Program Overview

Political Science, BA

Major Core Requirements

Passage of all major core requirements requires a grade of ‘C’ or better. POLS 302 is a prerequisite for POLS 498.

• POLS 302 - Social Science Research Methods Unit(s): 4
• POLS 303 - Comparative Political Analysis Unit(s): 4
• POLS 304 - Theory and Analysis of International Relations Unit(s): 4
• POLS 498 - Senior Seminar Unit(s): 4

Major Electives

One course must be taken from each of the following areas: Political Theory, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and American Government and Politics.

Political Theory

Choose one of the following six courses:

• POLS 310 - Classical Political Thought Unit(s): 2-4 (4 Unit(s) Required)
• POLS 311 - Modern Political Thought: Machiavelli to Present Unit(s): 4
• POLS 312 - American Political Thought Unit(s): 4
• POLS 313 - Critical Theory: Race and Gender Unit(s): 4
• POLS 314 - Environmental Political Theory Unit(s): 4
• POLS 315 - Modern Political Ideologies Unit(s): 3 (4 Unit(s) Required)
• POLS 415 - Explorations in Political Theory Unit(s): 3-4 (4 Unit(s) Required)

International Relations

Choose one of the following seven courses:

• POLS 345 - Model United Nations (MUN) Unit(s): 4
• POLS 444 - United States Foreign Policy Unit(s): 4
• POLS 445 - International Organizations Unit(s): 4
• POLS 446 - International Relations of the Middle East: Israel, the Palestinians, and the United States Unit(s): 4
• POLS 447 - Nonviolent Strategies in International Relations Unit(s): 4
• POLS 448 - Political Violence, Terrorism, and Law Unit(s): 4
• POLS 449 - Gender and Geopolitics in Science Fiction and Fantasy Unit(s): 4
• POLS 486 - Selected Issues: International Politics Unit(s): 3-4 (4 Unit(s) Required)

Comparative Politics

Choose one of the following nine courses:

• POLS 350 - European Parliamentary Democracies Unit(s): 4
• POLS 351 - Politics of Russia Unit(s): 4
• POLS 352 - Politics of Eastern Europe Unit(s): 4
• POLS 450 - Politics of Asia Unit(s): 4
• POLS 452 - Politics of the Developing World Unit(s): 4
• POLS 453 - Politics of Latin America Unit(s): 4
• POLS 487 - Selected Topics in Comparative Politics Unit(s): 4

American Government And Politics

Choose one of the following twenty courses:

• POLS 320 - State, City, and County Government Unit(s): 4
• POLS 330 - Race, Ethnicity, and Politics Unit(s): 4
• POLS 391 - Gender and Politics Unit(s): 4
• POLS 420 - American Political Development Unit(s): 4
• POLS 421 - Federal and Intergovernmental Relations Unit(s): 3-4 (4 Unit(s) Required)
• POLS 423 - Introduction to Constitutional Law Unit(s): 4
• POLS 424 - The Bill of Rights, Civil Liberties, and the Constitution Unit(s): 4
• POLS 425 - The American Party System Unit(s): 4
• POLS 426 - The Legislative Process Unit(s): 4
• POLS 427 - The American Presidency Unit(s): 4
• POLS 428 - Seminar in California Politics and Government Unit(s): 4
• POLS 429 - Interest Groups Unit(s): 4
• POLS 430 - Introduction to Public Administration Unit(s): 4
• POLS 431 - Politics and the Media Unit(s): 4
• POLS 466 - Political Psychology Unit(s): 4
• POLS 475 - Urban Politics and Policy Unit(s): 4
• POLS 483 - Politics of Wealth and Poverty Unit(s): 4
• POLS 484 - Elections and Voter Behavior Unit(s): 4
• POLS 488 - Special Topics in American Government and Politics Unit(s): 4

Units

Total GE units: 48 Major Core Requirements units: 19 Major Elective units: 16 University Elective units: 37 Total units required to graduate: 120

Program Road Maps

Political Science, BA, Sample Four-Year Plan Political Science, BA, Sample Two-Year Plan