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At Cedarville University, your experience as a student in the Department of History and Government goes beyond the classroom. Whether you’re passionate about politics, debate, international relations, or leadership, you’ll find opportunities to hone your skills and develop your strengths.

Through student-led organizations, you’ll gain hands-on experience that prepares you to think critically about global and local issues, navigate the professional world, and represent Christ well in your life.

Student Organizations

Alexander Hamilton Society (AHS)

AHS is a student organization that aims to help students explore issues of foreign policy, national security, and international affairs through group discussions, speaker events with distinguished scholars, and conversations with local faculty. Through our rigorous, refreshing, and engaging dialogue, we help prepare students for the field of international affairs.

Alpha Delta Nu

Alpha Delta Nu provides criminal justice students with the opportunity to enhance their professional development. Members believe that a career in criminal justice is a ministry in a God-ordained institution, which is government.

Federalist Society

The Federalist Society is a national organization for students, lawyers, academics, and other legal professionals that provides a forum for networking, hosting speakers, and publishing. With over ten thousand law student and sixty-five thousand professional members, the Federalist Society seeks to preserve limited, constitutional government, federalism, and individual liberty.

Official Website

History and Government (H&G) Org

The mission of the History and Government Organization is to provide an avenue for history and government students to get involved within the department and engage with H&G faculty and fellow students with similar interests and career goals. Additionally, with the help of faculty, the org aims to develop and train H&G students to excel in their respective fields while living out the Gospel.

Legal Society

The Cedarville Legal Society is an organization for undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in the law, seeking to attend law school in the future, or simply with an interest in American Jurisprudence. Through events, meetings, and guest lecturers, the organization seeks to educate students on the technicalities of a career in law and to equip students for future success in their legal education.

Turning Point USA

Turning Point USA at Cedarville University is a student movement for freedom that advocates for personal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.

Official Website

Young Americans Foundation (YAF)

Mission Statement: Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) is a conservative youth activism organization committed to promoting and preserving conservative principles. At Cedarville University, our Chapter integrates a Christian worldview with conservative political ideology, emphasizing the importance of political engagement within the Christian community.

Key Focus Areas:

  1. Advocating Biblical Principles and Values: Our YAF chapter is dedicated to promoting the gospel and embodying Christian values in the political arena. We aim to demonstrate the application of biblical principles in public policy and political discourse, fostering a community that loves God and others through political engagement.
  2. Promoting Conservative Principles: YAF champions the principles of limited government, individual liberty, free enterprise, strong national defense, and traditional American values. We seek to educate and inspire students to uphold these ideals in their personal and public lives.
  3. Critiquing Liberal Principles: The organization provides critical analysis of liberal ideologies, including government regulation, social welfare programs, critical race theory, and contemporary social movements often referred to as “wokeness.” We encourage informed debate and discussion on these topics to promote a well-rounded understanding of political issues.

Student Opportunities

Lyceum Lecture

The Lyceum Lecture Series at Cedarville University brings distinguished thinkers, writers, and artists to campus to speak on compelling topics that connect culture, the arts, and ideas with a Christ-centered perspective.

Students in history and government may be chosen to be a fellow based on academic excellence and love of the arts. Lyceum fellows join reading groups, engage thought leaders, and experience the arts.

Mock Trial

Cedarville University’s Mock Trial team gives students the opportunity to compete as attorneys and witnesses in simulated jury trials based on a nationally recognized case developed by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA).

Open to students from any major, Mock Trial meets regularly throughout the academic year and equips participants with valuable skills in public speaking, critical thinking, persuasion, and teamwork under pressure.