International Relations

The international relations program exposes students to essential questions regarding the processes by which the complexities of interdependence meet with deeply held individual values. Broadly speaking, this involves answering the fundamental question of who gets what, where, when, how, and why in international relations. International relations is an interdisciplinary program that equips students with the breadth (i.e., perspectives) and depth of coverage to contemplate and effectively respond to these questions. More detailed inquiry into a specific geographical region is also possible within the program.

Students pursuing this major are strongly encouraged to incorporate more foreign language and international travel into their academic program. A variety of May Term and semester-long opportunities exist. Moreover, we encourage students to doublemajor in a related field, such as economics, foreign language, history, international business, political science, religion, or sociology to further enhance their understanding and preparation.

Program Goals:

• To expose students to numerous interdisciplinary perspectives regarding the nature of international relations.
• To recognize the existence of complex interdependence within and among cultures.
• To foster greater understanding of international affairs and statecraft.
• To foster the ability to think critically about international affairs.
• To demonstrate competent research skills in a professional manner.
• To effectively communicate in both oral and written forms.
• To prepare students for entry into government service, intergovernmental service, non-governmental service, international business, and/or graduate school.

Political Science

The political science program, part of the Social Sciences Department, believes that knowledge of political science is a requisite for responsible citizenship and a necessity for anyone expecting to enter a career in law, public administration, law enforcement, civil service, or teaching. Unique features of the program include American Legislature and Judiciary, a May Term course that offers study of national government for several days on location in Washington, D.C. An international political intern program with the German parliament, Deutsche Bundestag, is supervised by an arrangement with the University of Bonn in Germany.

Program Goals:

• To instill a basic understanding of what constitutes "political questions," whether of a normative or empirical character.
• To develop a foundation of substantive knowledge with respect to basic concepts, institutions, and processes within American, comparative, and international relations.
• To foster the ability to think and act critically about substantive public policy issues.
• To develop, through application, the ability to formulate and undertake research on problems of political significance.
• To promote an awareness of political science as an academic discipline defined by diverse (competing) paradigms, strategies, and techniques of analysis.

Psychology

The psychology program, part of the Social Sciences Department, approaches psychology as an academic discipline, a profession, and a science. Faculty present the field of psychology as one that is diverse and exciting. All faculty members hold a Ph.D. degree in a specialized area of psychology and actively pursue professional and research interests. Students can collaborate with faculty members on a variety of projects and programs. Students may work with professional service providers in an off-campus field experience, gaining job-relevant skills and knowledge in a clinical, educational, or human services setting.

Program Goals:

• Demonstrate command of theory, concepts, and methods in the core content areas of psychology (learning/memory, developmental, abnormal, clinical/counseling, and social/organizational)..
• Use critical thinking skills in evaluating psychological theory, research, and practice and apply accepted methods and principles of research in developing, conducting, and reporting an original psychology research project.
• Appreciate the role of psychology as a science and practice aimed at improving human welfare and understand the professional/ethical responsibilities that accompany this role.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal relationship skills and a sense of professionalism in interactions with others (such as peers, clients, research participants, professionals, administrators).
• Communicate written and oral information in accordance with professional and scholarly standards.

Sociology

The discipline of sociology is the social scientific study of human groups and societies. The sociology major at Wartburg College focuses on developing conceptual and practical knowledge and skills in the discipline of sociology. We are an active interdisciplinary major in the department of social sciences that offers multiple opportunities for field research, domestic and international travel, and applied work and service learning opportunities to demonstrate and understand the relevance of sociology through experiential learning. There are many opportunities to collaborate with faculty in various projects and programs. The sociology major prepares students for a diverse range of careers in both public and private sectors and continued education toward a postgraduate degree. Program goals for students in the sociology major are:

Program Goals:

• Use critical thinking to examine and evaluate a wide range of social phenomenon and organizations.
• Demonstrate command of theory, methods, and empirical examinations of society in a manner that furthers the discipline of sociology.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills consistent with the professional expectations of the discipline.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the social, historical, political, and economic contexts of human groups, organization, and interactions.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, professional responsibilities, and ethical sensibilities in research and applied work.
• Compete successfully in being admitted to graduate programs in sociology and/or obtaining a professional position utilizing applied sociological expertise.

Goal for students completing the teaching major in sociology (secondary education) is:

• To use effective and reflective teaching strategies designed to help secondary students learn basic concepts and principles in general sociology.

Who has a degree in sociology?

Social reformers Francis Perkins, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Saul Alinsky; actors Robin Williams and Dan Akroyd; professional athletes Joe Theisman and Alonzo Mourning; former President Ronald Reagan; Iowa Governor Terry Brandstad; and Nobel Peace Prize winner Emily Balch, all completed their undergraduate degrees in sociology.

Recent Wartburg College sociology graduates are working in the fields of community organizing, law enforcement, human services, marketing, financial services, college student services, policy and survey research, and church-related organizations. Others are pursing graduate degrees in sociology, child development, criminal justice, and clinical psychology.

What can I do with these majors? - Career Options

All major requirements and course descriptions are available in the online academic catalog.