Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Thought
Learn from the past to lead with understanding and purpose.
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Explore How History and Politics Shape Civilization
Discover how the stories of the past shape the world we live in today when you earn a B.A. in History and Political Thought from Concordia University Irvine.
This interdisciplinary program explores the human experience across time and culture, inviting you to consider how ideas, movements, and faith have influenced societies throughout history. You’ll study the lives and philosophies of individuals who helped define nations, laws, and moral thought — all while deepening your understanding of the present.
You’ll develop strong analytical, research, and communication skills and gain the ability to interpret complex ideas and articulate them with clarity and conviction.
Career Relevant
Gain real-world skills for a life of service and leadership.
Collaborative Classes
Learn in classes with a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Opportunity Awaits
Access internship and career opportunities across Southern CA.
Getting Started
If you’re interested in law, government, or understanding the ideas that shape civilizations, this political thought and intellectual history degree provides a strong foundation.
Through courses rooted in the liberal arts tradition, you’ll explore humanity’s story through reading, research, and writing. You’ll examine political theory, ethics, and religion alongside social, cultural, and economic history, learning how these forces continue to influence the modern world.
By graduation, you’ll be prepared to think critically, write persuasively, and engage deeply with ideas that matter.
Next Start
January 11, 2027
Curriculum
Core Curriculum (Sample Courses):
- HST326 – American History
- HST332 – Ancient Greece and Rome
- HST334 – Medieval European History
- HST336 – The Renaissance and the Reformation
- HST338 – Modern European History
- POL321 – Western Political Thought
View the Concordia University Irvine Online Catalog for a full list of courses.
Earning a history and politics degree from Concordia allows you to:
- Explain and conduct research to study human experience and behavior, both past and present.
- Use sources to demonstrate knowledge of past and present cultures of the world and issues affecting the global community.
- Examine major concepts, models, and theories to interpret human experience within the context of historical, political, sociocultural, and economic life.
- Conceptualize and articulate important elements of selected disciplines within the social sciences through persuasive written and oral communication.
- Gain an appreciation and understanding of the social sciences by which students recognize that “while we do not live in the past, the past lives in us.”
- Recognize and explain that documents and artifacts are art forms that record cultural change and serve as a moralizing influence.
- Develop an appreciation of the fine arts through an interdisciplinary approach to the social sciences.
- Critique the role of the Christian church in molding western thought and law, as well as instances when other regional worldviews were adopted, embraced, or discarded by the church.
Tuition and Fees
At Concordia, we understand that investing in your education is a significant decision. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make your academic journey more affordable. In fact, 100% of our students receive some form of financial assistance! View tuition costs and fees for undergraduate programs.
Admission Requirements
View the Application page for full details on application and admission requirements.
Nationally Recognized Q&I Curriculum
Concordia University Irvine is among a distinctive group of universities that offer a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum for all of its students. Our nationally recognized Enduring Questions & Ideas curriculum (Q&I, for short) is carefully crafted so that you discover the purpose of a liberal arts education — to grow intellectually, ethically, and spiritually.
Internships
Concordia maintains strong connections with organizations in LA and Orange County, and as part of your academic journey, you’ll have opportunities to apply what you learn through internships with the law firms, research institutions, and think tanks we work alongside.
Career Outcomes
A B.A. in History and Political Thought opens doors to meaningful careers in law, government, education, cultural preservation, and more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates with similar backgrounds often pursue careers such as:1
- Historian
- Political Scientist
- Paralegal or Legal Assistant
- Archivist or Museum Curator
- Policy Analyst or Legislative Aide
- Educator or Researcher
Whether you’re analyzing policy, preserving history, or preparing for law school, your Concordia education helps you bring wisdom and faith into every vocation.
Academic Opportunities
As a History and Political Thought major, you’ll develop your professional voice and connect your faith with your creative practice. You can also combine your degree with a related minor:
The nature of this degree will also prepare you to transition into graduate studies for law or related fields of study.
Extracurricular Activities
The History and Political Thought Department is a close-knit community where students study together, travel together, and grow together — academically and personally. Many students participate in clubs, competitions, and service experiences that complement their coursework, such as:
- Mission and Service Learning
- Phi Alpha Theta
- President’s Academic Showcase
- Study Abroad
- Trinity Law School’s Summer Human Rights Institute, The Hague, Netherlands
Life at Concordia
Join a community where you’re free to explore your interests and pursuits, make relationships that last a lifetime, and develop your own relationship with God. What will you explore?
Explore Financial Aid
Reduce your tuition costs with financial aid — with help from a team that wants to make your time at Concordia as affordable as possible.
Meet Our Faculty
FAQs
Which university is best for history and politics?
That depends on what you value most! Many universities offer strong programs, but Concordia stands apart for its blend of intellectual rigor, faith integration, and personal mentorship.
Here, political thought and intellectual history aren’t studied in isolation — they’re explored together. Courses cover topics like American government, religion and politics, the Constitution, and moral philosophy, giving you a well-rounded understanding of how ideas shape societies.
What can you do with a history degree?
A history degree equips you with timeless skills that translate to countless professions. You’ll learn how to think critically, solve problems creatively, and communicate clearly, which are qualities valued in nearly every industry.
With Concordia’s combined focus on history and political thought, you’ll open even more doors to careers in law, education, public policy, and beyond.
What is the study of political thought?
At Concordia, we use the term political thought — rather than political science — because we approach politics in its fullest sense: as the study of how people live, lead, and seek justice together.
In a political thought and intellectual history program, you’ll explore topics such as government, liberty, law, and human rights, alongside studies in religion, philosophy, and culture. This classical, discussion-based approach encourages you to see the moral and spiritual dimensions of leadership and civic life — and to discern your own place in the world’s ongoing story.
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Sources
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/historians.htm (viewed Oct. 24, 2025),
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/political-scientists.htm (viewed Oct. 24, 2025),
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm (viewed Oct. 24, 2025).
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.