Concentration – PPH

The Philosophy, Politics and History (PPH) concentration explores the big questions and big ideas of human nature, human culture, and human communities. Philosophy examines (among other things) what is real, how that can be known, and how we should then live. Politics considers various ways the communities might live out the answers to such questions and history investigates how such ideas have been enacted in the past and why our current situation is as it now is.

This program of study is rooted in great thinkers and their writings. By approaching Philosophy, Politics and History from an interdisciplinary humanities perspective such as this, rooted in a theologically informed Christian Worldview, PPH students gain knowledge, insight, and creativity as they seek to grasp what things truly matter and why, and how that redounds to the glory of God and the good of people.

After active participation and completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate substantial comprehension of some of the major ideas, issues, debates, and texts from ancient, medieval, and modern Western philosophy, politics, and history.
2. Understand the development of philosophy, politics, and history in relation to Christianity and in particular the Reformed tradition.
3. Show competency with the critical thinking skills and conceptual tools, writing styles, and reasoning methods appropriate to philosophy, politics and history.
4. Display the ability to engage with seminal philosophers, statesmen, and historians, both past and present, considering why, how, and to what end these disciplines provide us with an understanding of the human condition and our place in God’s created order.