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Political Science

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Folsom Lake College Political Science

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.

Program Maps

Division Dean Brian Robinson
Department Chair David Reese
Meta-Major Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Phone (916) 361-6330
Email robinsb@flc.losrios.edu

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 Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education – Breadth Requirements.
(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.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2023

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
POLS 301	Introduction to Government: United States	3
A minimum of 9 units from the following:		9
POLS 302	Comparative Politics (3)
POLS 310	Introduction to International Relations (3)
POLS 320	Introduction to Political Theory (3)
STAT 300	Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4)
A minimum of 6 units from the following:		6
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 302	Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON 304	Principles of Microeconomics (3)
GEOG 310	Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
PSYC 300	General Principles (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 overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

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 degree is designed for students who wish a broad knowledge of arts and sciences plus additional coursework in a prescribed “Area of Emphasis”. 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, 2023

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)
BUS 330	Managing Diversity in the Workplace (3)
BUS 340	Business Law (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 302	Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON 304	Principles of Microeconomics (3)
ECON 320	Concepts in Personal Finance (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)
GEOG 310	Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
GEOG 322	Geography of California (3)
HIST 307	History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3)
HIST 308	History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present (3)
HIST 310	History of the United States (To 1877) (3)
HIST 311	History of the United States (1865 - Present) (3)
HIST 314	Recent United States History (3)
HIST 319	American Environmental History (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)
NUTRI 310	Cultural Foods of the World (3)
POLS 301	Introduction to Government: United States (3)
POLS 302	Comparative Politics (3)
POLS 310	Introduction to International Relations (3)
POLS 320	Introduction to Political Theory (3)
PSYC 300	General Principles (3)
PSYC 312	Biological Psychology (4)
PSYC 320	Social Psychology (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 372	Child Development (3)
SOC 300	Introductory Sociology (3)
SOC 301	Social Problems (3)
SOC 310	Marriage and the Family (3)
SOC 321	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
SOC 341	Sex and Gender in the U.S. (3)
SOC 379	Making Social Change (3)
SWHS 331	Cross Cultural Psychology (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, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. 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 301 Introduction to Government: United States

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 110
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(a); AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; CSU Area U2; CSU Area U3; IGETC Area 4
C-ID:C-ID POLS 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2023

This course is an introduction to political science, American government and politics, and is structured to promote political and analytical understanding and thinking regarding American politics and government. Areas of concentration include principles, institutions, problems, processes, theory, philosophy, and ideology.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

identify, describe and explain the theoretical foundations, structures, functions, processes and contemporary issues of the United States and California government institutions.
develop skills in political analysis and literacy comprehension necessary to conduct basic research and compose writing assignments demonstrating college level composition.
evaluate the relationship between individuals and the national, state and local governments with emphasis on civil rights, civil liberties, voting behavior and policy implementation.
obtain the knowledge to become engaged with the American political process.

POLS 302 Comparative Politics

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
C-ID:C-ID POLS 130
Catalog Date:August 1, 2023

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

demonstrate an understanding of the history of the field of comparative politics and the methods of political, governmental, and societal comparison.
present different worldviews and their effects upon the political culture, political systems, ideologies, institutions, and historical development of selected foreign nation-states.
analyze, synthesize, and explain the differences and similarities of world governments as to their structure, function, and policies.
understand the basic tasks of government and how different nation-states have approached and continue to approach those tasks.
explain the concept of culture through its manifestation in politics, political culture, and popular civic participation.
assess how the design of political institutions and processes affect policy and stability.
discuss the link between changes in the international system in the time of globalization and its interaction with comparative political thinking.

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:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
C-ID:C-ID POLS 140
Catalog Date:August 1, 2023

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of the field of international relations and a conceptualization of the methods associated with the research into international phenomena.
analyze the evolution of the current nation-state system and the problems associated with the conduct of relations among sovereign actors in the international arena.
conceptualize the primary topics of focus of the field.
demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to apply international relations theory to ongoing global issues.

POLS 320 Introduction to Political Theory

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
C-ID:C-ID POLS 120
Catalog Date:August 1, 2023

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

convey the ideas of western, Middle-Eastern, and eastern political philosophers from ancient through modern times and the impact it has had on the development of past and current political institutions.
trace the evolution and meaning of justice, order, liberty, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
illustrate how the principles of political theory have influenced the development of past and current political institutions and civil society.
critically analyze and juxtapose the diverse ideas and viewpoints of western, middle-eastern, and eastern political philosophers from history.
identify and articulate the challenges of modern political theory.

POLS 495 Independent Studies in Political Science

Units:1 - 3
Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2023

POLS 499 Experimental Offering in Political Science

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2023

This is the experimental courses description.

Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

This program is part of the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences meta-major.

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Political Science

Overview

Career Options

Program Maps

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Political Science

Associate Degrees

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

Political Science (POLS) Courses

POLS 301 Introduction to Government: United States

POLS 302 Comparative Politics

POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations

POLS 320 Introduction to Political Theory

POLS 495 Independent Studies in Political Science

POLS 499 Experimental Offering in Political Science

Faculty

Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

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