OC forms new Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences

New department will also welcome Distinguished Visiting Professor of American Studies Robert Edison and a new African American Studies course.

September 24, 2019 - Oklahoma Christian University proudly announced the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts this fall. It encompasses psychology, family science, history, criminal justice and political science, which previously comprised three departments.

Trey Orndorff, political scientist and author of “The Social Media Presidency,” will be the chair of this division. This year is Orndorff’s second as a professor on the OC campus, after spending nearly a decade at Daytona State College. He expressed excitement for OC’s mission and Distinguished Professor John Maple’s passion for the future of the history and political science department as reasons why he chose to work at OC.

Orndorff is also ready for the students to experience the intersection of liberal arts and science through a methodological approach in scientific thinking. He believes that the new department will provide different career paths and experiences that are not currently available at OC. Orndorff explained that the BASS programs were brought together under the umbrella of the study of human behavior. He believes this will allow the faculty to be agile in responding to students’ needs and wants.

One of the most significant responses is the addition of Distinguished Visiting Professor of American Studies Robert Edison and the joint creation of a sequence of classes in African American Studies.

“We’re hoping to broaden that out into other people groups so that the minor can be an American Studies minor, with options for Latin American, African American and Native American Studies,” Orndorff said. “We are working on bringing in some outside voices who have a diverse set of experiences and ethnicities to help create the classes.” 

Edison will teach the pilot class for the Africa American studies course next semester. Orndorff encourages anyone who is interested to sign up.