Prerequisite/Corequisite: Any GE Foundation course.
Introductory survey of American Political Institutions, politics, and policy, including government and politics in California. Constitutional foundations and current controversies. Satisfies the general education requirement and the California teaching credential requirement.
Prerequisites/Corequisite: Completion/concurrent enrollment in ENGL 100 or equivalent.
Introduction to critical thinking through study of philosophical writing, political rhetoric, and political propaganda. Emphasis on distinguishing facts from values, inductive from deductive reasoning, emotional responses from reasoned judgments; relationship between language and logic; the role of inference; intellectual honesty.
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Foundation requirements and POSC 100.
Intensive study of issues associated with the concepts of democracy, limited government, federalism, separation of powers, judicial review, and preservation of individual rights.
Prerequisites: Completion of all GE Foundation courses and POSC 100.
Examination of persistent challenges to citizen control of government in the U.S., including growth of executive power; economic inequality; racial inequality; rise of infotainment; decline of political participation and civic engagement.
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Foundation requirements and POSC 100.
Intensive study of issues associated with selected foreign governments, modernization, revolution, political change and world ideological conflict.
Prerequisites: Completion of all GE Foundation courses and POSC 100.
Study issues central to politics in a global context, such as democracy, communism, fascism, democratization, revolution, liberalism, and anti-liberalism. Examine questions of national sovereignty, as well as the relation between nation states and the rise of non-state and trans-state actors.
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Foundation requirements and POSC 100.
Divergences between nations as they affect political differences between states. The political significance of the encounter of individuals with those of different nationalities.
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Foundation requirements and POSC 100.
Study and discussion of issues including revolution, power, justice, alienation, the nature of democracy, and other important political concepts. Views of theorists such as Plato, Hobbes, Rousseau, Mill, and Marx will be examined.
General Education Category A must be completed prior to taking any upper division course.
Prerequisite: POSC 100.
Examines what political scientists do. Focus on quantitative and qualitative techniques employed by political scientists to understand political phenomena. Examples draw on all subfields from political science: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public law and public policy.
Letter grade only (A-F).
Problems of data collection and analysis. Impact of research methods on findings. No prior knowledge of statistics is assumed. Only basic mathematical skills are needed for success in this course.
(Lecture 3 hours)
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation; POSC 100.
Ancient Greek and Roman roots of political theory. Socrates and the Sophists; Plato; Aristotle; Cicero; Polybius; and the Stoics. Examines relationship between the individual citizen and the Polis, justice and equality, democracy and dictatorship; the political culture of Mediterranean world.
Emergence of modern political thought in Western Europe from the 17th through the 19th century. Examines views of state and society in John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau, John Stuart Mill, Edmund Burke, George Hegel, and Karl Marx.
Critical examination of major themes in political thought in industrial and post-industrial society, from the late 19th century until today.
Critical examination of the nature and role of ideologies in contemporary politics. Conservatism, liberalism, socialism, communism and fascism in theory and practice.
Critical examination of theorists, concepts and forces which have shaped American political consciousness from Puritans to present.
Prerequisite: POSC 100 or 391 or equivalent.
Judicial interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Judicial review; the power of the Presidency and the Congress; state governmental authority; nature of the American federalism.
Not open for credit to students with credit in POSC 315.
Prerequisite: POSC 100 or 391 or equivalent.
Analysis of the rights and guarantees contained in the Bill of Rights and other constitutional and statutory provisions. Examination of leading cases.
Not open for credit to students with credit in POSC 314.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements; POSC 100 or consent of instructor.
Role of print and electronic media in American politics and their relationship to politicians and the public. Media’s impact on government, policy making, election campaigning. Prospects for democratic deliberation. Portrayal of political issues and political themes in popular culture.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements.
The nature and impact of the American two-party system; why people vote as they do; how candidates seek electoral support. Comparison of American party politics to party politics in other democratic countries.
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation; POSC 100.
Examination of the political activities of racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States, including American Indians, African Americans, Latino Americans and Asian/Pacific Americans. Political debates over competing approaches, strategies and public policies promoting equality in the U.S.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements.
The government and politics of American States including intergovernmental relations. Special focus on political institutions, current issues, and public policies in California. May not be taken to fulfill G.E. credit except under category D.1.b.
Social conflicts, political processes and governmental Institutions in American urban areas. Emphasis on urban political culture, power structures, interest groups, social movements, urban governance and policy-making. Evaluation of urban political problems and proposed solutions.
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation; POSC 100.
Analysis of the American policy process with special attention to the social, economic, cultural, and political factors that influence policy choices.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation, POSC 100, and POSC 328. Intensive examination of the policy process through the in-depth analysis of selected public policies.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics in different semesters with department approval.
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation and POSC 100.
Examination of selected European democracies, with emphasis on governmental structure, functions and political processes and their relationship to current problems.
Study of government and politics with emphasis on similarities and differences among Latin American states. Focus on principal groups and major issues in the political process. Conflicting explanations of the obstacles to development and other problems will be examined.
