Folsom Lake College
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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Political Science

Political Science

Overview

Folsom Lake College's political science program studies governmental structures and political systems, as well as examines how individuals and institutions interact within those systems. Courses in the department are designed to introduce students to principle concepts, to stimulate an interest in the connection between theoretical ideas and real world events, and to motivate involvement and participation in the political process. Students are encouraged to think critically and creatively about issues facing them, their communities, their state, and their world.

Faculty in the political science department are widely-traveled and have practical experience in a variety of governmental and political professions. They are focused on providing stimulating instruction in an atmosphere that encourages and emphasizes student participation.

The introductory courses also prepare students for further study of political science and government theories and practice at the university level. Most of the courses offered are transferable to accredited universities and fulfill general education requirements for a variety of major and degree programs and certificates.

Note: All courses require significant writing and research. Completion of ENGWR 101 or eligibility for ENGWR 300 is required for most courses.

Degrees Offered

  • A.A.-T. in Political Science
  • A.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Political Science

The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer Degree program provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements for transfer to the California State University (CSU). Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. Students should work closely with their Folsom Lake College counselor to ensure that they are taking the appropriate coursework to prepare for majoring in Political Science at the institution they wish to transfer to because major and general education requirements may vary for each CSU, and the degree does not guarantee admission to a specific CSU campus.

This program has the following completion requirements:

(1) Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
(A) The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (CAL-GETC).
(B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
A minimum of 18 units from the following: 18
Required Core (9 units)
POLS C1000 American Government and Politics (3)
POLS 302 Comparative Politics (3)
POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations (3)
POLS 320 Introduction to Political Theory (3)
List A: Two courses required (6 units). Select one course from below and any course not used from the above list.
ECON 310 Statistics for Business and Economics (3)
   or PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
   or STAT C1000 Introduction to Statistics (4)
List B: Select 1 course (3 units) from the following
ADMJ 300 Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
ADMJ 320 Concepts of Criminal Law (3)
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
BUS 340 Business Law (3)
COMM 351 Mass Media and Society (3)
ECON C2002 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON C2001 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
ETHNS 300 Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3)
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
GEOG 322 Geography of California (3)
PHIL 310 Introduction to Ethics (3)
PSYC C1000 Introduction to Psychology (3)
SJS 300 Introduction to Social Justice Studies (3)
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3)
Total Units: 18

The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • describe the fundamentals of political science and governance.
  • compare and contrast contemporary comparative systems and governance.
  • evaluate the relationship between the governing process and public policy.
  • examine how citizen and interest group participation influence political systems.
  • analyze the role of culture and its influence on politics.
  • assess how the design of political institutions and processes affect policy and stability.
  • analyze politics and diplomacy in the international system.
  • apply basic research methods to political science.
  • analyze political and public policy making processes, and relate these to current issues and problems, for evaluating political events and their role in the political system.
  • compare and contrast various theories of justice and the just state.
  • evaluate various theories of the purpose of government and apply to a critical analysis of current political events.

Career Information

Career opportunities in political science include, but are not limited to, advocate/organizer, campaign worker, diplomat, educator/teacher, events planner, foreign affairs specialist, lawyer, legislative aide (state and federal), lobbyist, political consultant and public relations specialist.

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Interdisciplinary Studies in Social and Behavioral Science degree provides an interdisciplinary approach to academic studies. The purpose of the program is for students to gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of various social and behavioral sciences. This program is a good choice for students planning on transferring to the California State University or University of California. The student will be able to satisfy general education requirements, plus focus on transferable coursework that relates to a specific major and/or individual interest. This degree will have an "Area of Emphasis" in Social and Behavioral Sciences. These courses emphasize the perspectives, concepts, theories, and methodologies of the disciplines typically found in the vast variety of disciplines that comprise study in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students will study about themselves and others as members of a larger society. Topics and discussions to stimulate critical thinking about ways people have acted in response to their societies will allow students to evaluate how societies and social subgroups operate. (Possible majors at a four-year institution include, but are not limited to: history, sociology, social studies, psychology, and family consumer science.)

