The aim of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department is to assist students in becoming more well-rounded American citizens and disciples in the Lord’s kingdom, based on a thorough consideration of individuals, civilizations and events both past and present. Students pursuing studies in this department will develop as more effective servants of God and mankind, as they grow in their understanding of the social world and their own academic development—which includes reading broadly, thinking critically, and honing vital communication skills.

Social Science helps students understand the present by focusing on the people and events of the past that have shaped it, as well as the institutions, values and interactions of contemporary society. The cultural, economic, sociological, and political aspects of global affairs are discussed through academic disciplines including history, economics, sociology and political science.

Behavioral Science encompasses the study of the motivations, limitations and potential of human activity, through such disciplines as psychology, social work and sociology. In seeking to understand the dynamics of individual choices that, collectively, become societal norms, students are brought to a better understanding of the “how” and “why” of human behavior and social activities.