Study of the People’s Republic of China, including its origin, ideology, and organization. Contemporary social, economic, and political developments.
Emergence and development of the contemporary political systems of the Middle East; the Arab-Israeli dispute; the role and importance of the region in international politics.
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation; POSC 100.
Relations among nation-states. Why countries sometimes cooperate and sometimes go to war. Roles of intergovernmental organizations like the UN, the WTO, and NATO, and non-governmental actors like Amnesty International and Al-Qaeda; international trade and finance; war, peace, terrorism and diplomacy.
Nature and historical development of international law; determination of rules of international law; International community under law; recognition of states and governments; jurisdiction; settlement of international disputes; war aggression and neutrality.
Examination of historical development of international organization from the Concert of Europe to the United Nations. Analysis of contemporary international organization, its functions, problems and prospects in the context of the world situation.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units in different semesters, but may only count once toward IR major concentration field requirement.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements, one Explorations course, and upper-division standing.
Role of internet in politics, society, and economy. Development of cyberspace, virtual communities, online commerce, Web free speech fora. Evolving governmental institutions for managing property rights, Internet expansion and resolving cyberspace conflicts. Multiple dimensions of participatory citizenship in cyberspace.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements.
Survey of American government and politics, including attention to California government. Constitutional foundations and current controversies. Satisfies the general education requirement and the California teaching credential requirement.
Not open for credit to students with credit in POSC 100.
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation, completion of one Explorations course, and upper division standing.
Study of politics through cultural analysis. Alternative theoretical perspectives on contemporary cultural artifacts such as art, film, music, and the media.
Prerequisite: Students must have completed one course in either political science or women’s studies.
Differential treatment of women and men in western political theories, including femininity, power, rationality and the role of the women in the family. Classic and contemporary texts.
Same course as WGSS 402. Not open for credit to students with credit in W/ST 402 or WGSS 402.
Prerequisites: Six units in political theory courses or consent of instructor.
Intensive study of selected conceptual and theoretical problems in political theory.
Letter grade only (A-F).
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation; POSC 100.
Legal strategies pursued by social movements to remedy discrimination in the U.S. Legislative, administrative, and judicial responses. Gender equity, sexual harassment, voting rights, racial discrimination, fair housing, labor standards, sexual orientation, environmental justice, and American Indian rights.
Fundamental legal philosophies, sources and classifications of law. Relationship of law to other disciplines and societal institutions.
Prerequisites: Completion of either POSC 311 or 312, and one of POSC 412 or 414; and upper division standing.
Study and acquisition of the skills of lawyering, including legal research, reasoning, writing, and trial advocacy. Substantive study of civil liberties.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units in different semesters. No more than three units of this course may be applied toward the major in political science.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Courtroom, law office, public legal agency, and/or non-profit legal agency experience in conjunction with reading and research directed by a faculty member. May be repeated for a maximum of six units in different semesters.
No more than three units of this internship course may apply toward the major in political science. A maximum of six units may be earned in 418, 447, 448, and 498 combined.
Prerequisites: Six units in public law courses or consent of instructor.
Intensive study of selected conceptual and theoretical problems in public law.
Letter grade only (A-F).
What Americans think and feel about politics and why they act as they do. Topics include the formation and development of public opinion; how public opinion is measured; political socialization; political culture; and political participation.
The roles and powers of the American presidency with emphasis on major public policies of recent presidents.
Analysis of the origin, development, and behavior of U.S. legislative bodies. Leadership, organization and procedures, problems and principles of law-making. Legislative relations with the executive and other governmental agencies.
Prerequisites: Six units in American government and politics courses or consent of instructor.
Intensive study of selected conceptual and theoretical problems in American government and politics.
Letter grade only (A-F).
Principles and practices of federal, state and local administration.
Not open for credit to students with credit in POSC 331.
Examination of the meaning and use of concepts and methods employed in public policy decision analysis, including an overview of the decision process, sources and methods of handling policy-relevant data, and methods and techniques of program evaluation and policy analysis.
Critical examination of selected value choices involving how and by whom public policy is to be made, and choices involving what should be the content and goals of public policy.
Prerequisite: Completion of the GE Foundation; POSC 100; consent of instructor.
Internships in one of the various federal, state, or local governmental units in the immediate area.
A maximum of six units may be earned in POSC 418, 447, 448, and 498 combined.
Prerequisite: Completion of the GE Foundation; POSC 100; consent of instructor.
Internships in one of the various federal, state, or local governmental units in the immediate area.
A maximum of six units may be earned in POSC 418, 447, 448, and 498 combined.
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation, completion of one Explorations course, and upper division standing.
Comparative study of the causes, progression, and consequences of political movements.
Roots of revolution. Emphasis on the historical setting, ideology, socio-economic factors, political leadership, organization and nationalism. Analysis of revolutionary conditions, courses and tactics past and present.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements, one or more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing.
Problems of political development in the emergent nations of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Prerequisites: POSC 100 and completion of GE Foundation requirements.
