Department of Government

Mission

The Mission of the Department of Government is to promote practical application of biblical principles and the original intent of the founding documents of the American republic, while preparing students for lives of public service and citizen leadership. Students will systematically study politics, government, and journalism as they learn to apply the Creator’s great gifts to humanity that aid us in the understanding and ordering of civilization: His special revelation (the revealed word of His Scripture) and His natural revelation (the light of right reason and the knowledge humans develop). Using these tools, graduates can bring unity, clarity, and purpose to the understanding and practice of government.

Majors

The Department of Government offers students a well-grounded program of study, with the opportunity to specialize in one of four tracks:

• Bachelor of Arts in Government
• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

Core Curriculum

The foundation of all majors at Patrick Henry College is the core curriculum which is taught by the Classical Liberal Arts Department. Our core is "Classical" in that it is founded on the great texts and ideas that have stood the test of time and experience, starting with the Holy Scriptures. Importantly, the American founders studied and lived by the great ideas found in these texts. We have designated the core as the "Liberal Arts" because it represents an education for a free people. By it they may learn to appreciate and to maintain their liberty. Thus the Classical Liberal Arts teaches students to think from the first principles of our faith and God-given reason--the special revelation of His Word and the general revelation in creation that is available to all mankind. Every course in theology, history, literature, science, mathematics, philosophy, rhetoric, logic, music, and classical or foreign language reinforces first principles and trains the mind to think and to reason so that students are able to learn, consistently gaining and using knowledge for greater purposes than simply self satisfaction.

Apprenticeship

A distinctive element of the Department and Patrick Henry College is the strong emphasis on apprenticeship methodology. Students are required to apply their understanding of the integrative learning process in vocational settings, including internships, debate, Moot Court, Model United Nations, practica and many other opportunities.

Faculty

	Michael P. Farris, J.D. Chancellor Professor of Government chancellor@phc.edu
	Dr. Farris teaches Constitutional Law, Principles of Leadership, and various electives. As the founding president of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) (1983-2000) he was key leader in making home schooling legal across the United States. In order to devote more time to his role at PHC, he now holds a part time role at HSLDA as chairman. He has argued numerous cases before various courts; the United States Supreme Court, six of the United States Circuit Courts of Appeal, and in the appellate courts of twelve different states. He has been a leading social conservative activist on Capitol Hill for nearly twenty years. Dr. Farris received his Juris Doctorate and was an honors graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington, where he won the Linden Cup Moot Court Competition and was the Articles Editor of the Law Review. He graduated magna cum laude from Western Washington University (formerly Western Washington State College) with a degree in political science.

	Graham Walker, Ph.D. President Professor of Government President@phc.edu
	Dr. Graham Walker is President of Patrick Henry College. Dr. Walker formerly served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OWU) in Bartlesville, OK. He brings to his new role extensive academic and teaching credentials, a history of Christian leadership, and broad experience in university administration. He earned his Ph.D. in political philosophy from Notre Dame in 1988, the same year he received the Edward S. Corwin Award from the American Political Science Association for the best dissertation in the nation in the field of public law. His first book, the Ethics of F.A. Hayek, was published in 1986. His second book, Moral Foundations of Constitutional Thought, was published in 1990 by Princeton University Press. He has also published a variety of essays and chapters in academic journals and books, along with essays in publications including The American Spectator, the Los Angeles Times and National Review Online. His other academic positions have included an eight-year span as Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution (1988-1996), two years as a Member and Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, a tenured, seven-year term as Associate Professor of Politics at The Catholic University of America (1996-2003), and a position as Visiting Scholar in Religion and Philosophy at the American Enterprise Institute (1998-2002).

	Leslie Sillars, Ph.D. Chairman of the Department of Government Director of Journalism Assistant Professor of Journalism ldsillars@phc.edu
	Dr. Sillars is Chairman of the Government Department at Patrick Henry College and directs the Journalism Program. He teaches the journalism courses in the Journalism major (Journalism I and II, Journalism History, Media Law), directs internships as a part of the Government Department's student apprenticeship program, is a student adviser, and oversees the student newspaper. Besides his duties at PHC, Dr. Sillars is Mailbag Editor at WORLD magazine and an instructor at the World Journalism Institute. Dr. Sillars received his Ph.D. in Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin and holds a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary.