It is highly recommended that students consult a counselor to determine the classes within each area that will best prepare them for their intended transfer major.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
A minimum of 18 units from the following: 18
Select courses from at least 3 different disciplines.
ADMJ 300 Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
ADMJ 302 Community Relations: Multicultural Issues (3)
ADMJ 320 Concepts of Criminal Law (3)
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH 319 Visual Anthropology: Introduction to Ethnographic Film (3)
ANTH 323 Introduction to Archaeology (3)
ANTH 330 Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion (3)
ANTH 341 Introduction to Linguistics (3)
BUS 320 Concepts in Personal Finance (3)
   or ECON 320 Concepts in Personal Finance (3)
BUS 330 Managing Diversity in the Workplace (3)
BUS 345 Law and Society (3)
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 341 Organizational Communication (3)
COMM 351 Mass Media and Society (3)
COMM 363 Introduction to Communication Theory (3)
ECON C2002 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON C2001 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
SOC 301 Social Problems (3)
ECON 307 Global Issues in the Political Economy (3)
ECE 312 Child Development (3)
ECE 314 The Child, the Family and the Community (3)
ECE 330 Infant and Toddler Development (3)
ECE 430 Culture and Diversity in Early Childhood Education (3)
ETHNS 300 Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3)
ETHNS 320 Introduction to African American Studies (3)
ETHNS 350 Introduction to Native American Studies (3)
SOC 310 Marriage and the Family (3)
ETHNS 330 Introduction to Asian American Studies (3)
ETHNS 351 Native American Policy and Law (3)
ETHNS 360 Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
SOC 341 Sex and Gender in the U.S. (3)
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
GEOG 322 Geography of California (3)
HIST 301 History of Europe and Mediterranean World to 1550 (3)
HIST 302 History of Europe Since 1500 (3)
HIST 307 History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3)
HIST 308 History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present (3)
HIST C1001 United States History to 1877 (3)
HIST C1002 United States History since 1865 (3)
HIST 314 Recent United States History (3)
HIST 319 American Environmental History (3)
SOC 379 Making Social Change (3)
HIST 331 Women in American History (3)
HIST 344 Survey of California History: A Multicultural Perspective (3)
HIST 368 History of France (3)
JOUR 310 Mass Media and Society (3)
KINES 416 Psychology of Sport (3)
NUTRI 310 Cultural Foods of the World (3)
POLS C1000 American Government and Politics (3)
POLS 302 Comparative Politics (3)
POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations (3)
POLS 320 Introduction to Political Theory (3)
PSYC C1000 Introduction to Psychology (3)
PSYC 320 Social Psychology (3)
SWHS 302 Introduction to Psychology of Human Relations (3)
PSYC 335 Research Methods in Psychology (3)
PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior (3)
PSYC 356 Human Sexuality (3)
PSYC 368 Cross Cultural Psychology (3)
PSYC 370 Human Development: A Life Span (3)
PSYC 390 Psychology of Death and Dying (3)
SJS 300 Introduction to Social Justice Studies (3)
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3)
Total Units: 18

The Interdisciplinary Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See FLC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • evaluate how societies and social subgroups operate (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

Political Science (POLS) Courses

POLS C1000 American Government and Politics

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or C1000H
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID POLS 110
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course was formerly known as POLS 301 Introduction to Government: United States.

This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California.
Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties
and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory
and methodology. This course was formerly known as POLS 301: Introduction to Government: United States. This course is not open to students who have completed POLS 301, POLS 481, or C1000H.

POLS 302 Comparative Politics

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID POLS 130
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a comparative study and analysis of political systems, ideologies, institutions, policies, cultures, histories, and the development of selected foreign governments. Special emphasis is placed on the impact of both cultural and social dimensions of political behavior and attitudes on the structures and functions of government. Typical nation-states cases will be inclusive of all geographical regions. Instruction will also cover the phenomenon of globalization and its effect on the nation-states examined throughout the course.

POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGWR 300 is advised.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID POLS 140
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an introduction to international relations that surveys of the nation-state system, techniques of interaction, the issue of war, nationalism, power alignments, international actors, transnational movements, diplomacy, political economy, and perceptions in world politics. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the processes associated with globalization and the impact such processes have upon the conduct of international relations.

POLS 320 Introduction to Political Theory

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID POLS 120
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This survey course examines the ideas that have shaped political thought. Concepts and principles such as the individual, community, liberty, equality, justice, natural law and civil society as developed in the works of the major Western, Eastern, and Middle Eastern political philosophers will be analyzed.

POLS 495 Independent Studies in Political Science

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

POLS 499 Experimental Offering in Political Science

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

Catalog