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Home > Political Science Department >
Mission Statement & Learning Outcomes
The Whitworth Political Science Department strives to embody the university's education of mind and heart through excellent teaching, open and robust debate, active scholarship, and personal mentoring. Our goal is to prepare students for careers in government and politics, law, humanitarian work, teaching, research and peacemaking, and for work in related fields such as business or missions. The department is committed to providing students with the political knowledge and skills that will enable them to assume responsibility from the local level to the global community. Through the study of political theory and law, the analysis of a variety of political systems, internships and off-campus study, and rigorous research projects, faculty members challenge students to develop both the tools and the vision for understanding, nurturing, and transforming the society in which they live. All of our courses are informed by a commitment to justice and reconciliation as articulated by the great political thinkers throughout history and especially as defined by the principles of the Christian faith.
The learning outcomes of this major prepare the student in the following ways:
- With regard to knowledge, political science students will:
- gain competency in the primary sub-fields of political science: American, comparative, international relations, and theory/philosophy;
- develop an understanding of citizenship in the local, national, and global community;
- understand the role of government and also the way nongovernmental actors (individuals, groups, and institutions) can function in society to promote or undermine the common good.
- With regard to skills, political science students will become proficient in quantitative and qualitative research and analysis, written communication (policy papers, legal positions, literature reviews, and research papers), and oral communication (the ability to speak and listen, skills essential for public discourse). Above all, students will learn to exercise their skills as responsible citizens and as leaders in government, the private sector, education, and the community of faith.
- With regard to faith and values, political science students will learn civil and global responsibility, principled pluralism, and respect for the common good rather than self-interest. In addition, students will be able to articulate the philosophical or religious foundations of their political commitments and they will be able to express those commitments in ways that are appropriate in a multicultural and multi-faith society and world.
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