The purpose of the Department of History and Political Science is to pursue the intellectual, spiritual, and social objectives of the University. Toward that end the Department strives to maintain a competent and conscientious Christian faculty who are dedicated to excellence in their profession and to the welfare of their students. It offers a curriculum that is designed:

1. To acquaint students with an awareness of enduring values and ethics.

2. To enable students to do research.

3. To allow students to communicate more effectively, both orally and in writing.

4. To prepare students for vocations in history, political science or further study in graduate school.

While accomplished scholars in their own right, the faculty of the Department of History and Political Science actively demonstrate that encouraging and celebrating student achievement is their highest priority. Each member of the faculty regularly teaches upper division courses in his areas of expertise and takes the best advantage of small class sizes to help students strengthen their skills in analysis and interpretation through open discussion and lively debate. Participation in the Student Government Association and in Phi Alpha Theta, the national honor society in history, gives students further opportunity to develop strong working relationships with the faculty.

University of the Cumberlands' chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, Upsilon-Upsilon, is one of the most active honor societies on campus and, in 31 of the last 32 years, has been nationally recognized as the best chapter in its division. Each year, the chapter sponsors numerous social events as well as historical trips, a lecture series, and an award-winning journal, The Upsilonian, which publishes outstanding student research. Fund-raisers sponsored by Upsilon-Upsilon help defray the cost of these activities and also provide assistance to students chosen to attend regional and national conferences to present papers.

Because the curriculum focuses on developing students’ ability to reflect, to reason, and to interpret information, a degree in history or political science from University of the Cumberlands provides a strong foundation for careers in education, politics, government, journalism, business, and law. Established in careers as diverse as high school administration, environmental planning, the ministry, management and preservation of historic sites, and e-business, alumni continue to communicate their enthusiasm for the Department of History and Political Science, remarking on how valuable the skills they learned there have been to their success.