A bachelor's degree in political science may prepare you for a variety of entry-level occupations, such as a paralegal, policy analyst, research assistant and market analyst. 

Median Pay: $122,510 (for political scientists)

Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree

Job Outlook: Employment of political scientists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032,

Above information sourced from 2022 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A minimum 2.0 GPA is the requirement for admission at Union Commonwealth University. 

History & Political Science Major Requirements (36 Credit Hours)

Requires 36 semester hours including:

Program Core (12 Hours)-Required Courses

HIST 212 Historical Research and Methods (3 Credit Hours)

Gathering and criticism of data; bibliographies and aids; problems in historiography, composition analysis, and the final monograph. Regardless of the monograph topic chosen by the student, this course does not count toward either the United States or non-United States requirement within the major. This course must be taken in conjunction with another history course.

HIST 301 Readings in U.S. History (1 Credit Hour)

A course allowing students (History, History/Political Science Majors and History Minors) to explore subjects in history not covered in the regular courses. Prerequisite: HIST 211 and permission from instructor.

Or

HIST 302 Readings in Non-U.S. History (1 Credit Hour)

A course allowing students (History, History/Political Science Majors and History Minors) to explore subjects in history not covered in the regular courses. Prerequisite: HIST 211 and permission from instructor.

PLSC 101 American National Government (3 Credit Hours)

A survey of the principal characteristics of the American National Government; examination of constitutional principles, federalism, political participation, institutions of government, and the politics of public policy. Please see the Department of History, Religious Studies & Languages section of the catalogue for information on the History and Political Science Major.

HIST 476 Special Topics in World History (3 Credit Hours)

An intense, analytic study of a major problem or topic in world history. May be repeated for credit as long as the topic is different. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level History course or permission from instructor. Even years only.

HUMN 477 Philosophy of Life (Capstone Course) (3 Credit Hours)

The senior Capstone seminar for History and Religious Studies majors (but any student may take the course).

U.S. History Elective Courses (6 Hours)-Students will complete 2 of the following courses:

HIST 235 Kentucky History (3 Credit Hours)

This course examines the complex, contradictory, and ultimately vital history of Kentucky from its frontier beginnings to the present, and its role in shaping larger American society. This course privileges the importance of the local in understanding the specific contexts that shape a given people. Students will explore the ways topics such as race, religion, geography, migration, gender, politics, violence, and power influenced Kentucky’s development over time. Ultimately, this course deeply investigates what made Kentuckians, Kentuckians.

HIST 311 American History to 1848 (3 Credit Hours)

An examination of colonial society and culture, the Revolution, the Constitution, the early national period, Jacksonian Democracy, and historiography. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in history or permission from instructor.

HIST 312 American History 1848 to 1919

A consideration of the Civil War, Reconstruction, industrialization, Populism, Progressivism, World War I, and historiography. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in History or permission from instructor.

HIST 313 Twentieth Century America (3 Credit Hours)

Selected topics on the nation’s history since 1919, including the 1920s, the Great Depression and New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Revolution, and political and social developments since 1945. Prerequisite: a previous 100-level course in History, Religion, Philosophy, or permission from instructor.

HIST 409 American Religion & Society (3 Credit Hours)

This course examines the rich and vital religious landscape of the United States, and its contribution to shaping larger society. Students will explore religious life in America through the engagement of primary and secondary texts. By studying the expansion of religious life in the nation, moreover, students will develop a deeper understanding of how particular ideas underpinning American society have continuously informed and reshaped religious expression. Specific attention will be given to the way religious ideas, organizations, and people have influenced laws, social movements, culture, and the physical landscape.

HIST 431 American Revolutionary Era 1763-1789 (3 Credit Hours)

A study of the causes, events, and consequences of the American Revolution from the end of the Seven Years War through the ratification of the Constitution. Historiographical controversies will be emphasized. Prerequisites: HIST 311 or permission from instructor. Odd years only.

HIST 433 History of Appalachia (3 Credit Hours)

A survey of the region from settlement to the present, with emphasis on the period since the Civil War. The course examines the diversity of historical development within the region, and the paradox of relative isolation along with integrating aspects of industrialization and modernization. Odd years only.

HIST 475 Special Topics in American History (3 Credit Hours)

Topics that might be covered include, but are not limited to such titles as Colonial America, the Early National Period, Industrial America in the Gilded Age, the Progressive Era and World War I, the Period between the World Wars, World War II, the United States since 1945, the Vietnam War, American Economic History, American Constitutional History, African-American History, and the American South. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level History course or permission from instructor. Even years only.

Non-U.S. History Elective Course (3 Hours)-Students will complete 1 of the following:

HIST 233 History of Latin America (3 Credit Hours)

Course is an overview of the history of Latin America from the colonial period to the present day. Odd years only.

HIST 241 History of Britain to 1485 (3 Credit Hours)

The course covers the history of Britain from the Roman period to the rise of the House of Tudor. The social and political impact of Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Normand invasions are examined. Relations with continental Europe and developments in church-state relations as principal focal points. The course may cross-list with RLGN 251. Odd years only.

HIST 242 History of Britain from 1485-1832 (3 Credit Hours)

A study of British history from the Tudor Monarchy to the first half of the 19th century, with emphasis on political and institutional developments, social and cultural developments, and the rise of the British empire. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in history or permission from instructor. Even years only.

