Engage the complexities of the human experience through History, Sociology and Political Science.
Asbury University’s Department of Social Science and History brings together an array of faculty members who share an interest in the foundations of the social and political order. Two disciplines long at the heart of the social science enterprise are political science and sociology. Through theoretically informed, empirically-based study of political and social systems (respectively), these disciplines help students understand how human civilizations have functioned across time and place, with particular emphasis on the role of individuals, families, groups, nation-states, regimes, ideology, and culture during the modern era. Scholars of history, on the other hand, bring an assortment of methodological tools and perspectives onto the task of understanding and interpreting events and eras. Each of the disciplines under this Departmental umbrella can prepare undergraduates to thrive across any number of professions and work settings.
At present, the Department offers undergraduate programs in all three of these areas. The political science program is a 42 credit major with emphases in international affairs or American politics. The sociology program features 35 credit hours of coursework, with emphases in classical sociology or global studies and engagement. The history program is composed of 33 credit hours of study, with flexibility for students to draw from many upper division history courses. Each program also encourages students to engage in internships, independent studies, and study abroad opportunities.
January 11, 2023 — January serves as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and Asbury remains dedicated to providing awareness to students through a new class in the political science department.
December 9, 2022 — Dr. Lisa Weaver Swartz, assistant professor of sociology, recently received the Jesus Creed Book of the Year Award from American theologian Scot McKnight for her book, Stained Glass Ceilings: How Evangelicals Do Gender and Practice Power.
November 28, 2022 — Dr. Alex Mayfield, assistant professor of history at Asbury University, co-published a new article about his work with the China Historical Christian Database, an international, multi-institution project which quantifies the history of Christianity in China from 1550 to 1950.
November 2, 2022 — Dr. Lisa Weaver Swartz, assistant professor of sociology, recently published her new book, Stained Glass Ceilings: How Evangelicals Do Gender and Practice Power.
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Countries with Asbury Alumni
Asbury grads are living and working in more than 80 countries around the world.
Meet Joe Pitts '61
Before his retirement in 2017, Asbury University alumnus Joe Pitts ‘61 served 20 years as the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional district.