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Political Science

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

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:January 1, 2025

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:January 1, 2025

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:January 1, 2025

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:January 1, 2025

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:January 1, 2025

POLS 499 Experimental Offering in Political Science

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This is the experimental courses description.