History, Politics, and Global Affairs

Department Chairperson - Dr. Joseph Bobak

The distinctive program of History, Politics, and Global Affairs (HPGA) seeks to enhance the personal lives, professional competencies and commitment to lifelong learning of students whether they study HPGA as majors, minors, or through the general education program. The disciplines of History, Political Science and Global Affairs are an integral part of the liberal arts. They can produce a liberally educated person who values knowledge and has the capacity to acquire knowledge, to think critically, and to apply the mature judgment required of a free and responsible citizen in a democratic society.

Specifically, the History, Political Science, and Global Affairs (HPGA) program brings students, through a study of the past, present, and future to an understanding of world societies and the forces which mold their institutions. In a broader sense, it aims to help students contextualize the development of humanity and appreciate and value their societies and institutions.

The goals of the History, Political Science, and Global Affairs (HPGA) program contribute to the College’s curricular purpose by enabling students to perceive the larger social, political, economic, historical, geographical, and environmental contexts within which individual action is set. Knowledge of the dynamic processes underlying these contexts will lead students to identify those points in their individual lives and careers where they can contribute responsibly to life in an interdependent world.

Students who complete the major in History, Politics, and Global Affairs will demonstrate:

1. Knowledge Base in History, Politics, and Global Affairs - Students will demonstrate depth of fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, trends within social science, and empirical findings to discuss how historical, political, and global principles apply to social phenomena. 

2. Critical Thinking - Students will demonstrate skills and concepts in historic interpretation and methodologies as well as basic political processes, institutions, and concepts as they operate in different national and international contexts. Furthermore, students will evaluate arguments in an impartial fashion.

3. Information Literacy in Social Science Research - Students will identify and describe the contours (Characteristics) and stakes (Assertions) of conversations among historians, political scientists, and geographers within the social sciences.

4. Communication - Students will demonstrate the ability to construct a cogent argument, present information orally, and in written form, engage in discussion of historic, political, and global concepts, explain the ideas of others, and express their own ideas with clarity, as well as produce a research study or other historical project.

5. Professional Competence - Students will be able to apply history specific content and methodologies to succeed in post baccalaureate employment, graduate school, professional school, and or professional organizations.