History, Politics, and International Studies Department
The Department of History, Politics and International Studies believes that historical thinking is an essential feature of faithful living. In our history classes, we aim to help cultivate in students the skills, knowledge, and virtues necessary for thinking historically. To think historically is to read all dimensions of the creation with a keen and subtle awareness of how they were shaped by processes rooted in the remote and the recent past. It also involves understanding past events, ideas, institutions, and civilizations within their thick and varied contexts. The department offers both a major and minor in history, and a concentration in art history, to achieve these goals.
We also believe in the importance of civic thinking for a vibrant society. Our political science classes develop civic thinking by providing students with the theories, analytical skills, empirical methods, and research opportunities to understand the patterns of conflict and cooperation that characterize relations within and between states and peoples. The department offers a major and minor in political science to achieve these goals.
By its very nature - complex, interconnected, change-prone, and operating across both levels of analysis and time - the academic study of international phenomena is not amenable to traditional disciplinary boundaries. In recognition of this reality, the international studies (INS) major is multi-disciplinary, with an emphasis in the core disciplines of political studies, history and economics, together with intensive training in foreign languages and research methods. In keeping with the commitment to integrated learning and a biblical consciousness of Christ’s preeminence over all things, the international studies program seeks to unfold the implications of this preeminence by studying the history, politics, and economics of the created order in global context, and by treating the international dimension of human behaviors and institutions as a distinct and critically important area of inquiry.
For General Education
The department will help students taking history or political science courses within the core curriculum to understand the shape, political dynamics, and historical roots of the modern world and to ask questions within their own major fields informed by the realities of historical development.
For the History Major
Majors are further assisted in developing a deeper understanding of certain aspects of the past and in thinking critically about the issues and problems of teaching and writing history as Christians. To that end, Introduction to History, Historiography, Senior Seminar in History, and completion of a Capstone Project are required for all history majors. Majors in history at Covenant have led to vocations in teaching, journalism, law, government service, pastoral ministry, academic scholarship, and a host of other fields that benefit from a strong foundation in research skills, writing aptitude, and general training in the liberal arts.
For the Political Science Major
Majors study the actors and institutions that generate cooperation and conflict in society and among states. The starting point for this study is an acknowledgment of human beings as fallen image-bearers and government as an ordained institution, and requires that students be taught the discipline’s scientific basis, values, constraints, theoretical foundations and debates, ethical considerations, content across disciplinary fields, methods of inquiry, and analytical skills.
For the International Studies Major
Majors will develop a deeper understanding of various international phenomena and will be challenged to think and write critically about these phenomena as Christians. To this end, a common international studies core is required for all international studies majors. Students will emerge from the international studies program with a grasp of the major theories, methods and substantive issues pertinent to the study of international political, social and economic phenomena, coupled with advanced training in a foreign language that will prepare the individual for a career with international dimensions. Specifically, the major will prepare students to pursue careers in government, law, journalism, international non- or inter-governmental organizations, business, the military or academia, among others.
Teacher Certification
History Pre-MAT
Students interested in teaching history for grades 6-12 should complete a BA degree with a major in history and then enroll in the one-year Master of Arts in Teaching at Covenant College. It is recommended that the Education Minor be completed.
Political Science Pre-MAT
Students who are interested in teaching political science for grades 6-12 should complete the political science major or the history major and then enroll in the one-year Master of Arts in Teaching at Covenant College. It is recommended that the Education Minor be completed.
Recent Senior Capstone Projects
- “Freedom Summer Revisited: A Comparison of Elite Activist Networks in the 1964-65 Mississippi Voter-Registration Movement”
- “The Pocaiti in Romania under Communist Rule 1946-1989”
- “The Durham Mines and the Convict Lease System: The Devaluation of Life and Inhumane Conditions in a Georgia Convict Camp”
Internships
- Jasper Reynolds Public Relations
- Heritage Foundation
- The American Enterprise Institute
- Research assistant, Chattanooga Times Free Press
- Congressional intern, Office of US Congressman
- International Justice Mission
Where Our Alumni Are
Graduate Schools
- Georgetown University
- University of St. Andrews
- University of Georgia
- Case Western University
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington
- Westminster Seminary California
- University of Georgia School of Law
Job Outcomes for History Majors
- President, Covenant College
- Professor of history, Kennesaw State University
- Legislative correspondent, US House of Representatives
- Executive director, Stillhouse Foundation
- Associate attorney, Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP
- History teacher, Chattanooga Christian School
Programs, Courses, and Requirements
Major and Concentrations
Minors
Graduate School of Education
Undergraduate Departments, Majors, Minors, Certificates, Concentrations, and Programs
Academic Certificates
- Arts Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability
- Journalism and Society
- Medical Ethics Consultation
- Neuroscience
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Art
- Art, 2-D Concentration
- Art, 3-D Concentration
- Art, Art History Concentration
- Art, Graphic Design Concentration
- Art, Photography Concentration
- Art minor
- Art History minor
Biblical & Theological Studies
- Biblical & Theological Studies
- Biblical & Theological Studies, Missions Concentration
- Biblical & Theological Studies minor
- Biblical Languages minor
- History of Christianity minor
- Missions minor
- Youth Ministry minor
Biology
- Biology, Biomedical Concentration
- Biology, Environmental Concentration
- Biology, General
- Biology, Health Professions Concentration
- Biology minor
Business
- Business
- Business, Accounting Concentration
- Business, Finance Concentration
- Business, Marketing Concentration
- Sport Management
- Business minor
- Sport Management minor
Chemistry
- Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration
- Chemistry, General
- Biochemistry minor
- Chemistry minor
Computer Science
- Computer Science
- Computer Science minor
Economics & Community Development
- Community Development
- Economics
- Community Development minor
- Economics minor
Education
- Education Studies
- Elementary Education (P-5)
- Secondary Education Certifications through MAT program
- Education minor
Engineering 3:2 Program
- Natural Science, Pre-Engineering Studies Concentration
English
- English
- English, Writing Concentration
- English minor
- Writing minor
Health, Wellness and Coaching
- Coaching minor
History, Politics, and International Studies
- History
- History, Art History Concentration
- Political Science
- International Studies
- History minor
- Political Science minor
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Interdisciplinary Studies with Concentrations
Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Mathematics minor
Music
- Music, Church Music Concentration
- Music, Creative Studies Concentration
- Music, General Music Concentration
- Music, Instrumental Performance Concentration
- Music, Music Education (Pre-MAT) Concentration
- Music, Organ Performance Concentration
- Music, Piano Pedagogy Concentration
- Music, Piano Performance Concentration
- Music, Vocal Performance Concentration
- Music minor
Philosophy
- Philosophy
- Philosophy minor
Physics
- Physics
- Physics minor
Pre-Professional Programs
- Pre-Law Studies
- Pre-Medical Studies
- Pre-Nursing Studies
- Pre-Physical Therapy Studies
Psychology
- Psychology
- Psychology minor
Sociology
- Sociology
- Sociology, Family Studies & Social Work Concentration
- Sociology minor
Theatre
- Theatre
- Theatre minor
World Languages
- French
- Spanish
- French minor
- Spanish minor