Political Science Courses
Examine of the structure of government and political systems, as well as the interaction of individuals and institutions within those systems. Political Science courses offer valuable insight into these events on the local, state, national, and international levels.
Political Science Department
Degrees/Certificates
Certificate
POL - Political Science
POL-001: American Government (3.0 Lecture) (Min Credits: 3.0)
This course is an introduction to the structure and functions of the governments at the Federal and California levels. Topics covered include Civil Rights and Liberties, Institutional development, and non-governmental actors in politics. This course helps satisfy the U.S. History, Constitution, and state and local government requirements for transfer to the UC/CSU systems, as well as for the Associate of Arts degree. C-ID # POLS 110, POLS 120.
4 - IGETC Social & Behavioral Sci, AD1 - AA-AS Social & Behavioral Sci, AD2 - AA-AS American History & Ins, CSU - California State University, D - CSU Social & Behavior Sci, UC - University of California, US2 - CSU US Constitution/Government, US3 - CSU Calif State/Local Govrnmnt
POL-001H: American Government - Honors (3.0 Lecture) (Min Credits: 3.0)
Honors American Government involves interdisciplinary, writing- intensive, collaborative, and experiential instruction. The course covers the structure and functions of the American national government, as well as those of state and local governments. Emphasis is placed on the development of a deep understanding of historical and societal influences on the modern American political institutions. Students cannot get credit for both POL 001 and POL 001H. Enrollment in the Honors Transfer Project is required. C-ID # POLS 110.
4 - IGETC Social & Behavioral Sci, AD1 - AA-AS Social & Behavioral Sci, AD2 - AA-AS American History & Ins, CSU - California State University, D - CSU Social & Behavior Sci, UC - University of California, US2 - CSU US Constitution/Government, US3 - CSU Calif State/Local Govrnmnt
POL-002: Comparative Government (3.0 Lecture) (Min Credits: 3.0)
This course offers an introduction to Comparative Governments. Students will look at the governments, politics and public policies of other nations from Europe to Asia, from Africa to South America, to compare similarities and differences. Particular emphasis will be placed on contemporary political problems and how different nations confront and seek to solve them. C-ID # POLS 130.
4 - IGETC Social & Behavioral Sci, AD1 - AA-AS Social & Behavioral Sci, CSU - California State University, D - CSU Social & Behavior Sci, UC - University of California
POL-003: Introduction to Political Theory (3.0 Lecture) (Min Credits: 3.0)
The course familiarizes students with central debates in political theory and provides an overview of the works of some of theories of politics, from the classical to the modern. It is organized around the examination of several key political concepts, such as liberty, equality, justice, authority, rights, citizenship, and revolution. C-ID# POLS 120.
3B - IGETC Humanities, 4 - IGETC Social & Behavioral Sci, AC - AA-AS Arts & Humanities, AD1 - AA-AS Social & Behavioral Sci, C2 - CSU Humanities, CSU - California State University, UC - University of California
POL-004: International Relations (3.0 Lecture) (Min Credits: 3.0)
This course offers an introduction to the understanding of International Relations. This class will look at the how and why of world politics, surveying the history, theory, players, processes and structures in International Relations. C-ID # POLS 140.
4 - IGETC Social & Behavioral Sci, AD1 - AA-AS Social & Behavioral Sci, CSU - California State University, D - CSU Social & Behavior Sci, UC - University of California
POL-005: Political Science Research Methodology (3.0 Lecture) (Min Credits: 3.0)
Advisory: POL 001 or a college level course in any political or social science field. This course is an exploration of the research methodologies used in political science. C-ID # POLS 160.
4 - IGETC Social & Behavioral Sci, AD1 - AA-AS Social & Behavioral Sci, CSU - California State University, D - CSU Social & Behavior Sci, UC - University of California
POL-006: Politics of Race, Class and Gender (3.0 Lecture) (Min Credits: 3.0)
This course is an introduction to the role race, economic class, and gender have and currently play in global politics. The class surveys the political history, goals, strategies, perspectives, barriers and successes of women, the poor, and selected minorities within the context of politics around the world, as well as the effects of their intersectionality. Various ethnic, religious, socio-economic and gender groups are considered.
4 - IGETC Social & Behavioral Sci, AD1 - AA-AS Social & Behavioral Sci, CSU - California State University, D - CSU Social & Behavior Sci, UC - University of California
POL-007: International Films (3.0 Lecture) (Min Credits: 3.0)
This course provides a critical look at the world and its problems through some of the finest international films. Films from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are viewed and analyzed to explore such topics as nationalism, sovereignty, war and peace, ethnic conflict, economics and immigration. This course is cross-listed as Humanities 007 (HUM 007).
3B - IGETC Humanities, AC - AA-AS Arts & Humanities, AD1 - AA-AS Social & Behavioral Sci, C2 - CSU Humanities, CSU - California State University, D - CSU Social & Behavior Sci, UC - University of California
POL-020: Controversial Legal Issues (3.0 Lecture) (Min Credits: 3.0)
Advisory: POL 001. This course develops critical thinking skills as applied to contemporary legal and political issues that stem from controversies over civil rights and liberties. Topics such as drug decriminalization, offensive speech, affirmative action, discrimination against gender and sexual orientation, school prayer, the right to die, and pornography are explored. Students engage in debates on the issues, applying skills that allow them to distinguish between fact and judgment. Completion of Political Science 001 is recommended.