	Stephen Baskerville, Ph.D Assistant Professor of Government skbaskerville@phc.edu
	Dr. Baskerville comes to Patrick Henry College as an Assistant Professor of Government to teach Freedom Foundations, Comparative Government, American Political Thought, and Political Theory.  He is a graduate of the London School of Economics and American University.  Dr. Baskerville has taught political science at Howard University in Washington D.C.  He also served as Chairman and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics and European Studies at Palacky University in the Czech Republic.  In addition, he served as an Earhart Fellow at the Howard Center for Family, Religion, and Society in Washington, D.C., and was President of the American Coalition for Fathers of Children. The author of more than seventy articles on fatherhood and family issues, he has appeared widely on national radio and television programs including The O’Reilly Factor, Hardball with Chris Matthews, Court TV, with Fred Graham and Katherine Crier, Think Tank with Ben Wattenberg, Janet Parshall’s America, and others.  Dr. Baskerville is internationally known for commentary on the family courts in America and other democracies.

	Darrel Cox, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biblical Studies dwcox@phc.edu
	Dr. Darrel Cox is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies. Dr. Cox has a Ph.D. in Theological Studies (Biblical and Systematic Theology) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and an M.A. in Public Policy (International Affairs) from Regent University. His previous position was at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, GA., where he was an Associate Professor of Bible and Theology. While at Emmanuel College, Dr. Cox also served as Chairman and Associate Dean of the School of Christian Ministries, as well as a faculty liaison for new academic programs with SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools).

	Stephen M. King , Ph.D. Associate Professor of Government smking@phc.edu
	Dr. Stephen M. King is Associate Professor of Government. Dr. King holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a B.S. from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Dr. King has taught 15 years in Christian higher education. In addition to Patrick Henry College (2006-present), he has served at Oral Roberts University (1991-1998), Regent University (1998-2002), and Campbell University (2003-2006), where he has taught and researched in the areas of Public Administration, Public Policy, and American Government and Politics. In addition to his teaching duties he has held administrative positions, including Chairman of the Department of Government at Patrick Henry (2006-2007) and Coordinator for the Masters in Public Administration program at Regent University (1998-2002). He is the author of God and Caesar: The Biblical Key to Good Government and Community (Action Publishers, 2002), is widely published in academic journals, including Public Administration Review, Public Integrity, and Public Voices, and regularly delivers scholarly papers at academic conferences. He belongs to several professional organizations, including American Political Science Association, American Society of Public Administration, and Christians in Political Science, where he recently served as Program Chairman for the 2007 Conference. He is the author of an undergraduate textbook in public administration titled Administration in the Public Interest: Principles, Policy and Practice (Thomson-Wadsworth Publishing, forthcoming 2008). He enjoys serving in church as Bible teacher and usher, and is active in his community, particularly in the area of youth sports. He is married to Debbra and they have two lovely children--Michelle and Joshua.

	Mark T. Mitchell, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Philosophy mtmitchell@phc.edu
	Dr. Mark Mitchell is Director of the political theory track. He received his B.A. in history from Crown College, his M.A. in philosophy from Gonzaga University and his Ph.D. in government from Georgetown University. Dr. Mitchell teaches Freedom’s Foundations, Ancient and Medieval Political Theory, Modern and Contemporary Political Theory, Conservative Political Thought and other political theory course. His research interests include modern and contemporary political theory, conservative political thought, the political implications of science and technology, and political themes in literature. Dr. Mitchell has published on such figures as Eric Voegelin, Michael Polanyi, Michael Oakeshott, and Flannery O’Connor and on themes including democracy, community, and tradition. His first book, Michael Polanyi: The Art of Knowing, was published in 2006 by ISI Books. He is currently completing a book on modern rootlessness and the challenge this poses for democratic life as well as co-editing a volume on the thought of Wendell Berry.

	Mark Roeder, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Government maroeder@phc.edu
	Dr. Mark Roeder is Assistant Professor of Government and holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Cincinnati, where he taught a variety of Government and Political Science courses. At Patrick Henry College he will teach Comparative Politics and Foreign Policy. Dr. Roeder also holds an M.A. in International Affairs from the University of Dayton, and a B.A. in Political Science and Communication Arts from Cedarville University. His college teaching experience covers a range of Political Science disciplines, from courses in Polls and American Politics to Public Policy, U.S. Supreme Court, and Religion and Politics.

	Gordon R. Middleton, Colonel, USAF, Ret. Director of the Strategic Intelligence Program Adjunct Assistant Professor of Government grmiddleton@phc.edu
	Colonel Middleton teaches History of US Intelligence and Intelligence Research and Analytic Methods. Courses include an overview of the US intelligence organizations, their missions, current issues in the national security and intelligence environment from a Christian perspective, and experience with some of the leading edge analytic methodologies and technologies being used by intelligence professionals. He was a senior military officer and senior civilian in several of the agencies presented in these courses. He also continues to provide senior consulting in the intelligence community. He is an invited guest lecturer on intelligence education in the growing academic community involvement in intelligence instruction. He received a B.S. in physics from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an M.S. in bio-physics from Colorado State University, an M.P.A. in public administration the University of Auburn at Montgomery, and is a third year doctoral candidate in Organizational Leadership at Regent University.