Undergraduate Catalog 2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
History, Philosophy, and Political Science
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American Studies
Chairperson
Brian Kessel, Ph.D.
Full-Time Faculty
Daniel Campbell, Ph.D.
Tonia Compton, Ph.D.
Yngve Digernes, Ph.D.
Brian Kessel, Ph.D.
Brad Lookingbill, Ph.D.
Aurelien Mauxion, Ph.D.
Ahoo Tabatabai, Ph.D.
Day Campus Course Rotation Schedule
Culminating Experience Course
AMST 490 - American Studies Senior Seminar 3 hours
American Studies constitutes a multidisciplinary program for the exploration of the past, present, and future of the United States. It brings together faculty and students from a variety of disciplines to compare and to exchange knowledge about the American experience. The program offers a rich, rigorous approach combining intellectual insights from literature, history, sociology, political science, and other social sciences and humanities. Rather than limiting majors to a single department’s offerings, the program allows students the freedom to complete courses in a variety of traditional disciplines.
Majors develop critical thinking skills that allow them not only to pursue rewarding careers but also to act as responsible citizens of the 21st Century. By fostering a diverse and dynamic academic journey that reaches across disciplinary boundaries into a wide range of perspectives on the American experience, the Program encourages its students to develop intellectual resources that will sustain them in a wide variety of careers and avocations. Students may continue their study through graduate work in American Studies or pursue careers in law, business, teaching and museum fields. An American Studies degree is particularly appropriate for students planning careers in law, communication, government, social work and journalism.
Because the United States is a nation held together by different and often conflicting stories of nationhood, the American Studies major is designed to create dialogue about the multiple ways in which these stories are told. The American Studies major demands that students develop and refine their own theories and assumptions through reflective practices on the contested meaning of America’s stories. It describes the stories of America in different modes - written and electronic, verbal and nonverbal, visual and auditory. Most of all, it promotes an understanding of the American experience using the approaches and methods of a variety of disciplines.
History
Chairperson
Brian Kessel, Ph.D.
Full-Time Faculty
Anthony Alioto, Ph.D.
Tonia Compton, Ph.D.
David Karr, Ph.D.
Brad Lookingbill, Ph.D.
Michael Polley, Ph.D.
Day Campus Course Rotation Schedule
Culminating Experience Course
HIST 494 - Historical Research and Methods 3 hours
History majors acquire an education that promotes citizenship and personal enrichment while preparing them for a wide range of professional goals. The History program helps to prepare majors for graduate or law school as well as public service and private sector careers. Internship opportunities are available.
Chairperson
Mark Price, Ph.D.
Full-Time Faculty
Anthony Alioto, Ph.D.
Mark Price, Ph.D.
Day Campus Course Rotation Schedule
Culminating Experience Course
PHIL 490 - Thematic Seminar in Philosophy 3 hours
The academic study of philosophy has been traditionally an essential part of the liberal arts. The study of philosophy seeks to develop the intellectual abilities important for life as a whole. Properly pursued, philosophy enhances analytical, critical and interpretive capacities that may be applied to any academic field. Philosophy is as old as human civilization, asking the most general and profound questions; philosophy begins in wonder and, at its best, seeks the path to wisdom. The major seeks to develop the individual’s abilities to critically examine, analyze and appreciate these traditions and ideas - and, in the process, build personal self-expression, creativity and an appetite for lifelong learning.
Mission and Goals
- Students will develop intellectual abilities important for life as a whole. Examples: the study of logic, critical examination of ethics, the study of scientific thought.
- Students will be prepared for the tasks of citizenship. Example: participation in democracy requires a citizen be sufficiently informed, have knowledge of political philosophy, and be aware of manipulation and demagoguery.
- Students will develop analytical skills and problem solving abilities. Example: philosophy courses require analysis and reflection on complex issues and texts.
- Students will develop writing and verbal skills. Example: every course demands cogent logical and creative responses to issues raised in debate, responses that eschew ill-informed and uncritical (often emotional) arguments.
- In a global world and economy, students need to clearly understand diverse assumptions and ways of thinking. Examples: students will read and analyze basic philosophical texts and practices of the world.
- Students will be acquainted with the basic methodologies employed in the study of philosophy. Example: courses require research and the practice of such methodologies.
- A good education in philosophy enhances the individual’s ability to construct a personal and well thought-out value system. Example: examining past philosophies, the student will become aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and how and why many fail in practice.
- Assessment: all majors are required to take PHIL 490 - Thematic Seminar in Philosophy 3 hours. This culminating course requires: a) concentrated study of a particular issue in the chosen field, b) rigorous examination of the literature, c) a major research paper, d) giving and defending the paper to the seminar, a conference or college-wide audience.
Political Science
Chairperson
Brian Kessel, Ph.D.
Full-Time Faculty
Brian Kessel, Ph.D.
David Roebuck, Ph.D.
Day Campus Course Rotation Schedule
Culminating Experience Course
POSC 495 - Independent Study in Political Science and Public Administration 3 hours
PADM 495 - Independent Study in Political Science and Public Administration 3 hours
The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science offers students the opportunity to examine government from theoretical and practical perspectives. As a discipline, Political Science is concerned with theoretical issues such as democracy, justice and equality, and also with such practical issues as the constitutional structure of governments and the relations between branches and levels of government. Political Science also cultivates an understanding of governmental systems in other areas of the world, the manner in which nations interact, and various modes of citizen participation.
Students are exposed to these concepts in the classroom and by enrolling in governmentally related internships. Other learning experiences are also available, including participation in the Columbia College Mock Trial Team and Model United Nations Team.
A degree in Political Science can lead to careers in government, international affairs, journalism, politics, public relations, graduate study in law, public administration, political science and other academic fields.
Public Administration
Chairperson
Brian Kessel, Ph.D.
Full-Time Faculty
Brian Kessel, Ph.D.
David Roebuck, Ph.D.
Day Campus Course Rotation Schedule
Culminating Experience Course
POSC 495 - Independent Study in Political Science and Public Administration 3 hours
PADM 495 - Independent Study in Political Science and Public Administration 3 hours
The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in public administration are interdisciplinary degrees incorporating coursework in public administration, political science, management, psychology, and other academic fields. Available internships provide students a unique opportunity to explore possible career options and to attain “hands on” experience to supplement their coursework.
These degrees prepare students for positions in state and local or national government, health care administration, non-profit management and similar workplaces. Graduates may pursue careers in such areas as urban planning, city management, hospital and clinic administration, fundraising or other positions for non-profit organizations, or international relief agencies.
ProgramsMajorMinorPre-professional
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