M.A. in Government

A comprehensive overview of career management principles and practices to more effectively equip students for employment and career advancement from a Christian worldview perspective.

Qualitative and quantitative reasoning, the basic principles of the philosophy of science, and positivist and reflexivist approaches to knowledge creation.

Offers a biblical perspective of the religious, philosophical, and cultural foundations of Western civilization as expressed in education, law, ethics, biology, politics, science, psychology, sociology, economics and history. It will contrast biblical Christianity with the other principal worldviews in Western civilization: Secular Humanism, Marxism/Leninism and Cosmic Humanism (New Age), and will analyze public policy issues using each worldview.

Examines the history of the Constitution, the structure, power and limitations of each of the 3 branches of the federal government, the power and rights of the states, and the authority of local governments (counties and cities). Cross-listed with LAW 819 and MLAW 619.

Considers the Bill of Rights (including the delicate relationship between church & state, freedom of speech and freedom of worship), the rights of liberty, equal protection and due process arising from the 14th Amendment, and the subsequent rise and effects of judicial policy-making (including the “right to privacy,” the “right to intimate sexual choice,” and the “right to die”). Cross-listed with EHEA 508, LAW 820, and MLAW 620.

Covers the basic aspects of religion and politics as reflected in scholarship and period sermons. There are also strong connections with scriptural principles relevant to the topic.

Covers the basic aspects of various current policy initiatives. Each topic has a class devoted to biblical principles, guest lecturers from experts in the related fields and brief oral reports presented by students.

The major approaches and methodologies of international relations, examines the First, Second and Third Debates within the field, reviews emerging topics and identifies research questions.

Provides historical and contemporary legal issues that have, and will continue to shape colleges and universities today. Discusses legal issues regarding the college and trustees, administrators and staff. Investigates the legal basis of higher education in the United States to include constitutional provisions and federal statutes that influence higher education policy. Prepares emergent administrators for preventative law measures in an increasing litigious environment. Cross-listed with EHEA 503 and 803.

The history, evolution and modern-day dynamics, policy and issues within human resource management, discussing examples from all three levels of government.

Understanding the development of successful fiscal policy initiatives, the technical material and the political processes involved in making tax and spending policy to interact effectively with other professionals in the development, prosecution and ultimate attainment of a public policy objective. Recommended: complete GOV 602 or equivalent experience to be determined by the instructor.

Concepts and methodologies; the institution of the presidency including role of elections, ideology and party politics; methods for measuring success of presidential initiatives; executive power and relationship to legislative and judicial branches; relations with the media, with NGO’s, lobbies and international actors and organizations.

Methodologies and concepts for the study of legislative politics; historical and contemporary legislative policymaking process, as well as relations with the executive and judicial branches, the role of lobbies and special interests and contemporary issues including polarization, the drawing of congressional districts and the role of ideology in Congress.

Examination of the philosophical and religious roots of early America from the colonial era to the formation of the Constitution.

Explores the role of the various U.S. intelligence agencies in assessing foreign and domestic terror threats, developing effective counterterrorism strategies, and thwarting terrorist aggression.  Topics include intelligence collection and analysis, domestic vs. foreign intelligence, uses and limits of intelligence for counterterrorism, ethical issues in intelligence, and intelligence oversight and reform.

An in-depth analysis of the history of the discipline of American public administration and a development of several distinct principles of normative administrative theory and Judeo-Christian ethics based upon classics in the field.

Focuses on theories of organizational structure, dynamics, policy and issues within the public organization.

Broadens individual understanding of the ever changing nature of international terrorism and its consequences on American society at large. It covers the present-day US domestic and external responses to terrorism and focus on the rise of the US Homeland Security Agency.  Also, there is a focus on trends in modern terrorism, especially the proliferation of WMD and what the US can do (or is doing) to counter such trends.

Policies and procedures to mitigate, prevent and respond to disaster, the literature of risk, regimes for safety and risk reduction, the ethics of care and compassion, and mechanisms for measuring threat and recovery.

Historical development of US national security policy and doctrines; major theoretical approaches to determining national security objectives and strategies; roles and relations of major actors in making US national security policy; contemporary national security challenges including terrorism, WMDs and the growth of violent extremism.

Historical development of US foreign policy principles; actors involved in creation of foreign policy, role of interest groups and special interests; economic aspects of US foreign policy and the role of ideology and religion; considers America’s role in the world today.

From a strategic management perspective, explore principles and practices of management and administration as they apply to not-for-profit organizations. Unique organizational issues covered include board-staff relations; recruiting and motivating volunteers; accountability; organizing for and managing growth; and strategies to respond to changes in the political, economic and cultural environment.

Provides lectures, case studies, outside speakers, and class discussion of development and advancement issues in the management of not-for-profit ministries. Explores fundraising, including determining sources of support, planning the campaign, and successful strategies; marketing ministries, including promotional campaigns and public relations; and management issues including recruiting and managing volunteers.

Supervised work experience for the purpose of applying curriculum content to current public policy, political management or public administration issues. Requires approval of advisor through submission of Individual Study Form and written internship proposal. Political Management students may fulfill the internship requirement with volunteer and/or paid positions with two or more political campaigns, in consultation with the Program Director.

An in-depth and applied study of the principles and practices of starting a nonprofit organization or program through the development of a feasibility study and business plan.

Developing the thesis proposal from GOV 698 into an extended, well-written document incorporating critical analysis and synthesis and involving original work.  Prerequisite:  Permission of Instructor.