Impact of nationalism on contemporary world politics. Role of national identities in the rise of political violence, national liberation movements, and the struggle for democracy. Case studies such as Israel, Palestine, United States, Iraq, Russia, Chechnya, Rwanda, India, and Yugoslavia.
Prerequisites: Six units in comparative politics courses or consent of instructor.
Intensive study of selected conceptual and theoretical problems in comparative politics.
Letter grade only (A-F).
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation, completion of one Explorations course, and upper division standing.
U.S. policies toward Latin America and the Caribbean. Recent debates about these policies as well as their historical and global contexts. Survey of major issues, including U.S.-Cuba policy, transnational crime/drug-trafficking, international finance, trade integration, and migration.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation; POSC 100.
Concepts, strategies, and the shaping of American relations with other states, with special emphasis on the post-World War II period. National security, economic, and political-diplomatic concerns as they present new challenges to the United States.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation; POSC 100.
Politics of global relations, including monetary and trade regimes, markets and multinational corporations. Emphasis on issues of confrontation and collaboration between countries regarding development strategies, trade, and technology transfer.
Perspective students are strongly recommended to take POSC 371.
Analysis of strategic posture with emphasis on military, political and economic inter-relationships as they influence national security and international politics.
Prerequisites: Six units in international relations courses or consent of instructor.
Intensive study of selected conceptual and theoretical problems in international relations.
Letter grade only (A-F).
Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors Program in Political Science.
The nature and development of political science and its relationship to other disciplines in the Social Sciences. Recent developments in conceptual analysis and theory are emphasized.
(Seminar.) Course meets with POSC 500.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Honors Program in Political Science.
Research for writing an Honors thesis under the direction of a faculty member. (Independent Study.)
Prerequisites: POSC 491H.
Research and writing of an Honors thesis under the direction of a department faculty advisor.
(Independent Study.)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Analysis of selected contemporary issues and problems.
Topics to be announced in the Schedule of Classes.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements, one or more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing.
Study of present-day global problems: overpopulation, depletion of resources, environmental decay and their future political implications. Examination of alternative policies, future politics and institutional change. The technological revolutions and the totalitarian temptation.
Prerequisites: Upper division standing and consent of instructor.
Students undertake a 30-35 hr. per week career-related internship in a federal, corporate or independent sector agency located in Washington D.C. A final written report is required. Concurrent enrollment in an independent studies course required.
Credit/No Credit grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 units.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Analysis of selected contemporary issues and problems.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics. Topics to be announced in the Schedule of Classes.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and department chair.
Political or governmental experience supplemented by reading and research under the direction of a faculty member.
May be repeated for a maximum of six units in the same semester. No more than three units may apply toward the major in political science. A maximum of six units may be earned in POSC 418, 447, 448, and 498 combined.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Directed reading to permit independent pursuit by advanced students on topics of special interest.
Hours to be arranged. Graduate students who have had this course as an undergraduate may repeat it.
Prerequisite: Graduate status or consent of instructor.
Competing approaches to the analysis of political phenomena. Substantive models of social and political order and change as well as methodological arguments about the nature of explanation in political science.
Letter grade only (A-F).
Prerequisite: POSC 500.
Methods of empirical political science research; the formulation of hypotheses, problems and standards of measurement and observation; methods of data collection; research design and logic of data analysis. No prior knowledge of statistics is assumed.
Letter grade only (A-F).
Prerequisite: Consent of Graduate
Coordinator and Instructor. Study under the supervision of a faculty member. Student must fulfill requirements of a selected upper division course plus additional work appropriate to graduate study as determined by the Instructor of the course.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics.
Prerequisites: Consent of Graduate Coordinator and instructor.
Individual graduate level study and research of special topics under the supervision of a faculty member.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.
Prerequisite: POSC 371 or equivalent.
Examination of the role of power, multiple dimensions of national interest, collective security, world peace, nationalism, and imperialism.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Letter grade only (A-F).
Prerequisite: Three upper division units in comparative government.
Comparative study of government and politics in selected foreign countries. Intensive study of the political institutions and policies of selected foreign governments. Emphasis on political parties and contemporary governmental policy.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Letter grade only (A-F).
Prerequisite: POSC 301 or 303 or equivalent.
Analytical and critical examination of the major concepts of political theory.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Letter grade only (A-F).
Prerequisite: Three upper division units in American Politics or Public Law.
Intensive study of topics and problems in American government, politics, law, and the judicial process.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Letter grade only (A-F).
Prerequisite: Consent of Graduate Director.
Internship provides teaching experience in community college. No more than three units of this practicum may be applied to the Masters requirements in Political Science.
Credit/No Credit grading only.
Prerequisite: Consent of Department Chair.
Individual research or intensive study under the guidance of a faculty member. Three units required of non-thesis students who have been advanced to candidacy for the master’s degree in political science.
A maximum of 3 units may be earned by students with credit in POSC 698. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Letter grade only (A-F).
Planning, preparation and completion of thesis for the master’s degree.
