Political Science Mission Statement

Vision

We empower others to understand and to engage constructively with institutions, societies, families, and people, enabling all to realize their divine potential.

Mission

As disciple-scholars, we apply spiritual principles, sound reason, and scientific evidence in pursuit of the “good and safety of society” (D&C 134). We teach, mentor, research, deliberate, serve, and communicate to improve the character and lives of God’s children around the world through the rigorous study of political institutions, behavior, and values.

Values

Faith in Christ
We express our faith in Christ; He provides the hope behind our pursuit of the good society.

Charity
We foster an environment that promotes the pure love of Christ. We seek to understand those we come in contact with, as well as conduct our research and work through a lens of Christ-like love, for “All are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33).

Humility
We recognize that we all “see through a glass darkly” (1 Corinth. 13:12) and thus seek continual learning “by study, and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). We approach all we do with humility, recognizing that our capacity to learn comes from first acknowledging what we do not know.

Excellence
We actively pursue excellence in disciple-scholarship, holding ourselves to high standards of research, teaching, mentorship, and private and public engagement as we seek to influence our students, colleagues, and society for good.

Engagement
We teach and model civil engagement in society and politics. We strive through our actions to show that "there is a peaceful, respectful way to resolve complex issues and... to work out disagreements" (Pres. Nelson, April 2023). We seek opportunities to share our scholarship with others and to foster understanding of our world.