Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science and Economics
The Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics is home to six programs: History, Political Science, Law and Society, International Studies, Economics, and Philosophy. It also oversees the 3+3 Law program. Graduates of our programs have a wide variety of opportunities to work in government, law, or for nonprofit or for-profit organizations.
The History major is designed to give students both a general knowledge of American and world history and the necessary skills to understand and construct a historical argument. History students have an active Historical Society that has sponsored a film festival, a Renaissance Fair, and trips to sites of historical interest.
The Political Science major provides its graduates with the analytical skills necessary to understand political processes in the United States as well as in other states in the global community.
The interdisciplinary Law and Society major offers an exciting course of study for students interested in investigating the origins, actors, institutional frameworks, cultural development, and theoretical foundations of law and justice as they relate to society.
International Studies promotes global understanding and lifelong learning through an international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary curriculum. It fosters understanding of world societies and global issues from many different disciplinary perspectives.
The Economics major represents different schools of economic thought and also a very wide variety of research and teaching interests. Those fields of interest include urban economics, the broad role of government in the economy, the intersection of politics and economics, the economics of sports, international and regional-urban economics, and government participation in markets.
The study of Philosophy helps develop our critical and analytical capacities, our ability to understand what we read, and our ability to argue and persuade. It helps us understand, appreciate, and respect other points of view.
Students from a variety of majors may choose to enroll in The Washington Semester where they may study and intern in the nation’s capitol. Participation in the University's nationally-recognized Polling Institute offers another opportunity to learn about politics and the electoral process.
Minors