UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2020-2021 [Archived Catalog]
History and Political Science
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Return to: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty
Patrick Connelly
Chair and Associate Professor (2016)
601.925.3326
plconnelly@mc.edu
Support Staff
Alexis Smith
Secretary (2019)
601.925.3221
adsmith@mc.edu
Program Goals
The Department of History & Political Science honors the mission of Mississippi College by teaching and mentoring students in the fields of History, Political Science, Paralegal Studies, Administration of Justice, and Social Studies Education. We equip students to take the transferable skills of critical thinking, writing, oral communication, and data analysis to the marketplace. We prepare students for the responsibilities of citizenship by helping them understand the ideas and institutions that have shaped societies. We cultivate students who seek to pursue human flourishing in their careers and communities.
Our goals for you, the student, include the following:
An understanding of the institutions of government, law, and law enforcement
A foundational awareness of American and world history
An emphasis on internships and experiential learning opportunities
Preparation for career and calling
Appreciation of how faith enriches intellectual inquiry, moral reflection, concern for justice, and respect for human dignity
Students in History and Political Science may elect majors as follows:
History - Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science with pre-legal emphasis.
Political Science - Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science with pre-legal emphasis.
Social Studies Education with Bachelor of Science in Education
Administration of Justice - Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science with pre-legal emphasis, Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security, and Bachelor of Science in Loss Prevention/Security Management
Paralegal Studies with Bachelor of Science
Three-Three Pre-Law Program
After the approval of their academic advisors in consultation with the appropriate department chair, freshman pre-law students with an acceptable ACT or SAT score may elect to enter the Three-Three Program. Ordinarily, a 26 ACT score or 1180 SAT score will qualify a student for the program. Such students are expected to maintain at least 3.25 GPA in their undergraduate work to remain competitive for early admission to the Mississippi College Law School. Students in this program should plan to take the LSAT as soon as possible after their sophomore year, but no later than the fall of their junior year, as an acceptable LSAT score is required for admission to the Mississippi College Law School. Acceptance into the Three-Three Program, however, does not automatically guarantee admission to the Mississippi College Law School. The Three-Three Pre-Law Program allows students to count their first year of law school course work (30 hours) toward the 130 hour requirement for an undergraduate degree. Accordingly, students must satisfactorily complete both three years of undergraduate coursework, as specified herein, and their first year of law school coursework in order to obtain the B.S. degree.
Students should refer to the history, political science or administration of justice sections for course requirements for the Three-Three Pre-Law Program.
History Major
The student electing to major in History may choose either the Bachelor of Arts, or the Bachelor of Science in History, or the comprehensive major in History with a pre-legal emphasis, depending on the student’s vocational plan. History majors who plan to teach may choose the Bachelor of Arts but must take the prescribed education courses for a standard educator license. No more than 3 semester hours of internship or independent study may be used to satisfy degree requirements of any degree plan in History. A minimum of fifty percent of all coursework applied toward the major must be earned at Mississippi College.
Political Science Major
The student electing to major in Political Science may select the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree or the comprehensive major in Political Science with Pre-Legal emphasis. A minimum of fifty percent of coursework applied toward the major must be earned at Mississippi College. Students planning to do graduate work in Political Science are advised to select the B.A. degree; those who plan to attend law school are advised to select the B.S. degree.
Administration of Justice Major
Harry Porter, Director
The Bachelor of Science degrees in Administration of Justice and Homeland Security are offered by the Department of History and Political Science to prepare individuals for professional positions in law enforcement and related criminal justice areas. In addition to general curriculum requirements, courses are offered which develop the skills essential to criminal justice practitioners who are currently engaged in law enforcement work.
Mississippi College will give special transfer credit consideration to all students who have completed an administration of justice/law enforcement curriculum at an accredited community/junior college. A maximum of 18 semester hours of community/junior or senior college equivalent courses with grades of C or better in each may count toward the major in Administration of Justice. Additional transfer courses may be counted as general electives.
Administration of Justice with Emphasis in Homeland Security/Certificate in Homeland Security
Students may receive undergraduate credit in Homeland Security by completing a Certificate in Homeland Security (21 hrs.), by completing of a minor (18 hrs.), or by completing a major in Administration of Justice with an emphasis in Homeland Security.
Paralegal Studies Major
Melissa Jones, Acting Coordinator
This program is designed to train graduates to work under the supervision of attorneys. Since paralegals (also known as legal assistants) are not licensed to practice law, they are prohibited from the Unauthorized Practice of Law, which is a crime under state law.
The major objectives of the paralegal program are the following:
- To increase access to legal services by reducing costs to clients.
- To encourage the growth of the paralegal profession.
- To teach students about legal ethics and to qualify them to work as paralegals in law-related occupations in law offices, government agencies and businesses.
A 27-hour certificate in Paralegal Studies is available to the student who already has a baccalaureate degree. Students need above-average writing skills. All students must pass ENG 099 Writing Proficiency Examination during their first semester. Those who do not pass the Writing Proficiency Examination must take ENG 299 Composition Skills the following semester.
Additional computer classes are highly recommended, as are courses in Business Law, Accounting and Business Communications.
Levels of Specialization:
- A student may major in Paralegal Studies and earn a Bachelor of Science degree.
- A student may earn a paralegal certificate if he or she already has earned a baccalaureate degree.
- A student may earn a minor in Paralegal Studies.
Social Studies Education Major
Otis Pickett, Director
This program is designed specifically for students wishing to teach social studies in the secondary schools. In lieu of a minor, students will complete all requirements for secondary education licensure as prescribed by the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership.
Honors I, II, III
A student who completes all Honors courses, totaling 6 hours, will receive 3 semester hours credit toward the appropriate major - History, Political Science, or Administration of Justice. The other 3 hours count as general elective credit.
Honors Courses
By invitation of the Honors Council; see Junior and Senior Departmental Honors Program section of Undergraduate Catalog.
ProgramsCertificationMajor- Administration of Justice, B.S. (available in traditional and online formats)
- Administration of Justice, Homeland Security, B.S. (available in traditional and online formats)
- Administration of Justice, Loss Prevention/Security Management, B.S. (available in traditional and online formats)
- History with Pre-Legal Emphasis, B.S.
- History, B.A.
- History, B.S.
- Paralegal Studies, B.S. (available in traditional and online formats)
- Political Science with Pre-legal Emphasis, B.S.
- Political Science, B.A.
- Political Science, B.S.
- Social Studies Education, B.S.Ed.
- Three-Three Law/Administration of Justice, B.S.
- Three-Three Law/History Program, B.S.
- Three-Three Law/Political Science Program, B.S.
Minor
CoursesAdministration of JusticeGeographyHistoric PreservationHistoryParalegalPolitical Science
Return to: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
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