History and Political Science

Investigate political dynamics and the history that contextualizes our world’s present and future.

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History and Political Science


The Department of History and Political Science is designed to make an essential contribution to a liberal arts education. Students pursuing degrees in either history or political science will gain a comprehensive and integrated knowledge of history, the training necessary for more advanced study in history and political science, and the practical knowledge of historical and political developments. These are all essential parts of preparing students who expect to enter the professions of law, government service, politics, education, and business.

Selected Course Offerings

  • Great Britain and the British Empire
  • Women, War, and Peace
  • Global Politics
  • Southern History
  • Presidency and Congress
  • Constitutional Law and Politics
  • 20th Century U.S. History
  • Paths Not Taken

Renee Katz

Political Science '23

Renee is a 2023 graduate of Centenary College of Louisiana, majoring in political science with a minor in history. She is pursuing a master’s degree in international security and a graduate certificate in Biodefense at George Mason University. She is currently working for the foreign policy and defense team at the American Enterprise Institute in D.C.she specializes in non-traditional security threats related to emerging technology, as well as U.S.-China relations.

Tewanna Hawkins

Politcal Science '22

Tewanna is completing a Masters of Arts in Strategic Communication with a Concentration in Nonprofits. In her program, she studies theory and the effects of its application within organizations and ways to use such theory to improve leadership. She currently works in higher education as a Resident Director overseeing the first-year living experience. She hopes to continue to inspire young minds in the future as she prepares to transition into a new role for the next semester. Tewana also serves in her local church as a worship leader for Grace Church. A fun fact, I have a dog named Mogli who I call often my child.

Markiese Boykin

Political Science and Sociology '23

Markiese is a 2023 graduate of Centenary College. He is currently attending NYU Wagner School of Public Service earning a Master of Public Administration, studying Advocacy & Political Action. He currently works as a full-time runway model while attending graduate school. He plans to travel through his job while serving in various grassroots organizations.

Patrick Riley

Politcal Science '21

Patrick is pursuing a Juris Doctor and Degree in Comparative Law at LSU's Paul M. Hebert Law Center, in the Class of 2025. While at Centenary, Patrick majored in Political Science with a minor in legal studies and entered LSU Law through the Centenary-LSU Law expedited consideration admissions program. While at Centenary, Patrick served the administration of Governor John Bel Edwards as a Governor's Fellow and was on the 2021 SCAC Champions men's soccer team. At Louisiana's flagship law school, he is Senior Editor on the LSU Law Journal of Social Justice and Policy and President of the Board of Advocates. He is the 2024 Dean's Cup Moot Court Champion and hopes to represent clients in appellate litigation across the Gulf Coast region upon his graduation from LSU Law.

Maria Zabaneh

History and Political Science '21

Maria Zabaneh is a PhD Candidate at Boston University. She received dual B.A. degrees in History and Political Science with a minor in Spanish from Centenary College of Louisiana (2021) and an M.A. in History from Boston University (2022). She is currently studying the movement of ideas, commodities, and cultural trends between the Ottoman Empire and Early Modern Europe with Dr. Phillip Haberkern. Her current interests include material culture, travel history, and the use of social spaces as a means of connecting the East to the West. At BU, Maria has served as a teaching fellow for several classes, lecturing to over 100 students while working on her own research. In addition to her knowledge of Spanish and Arabic, Maria has been accepted into an Intensive Turkish Summer Program through Indiana University Bloomington in the hopes of one day being able to read Ottoman Turkish. She hopes to continue her dissertation work in Turkey and Italy in the following year.

Gemma Zuniga

Political Science and Economics '15

Centenary prepared me for my legal career by teaching me to think critically and be an effective communicator. Many of the cases that I deal with today as an attorney require research into complex issues of law, and the coursework in the Political Science and Economics departments helped me to develop the skills to research these matters efficiently. The various class presentations and seminars were instructive to me in learning how to craft well-reasoned arguments and present them in a clear, cogent manner.

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History Major

At Centenary, professors direct majors in conducting research and engaging in critical thinking and reading. They guide students not only in mastering information but in skillfully communicating their own conclusions by speaking and writing effectively.

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Political Science Major

The Department provides students with the critical reasoning and analytical skills that lead to success. A committment to developing excellence in written and oral expression separates political science from other majors. The ideal major for pre-law and international studies students, virtually all political science majors are successful in gaining admission to nationally ranked law, graduate, and professional schools.

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Washington Semester Program

The Washington Semester Program allows students to spend a semester either abroad or in Washington studying and experiencing a variety of fields.

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Pre-Law

Centenary's broad liberal arts education allows a strong foundation for a student's application into law school.
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Contact Info

Amanda Donahoe

Department Chair

Smith Building, 205

318.869.5186 adonahoe@centenary.edu

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