The History, Philosophy, Political Science and Religion Department at Marietta College offers majors in History and Political Science with minors in Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, Philosophy, and Religion.

In addition, several programs allow students to put into practice what they have learned. Strategic relationships with both the Foreign Affairs College and the University of International Relations in China have allowed students to study abroad and professors to visit the colleges. Both institutions also send students and professors to Marietta, providing insight into Chinese culture that is difficult to obtain through coursework.

Marietta College also hosts the annual Asian Studies Symposium where students from various colleges gather to present papers on Asian topics.

As part of the McDonough Center for Business and Leadership, the International Leadership Studies program offers international opportunities for students to travel to Latin American countries and meet with community leaders involved in urban and rural reform.

Philosophy
The word "philosophy" is of Greek origin and means "love of wisdom." We often think of a philosopher as someone who contemplates fundamental questions of life, death, and truth. Today's philosophers dwell on the topics of our rapidly changing world. Indeed, because philosophers take such care with thought, the study of philosophy provides the highest level of training in analytical or reasoning skills.

Students who minor in Philosophy take courses covering logic, aesthetics, ethics, and metaphysics/epistemology. They become familiar with what some of the greatest thinkers in the world have believed about art and beauty, goodness and the difference between right and wrong, reality, and the study of the criteria on which we base our claims to knowledge.

Class sizes are small and consist largely of discussion, so students have the opportunity to discuss and explore philosophical issues with other students and the professor.

The philosophy minor helps prepare students for law school and other graduate programs, as well as careers in government, teaching, and business.

Religion
Students pursuing the minor in Religion study courses such as Contemporary American Religion, Women in Judeo-Christian Tradition, History of Religion in the U.S., Sociology of Religion, Renaissance and Reformation, and Religion in Revolutionary Age.

Combined with the right major, the Religion minor can lead to an array of exciting careers, including social service work, religious broadcasting, publishing, or journalism; education as a college instructor or librarian; or full-time work as a youth leader or music director.