Global Languages and Cultures
Mission
The Mission of the Global Languages and Cultures program is to provide students with a comprehensive educational experience that hones not only linguistic skills in the target language but also advances cultural competency, critical thinking, and information literacy skills. The Global Languages program plays a strategic role in the University’s efforts to develop a worldview and transform students into responsible, well-rounded, and accomplished global citizens.
Vision
The Global Languages and Cultures program will cultivate effective 21st century communicators, who will understand that linguistic and cultural boundaries can be overcome through knowledge, mutual understanding, and respect.
Aims and Objectives
The Global Languages and Cultures program offers courses in language, literature, and culture as well as specialized courses in terminology and practices in fields such as business, criminal justice, social services, and health sciences.
The languages offered are German, Spanish, Arabic, French, and Latin with majors offered in Spanish and Global Cultures. Minors are offered in Arabic, French, and Spanish.
History and Archaeology
Mission Statement
Historians treat the past as a foreign place that can unlock the mysteries of the present and the future. Thinking like a historian will help you understand how attention to change, context, and contingency is critical to understanding the ethical and political dilemmas of the past, present, and future. These skills provide a foundation for careers in law, medicine, education, business, and public policy. The Gannon University department of history and archaeology seeks to inculcate its students with this “historical thinking” and a global vision that equips students with skills for a diverse and increasingly interconnected world.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to become an integral part of Gannon University’s humanities division that is known regionally for providing excellent classroom instruction, innovative programs, and producing cutting edge historical research. We strive to accomplish our vision by embracing rigorous academic inquiry with a constant awareness that a focus on students is vital to our program’s success.
Aims and Objectives
We must probe the past if we are to understand the problems of the present as well as the identity of humankind. Without history, we have no knowledge of who we are or how we came to be; we are like victims of collective amnesia groping in the dark for our identity.
Legal Studies
The Legal Studies Program mission, at Gannon University, is to provide consistency with the University mission that includes preparing students to enter the legal field with the knowledge, skills and competency to be valued and respected members of the legal profession.
The most important goal of the legal studies program is to prepare students to enter careers in the legal field, in law firms, courts and in public and private settings with the skills important to employers, which includes a strong exposure in what is considered ethical behavior, and with the understanding that without a law degree and bar admission, they will only work under the supervision of an attorney. Other goals include the ability to work on a team and expand their knowledge through continuing legal education.
The objectives of the program are to:
Understand the structure of the State and Federal court system.
Understand the differences between civil and criminal practice.
Analyze (by briefing) reported legal opinions.
Research legal problems using primary and secondary resources.
Write clear, effective legal memoranda, using proper citation form, and to write with good grammar and spelling skills.
Conduct effective interviews with clients and witnesses.
Understand the procedure in a civil suit and draft appropriate pleadings.
Be familiar with basic concepts of business organizations and contract law.
Recognize the ethical standards of the paralegal profession.
A paralegal must follow the guidelines regarding the unauthorized practice of law of the state in which he/she is performing legal services.
Legal Assistants/Paralegals provide professional services in a variety of legal, business settings and corporations, usually, but not exclusively under the supervision of a lawyer. These services can include: interviewing, investigation, legal research, preparation of legal documents, review of transcripts and participation in adversary and regulatory proceedings. One of the fastest growing professions nationally, legal assistants/paralegals are employed by individual attorneys, law firms, courts and government legal offices. They are also in growing demand by corporations, government agencies, financial institutions, insurance companies and real estate firms. Program graduates are advised not to confine their search for employment to the Erie market. Employment should be sought throughout the United States and beyond. Gannon University’s program offers three options:
A four-year baccalaureate degree (program)
A two-year associate degree (program)
A certificate option (program)
Students pursuing other majors may double major or complete a certificate while completing their chosen four-year degree program, with the permission of the program director and the Dean of the College where the program lies.
Transfer students may use legal specialty coursework completed at another institution, as a substitute for required legal specialty courses, with Director permission.
Political Science
Vision Statement
The Political Science program seeks to attract talented students who are intellectually curious about political life and global affairs. As a dedicated community of teaching and learning, we strive to promote awareness and understanding of the key perennial questions concerning the nature of politics. Our efforts will draw strength from Gannon’s Catholic Identity and emphasis on Liberal Learning, and contribute to the enhancement of the intellectual life of the University.
Mission Statement
The Political Science program is dedicated to providing our students with the necessary perspectives to critically and normatively evaluate the wide variety of political regimes that have existed in different time periods and different parts of the world. Our students will develop an understanding of the purpose of politics as the effort to structure a community dedicated to the promotion of justice and the common good. This understanding is developed by making connections across the various academic disciplines, applying moral reasoning to public affairs, and cultivating the virtue of prudence.
Objectives
The Political Science program offers an undergraduate curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. It also provides the opportunity for students to pursue a dual major or acquire one or two minors. The program covers the four major subfields of political science: American Politics, Political Theory, Comparative Government and International Relations. The curriculum provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in either graduate school or law school, or directly pursue a career in the public, private or not for profit sectors.
Public Service and Global Affairs
Public Service and Global Affairs (PSGA) is an inter-disciplinary major rooted in the study of Global Languages, History, Legal Studies and Political Science. The major is intended to intellectually and vocationally prepare students for careers in public service and global affairs. In pursuit of this, the major mandates study abroad and internships while providing experiential education opportunities and embedding career preparation in its curriculum. The variety of courses and field experiences allow students the flexibility to build a curriculum and set of classes that jive with their interests and career goals.
Vision Statement
The Public Service and Global Affairs (PSGA) program seeks to attract talented students who have a global perspective and are culturally sensitive and internationally competent so that they can be effective workers and citizens of an increasingly global and diverse society, economy, and workplace. Our efforts will draw strength from Gannon’s Catholic Identity and emphasis on liberal learning, and contribute to the enhancement of the intellectual life of the University.
Mission Statement
The Public Service and Global Affairs (PSGA) program is an inter-disciplinary, undergraduate program dedicated to high quality education, research, and service enhanced by making connections across various academic disciplines. Students will be empowered to be highly skilled professionals committed to public service careers in government, nonprofits, international organizations or the private sector, supported by high-quality, evidence-based research. Essentially, we seek to inspire students to become global citizens and responsible public servants. To that end, PSGA offers its students a diverse curriculum that balances the arts, sciences and humanities with professional training.