advances understanding of the topic.

4. Gain admission to high caliber graduate and professional schools, and/or find employment in which they can apply the skills and competencies developed in college.