POLITICAL STUDIES
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The Dordt Difference Are you interested in how the world works and how it could be better? Do you wonder how and why people, advocacy groups, political parties, and nations interact as they do? Would you like to make a diff erence in the world? If so, political science is the major for you. Politics, like every other part of this world, belongs to God. Its role is to promote justice for all people as they relate to one another in the public square. We teach and learn about a vision for politics that is centered in Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice represents God’s love for us. As his image bearers, we serve as agents of God in the political arena by loving our neighbors and helping them address their problems and needs as we seek to be living witnesses to the transforming character of God’s justice. As you study politics and government, from that of the smallest municipality to the global community, you will be challenged to understand and develop your role as a Christian citizen. Politics touches all areas of social activity, including families and churches, education and business, media and non-profit organizations, health and scientific research, and government and the economy. Your study of the structures and institutions of government and the public decisions that are made will be examined from a biblical perspective that will prepare you to think critically and act biblically in the world of politics.
THE PROGRAM Political science is a natural fit for law school students. The major leaves room for a minor or complementary electives in other subjects such as history, business, criminal justice, sociology, journalism, digital media production, or foreign languages. We offer a general minor in politics and specialized minors in international relations and public administration. You can combine a political science major with majors in fields such as environmental studies, criminal justice, communication, Spanish, social work, or business to prepare for today’s changing job market.
FRONT ROW SEATS
Iowa’s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses give students an opportunity to hear and meet national political leaders as presidential candidates begin visiting the state two years before the caucuses. Over the years, visitors have included Michael Dukakis, George H. W. Bush, Jesse Jackson, John McCain, Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann, and Carly Fiorina.
HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES The education you’ll receive at Dordt provides a broad base of knowledge that will be useful in a variety of careers. Our political studies graduates have entered fields such as
Off-campus semester programs help you prepare for a career in public service
broadcasting • teaching (secondary and higher education) • city, state, and national government • political advocacy/non-profi t agencies • law • public administration • journalism
• The American Studies Programs in Washington D.C.
Some places our alumni work:
• The Middle East Studies Program
the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, D.C. • a major defense contractor • political science professor • regional coordinator with Bread for the World • marketing professional in Canada • lawyer with his own law firm in California
• The Latin American Studies Program • Chicago Semester • Nicaragua (SPIN) • Netherlands (SPICE)
Dordt graduates have gained acceptance into top-rated public universities in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Virginia, Missouri, Wisconsin, New York, Ontario, and British Columbia, as well as in private law schools and graduate programs at schools such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Notre Dame, Pepperdine, Georgetown, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Hamline, Institute for Christian Studies (Toronto), and Valparaiso.
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT Amy (Nugteren) Vander Vliet graduated in 2006 with a double major in political studies and history (international emphasis). She was accepted to all M.A. programs to which she applied and chose Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., for its reputation and financial aid package. Within a month she was selected as a graduate research fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown, a part-time student position that perfectly suited her interests. In 2008 Vander Vliet graduated with a master of arts in security studies from the Graduate School of Foreign Service. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. in political theory and also had the opportunity to intern for nationally respected scholar Michael Novak at the American Enterprise Institute. “I now appreciate even more Dordt College’s effort to develop a comprehensive curriculum rooted in the Reformed perspective,” says Vander Vliet. “Much of the rest of the academic world is beginning to recognize the influence religion has on people’s behavior.”
• Uganda Studies Program • Washington Journalism Program Internships
• Municipal governments • The county attorney’s office • The sheriff’s department • Sen. Harkin’s Sioux City office, Sen. Thune’s Sioux Falls office • Political campaigns • Non-profit organizations • Various law firms Campus clubs
• Dordt Political Action Club • Criminal Justice Club • Justice Matters • Student newspaper • College radio station For more information go to dordt.edu/ academics/programs/political_studies/
She felt well prepared academically for Georgetown and said Dordt’s emphasis on internships and practical experience was beneficial, as was being in a small town. “It can be an advantage, since you have to think more creatively about both your academic and co-curricular experiences,” she said. “There’s more diversity lurking under the surface than one might expect.”
THE FACULTY Jeff Taylor, Ph.D., University of Missouri. American politics and political thought, international relations, and public policy Jeff.Taylor@dordt.edu Randy Feenstra, M.A., Iowa State University, member of the Iowa State Senate. Public administration adjunct Randy.Feenstra@dordt.edu July 2015