There are many reasons to choose one of the major courses of study from the Department of History, Political Science, and Humanities. With a variety of programs offered, a creative and seeking mind can find a world of possibilities within these disciplines. The Department of History, Political Science, and Humanities offers majors in Art, History, Humanities, and Political Science. Below is a brief description on each of these courses of study.
Art
The B.A. in Studio Art provides thorough training in the visual arts within the framework of a Christian world view. Our goals are to foster excellence and to serve God and society through the development and use of creative artistic abilities.
One of the ways that we are created in the image of God is our ability to be creative. The Lee University Art faculty is committed to providing an environment that fosters creativity in students. A variety of media and processes are used to enable students to develop technical artistic skills and the ability to think conceptually and creatively.
Following from our belief that a culture is defined by its art, students will become knowledgeable in the history of art in order to profit from what has been done by past artists. By studying the creative efforts of other cultures students will become more aware of the God-given talents of mankind and how each of us can contribute meaningfully in today’s society. In addition, students will engage with contemporary artistic issues that are a part of modern society. By engaging in these concepts students will become more aware of the importance of a Christian witness in the visual arts and how this might be accomplished.
History
Students electing to major in history have the opportunity to select from a varied field of study designed to provide instruction and direction that will enable graduates to succeed in future endeavors such as graduate programs and professional careers. The program also offers students the opportunity to gain teacher licensure. Students are taught to think critically, to communicate (in both written and verbal form) in an articulate manner, and to respect opinions and ideas unlike their own. Finally, the program seeks to instill in students an appreciation of their own history as well as the histories of others.
Humanities
The Humanities major offers a multi-disciplinary foundation for understanding and appreciating the western cultural tradition. All Humanities students explore various expressions of western literature, philosophy, music and the fine arts within their original historical contexts, in relation to one another, and in relation to modern institutions and cultures. Based on the strengths of its faculty, the major offers its students the opportunity to specialize in one of three concentrations: Liberal Arts, Art History, and Philosophy.
Political Science
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science is designed to prepare the students for numerous post graduation experiences, the most obvious of which include government services, graduate school, and law school. In addition, this degree provides students with the skills necessary to compete in such widely diverse career fields as public and international affairs, campaign management, lobbying and issue advocacy, and many others.
Students of political science at Lee will explore life within civil society and attempt to understand the links between men as rational, political beings. Students examine their own system and those abroad through the lenses of theory and empirical data in an attempt to align matters of policy and justice. The major’s three tracks – Political Theory/Law, American Government, and Comparative Politics/International Relations – will engage these ideas as they relate to each field.
In the book of Matthew, Christ teaches us that our obligation to our neighbor is second only to our duties to God Himself. The political science program encourages students to consider their role within the political community as thoughtful Christian citizens. Professors engage students inside and outside of the classroom, encouraging them to consider how their faith affects their political viewpoints.
In addition to the critical engagement of questions of faith and politics, the program also exposes students to a variety of experiences that will enhance their learning and prepare them for graduate school and beyond. Internship programs give students the option to gain valuable practical experience and to discover whether or not a career in government or law is something they wish to pursue. Political science cross-cultural trips provide students with the opportunity to learn and explore politics in other cultural settings. And finally, the department offers practical workshops on graduate application processes, resume writing, and research techniques to help prepare students as they move on to graduate school, law school, or other career paths.