History and Government (HSGV)

Faculty

Professor Albert Pleysier
Professor Tony Frye
Associate Professor Ryan Franklin

The study of history leads to the understanding and appreciation of the heritages of humans. Since the time when human beings invented writing, they have left records of their understanding of the world and the events in their lives and how they felt about them. We can use what we learn about the experiences of people who lived before us to help understand, if not solve, problems we face today. Though the modern world is quite different from the societies in which our ancestors lived, the knowledge of their accomplishments and failures is an important standard by which we can measure the quality of our own lives and the success of our social arrangements.

Government is the critical study of classical and modern political theories and ideas, including the ideas that have shaped U.S. governmental institutions. It includes the study of the processes, structures and institutions of U.S. government, including international or global relationships. The study of history and government fosters individual and social responsibilities, including ethical conduct and citizenship.

The history and government faculty have certain major objectives it strives to accomplish through its curriculum. First, and of paramount importance, is the student’s acquisition of historical knowledge. The number and content of courses offered, coupled with the flexible structure of history and government major, enable students to pursue a wide range of topics. Second, history and government students are exposed to an enormous amount of material which they learn to organize into meaningful categories of information. Third, students of history and government must be able to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms. Finally, the constant improvement of student reading ability is also of major importance. Text assignments, reviews of journal articles, research for term papers and texts permit students to use and strengthen these essential analytical and critical thinking skills.

PRE-LAW

The pre-law student must satisfy all general education requirements as well as the major and minor requirements in his or her chosen areas of study to be awarded an undergraduate degree from Piedmont University. Law schools generally do not specify a particular undergraduate major as preliminary preparation for a legal education. The American Bar Association recommends that undergraduate study should provide thorough intellectual training in social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. The liberal arts curriculum of Piedmont University provides this recommended foundation.

Admission requirements at most law schools normally include the completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree program; a satisfactory overall grade-point average; a satisfactory score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT); and letters of reference. The requirements concerning grade average and LSAT score vary among law schools. Students who plan to attend a law school are urged to contact lsac.org to familiarize themselves with requirements and recommendations for admission to law schools. Upon entering at Piedmont, students should begin working with the University pre-law advisor, Tony Frye, associate professor of political science.

Accelerated JD Program: In partnership with Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science or English. Earn your law degree in six years, instead of seven. Students majoring in History and Government (HSGV) or English (ENGL), admitted into the program, complete three years of undergraduate study (90 hours) and then apply credits earned in their first year of law school at Mercer University toward fulfillment of their baccalaureate degree requirements.

Accelerated students reduce the cost of their undergraduate education by as much as 25 percent while entering the workforce a year early.