HIST 331 Late Classic & Medieval History Topics (3 Credit Hours)

The course examines the social, political, and cultural developments in Europe during the Middle Ages, with particular attention to interaction between Christian and Islamic civilizations. Possible topics for a course include the transmission and transformation of the Latin intellectual tradition from the late Roman Empire to the Renaissance, the classical intellectual tradition in the Islamic world, the development and spread of monasticism, feudal monarchy and the papacy, the crusades, and commercial and cultural interaction between Europe and the Near East. The course is designed for students who have already had a survey course on the period. Prerequisite: HUMN 112/HIST 113 or permission from instructor. The course may be cross-listed with RLGN 331.

HIST 443 Modern Britain (3 Credit Hours)

A study of modern British history from the early 19th century to the era of New Labour. Emphasis will be given to the impact of the world wars, the decline of British power, the rise of the welfare state, and the role of Britain in Europe. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in History or permission from instructor. Even years only.

HIST 446 History of Russia (3 Credit Hours)

Russian history since 1689. Survey of the political and social changes in Russia from the time of Peter the Great to the present, including an extensive review of the origins and development of the modern Soviet state. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in History or permission from instructor.

HIST 451 Topics in Early European History (3 Credit Hours)

A study of developments in European politics, society, and culture in the period of 1350 to 1650. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in history or permission from instructor. Students may take the class for credit more than once as the topic changes. Odd years only. Cross-lists with RLGN 452.

HIST 452 Topics in Early European History (3 Credit Hours)

A study of the political, social, and cultural history of Europe from the Congress of Vienna to the contemporary era of European integration. Possible topics are the process of modernization, nationalism, secularization, the world wars, and the course of European history since 1945. Students may take the class for credit more than once as the topic changes. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in History or permission from instructor.

HIST 461 Islamic Religion & Civilization (3 Credit Hours)

The political and religious history of the Middle East from the beginnings of Islam to the beginning of the modern era. Particular attention is given to interaction with Byzantine and medieval Christian civilizations. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in History or permission from instructor. Even years only. Cross-lists with RLGN 462.

HIST 474 Topics in Latin American History (3 Credit Hours)

An in-depth examination of topics and issues in the study of Latin American history. Prerequisite: HIST 223. Odd years only.

Political Science Courses (15 Hours)

PLSC 405 / CRJU 405 The American Founding (3 Credit Hours)

The American Founding is an inquiry into the governing principles of the Declaration of Independence and how its transformation culminated in the Constitution of the United States. To understand the modern American political system requires a re-examination of first principles and the relationship between the two fundamental documents of the American republic. Even years only. Cross-listed with CRJU 405.

PLSC 408 American Presidency (3 Credit Hours)

Analysis of the institution of the presidency, its functions, formal and informal relationships, and its limitations within the American political system.

PLSC 306 / CRJU 306 Special Topics in Political Science / Topics in (3 Credit Hours)

Provides in-depth coverage of topics not included in the regular Political Science curriculum. Cross-listed with CRJU 306.

PLSC 483 / CRJU 483 Constitutional Law II: National Powers (3 Credit Hours)

An overview of the United States Supreme Court’s interpretation of Articles I, II, and III of the federal constitution. These articles divide the powers of the federal government between three ostensibly co-equal branches. The respective branches may only exercise those powers granted to them by the respective Articles. Powers not delegated to one of the branches are reserved to the states. These two constitutional principles - separation of powers and federalism - invariably generate conflicts among the three branches and between the branches and the various states. The Supreme Court’s efforts to arbitrate such conflicts are examined through analysis of its decisions and its efforts to interpret the “plain meaning” of the Constitution’s language, and to discern the “intent of the founders.” Even years only. Cross-listed with CRJU 483.

PLSC 486 / CRJU 486 Constitutional Law I: Civil Liberties (3 Credit Hours)

The development and interpretation of the Constitution examined through analysis of the decisions of the Supreme Court and secondary sources, focusing on the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment. The course serves as an introduction to how our national heritage of civil liberties has been articulated by the Court to form law and legal doctrine over the course of two centuries, including consideration of the areas of privacy, public morality, defendant’s rights, and the death penalty. This dual registration course is also available for upper-division elective credit in Criminal Justice. Prerequisites: CRJU 201 and CRJU 205, or permission from instructor. Odd years only. Cross-listed with CRJU 486.

PLSC 382 / CRJU 382 Legal Political Thought-Classical (3 Credit Hours)

This course examines ancient understandings of law, statesmanship, and the good society. Problems relating to these interwoven components of the political arena are considered on both theoretical and practical levels, the first concerning what the relationship of citizen and state should be, the latter involving review of practices as seen through the lives of actual rulers from ancient Greece and Rome. Cross-listed with CRJU 382.

PLSC 383 / CRJU 383 Legal Political Thought-Modern (3 Credit Hours)

This course examines the way in which seminal questions with relation to the proper foundations and structures of society have been approached in the modern era. Analysis includes examination of founders, religion, and the military, especially in connection to the concepts of fortune and necessity. Cross-listed with CRJU 383.

PLSC 409 / CRJU 409 Statesmen, Soldiers & Leadership (3 Credit Hours)

This course is an inquiry into the nature, purpose, origin, structure, and practical consequences of political and military leadership. Questions concerning the elements of great leadership from perspectives of personal attributes and implementation of policy will be of prime import. Odd years only. Cross-listed with CRJU 409.

PLSC 470 / CRJU 470 Political Violence (3 Credit Hours)

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the issues relating to violence as a component of politics. Topics such as terrorism, warfare, and arms proliferation will be analyzed. In addition, the course will familiarize the student with several regional conflicts, e.g., Northern Ireland. Cross-listed with CRJU 470.