Welcome!
Welcome to the Political Science department! We offer courses to study government, public policy, political philosophies, political theories and international relations. These courses promote students’ engagement with politics at local, domestic, and international levels.
Students are exposed to different perspectives on civic issues, political thoughts, American politics and world politics through which students are trained to be critical and analytical thinkers.
Career Options
A degree in political science can lead to various exciting career opportunities including civil servant, public administrator, city manager, political campaign worker, journalist, public policy analyst, legislative advocate/organizer, legislative aide, business worker/consultant, community activist, public relations specialist, diplomat, lawyer, and teachers. Some of these careers will require advanced degrees.
For more information about the career in political science, please visit:
For transfer programs in Political Science and Government at nearby universities, please visit:
- All CSU Campuses
CSU-Sacramento: Department of Government
CSU-Chico: Political Science Department - All UC Campuses
UC-Davis: Department of Political Science
UC-Berkeley: Department of Political Science - Stanford University
AA-T Degree
Guaranteed transfer into a CSU
Our department offers the AA-T degree (Associates in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree). It is designed for students to transfer into the CSU system to complete a bachelor’s degree in Political Science or similar major.
Upon achieving this degree, students can continue to pursue their political science B.A./B.S. degrees, a secondary teacher’s certificate, and/or other disciplines in the social sciences. This degree will guarantee a student the admission to a California State University (but not necessarily to a specific campus or major).
Degree Requirements
To earn this AA-T degree, students must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of 60 units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University.
- A minimum of 18 units required for political science degree major. See below for more details:
Required Core Course
| Course | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| POLSC 1 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
List A Courses. 9 units from the following:
| Course | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| POLSC 2 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLSC 6 | Political Philosophy | 3 |
| POLSC 7 | International Relations | 3 |
| STAT 1 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
List B Courses Select 2 courses (6 units) from the following:
| Course | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| POLSC 3 | California Politics | 3 |
| HIST 17A | United States History | 3 |
| HIST 17B | United States History | 3 |
| SOCIL 5 | Sociology of Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| Any List A course(s) not used (selected) above | ||
| Total units required for degree major: | 18 | |
Courses
POLSC 1—Introduction to American Government
(3 units) (TCSU POLS 110) CSU/UC
A critical survey and assessment of American government and politics. Political institutions, such as the Political ideologies and Congress, the presidency, the courts, and the federal bureaucracy are analyzed in regards to power and ideology and their role in the American political system. Political ideologies and philosophies, as well as political parties and private interest groups, are also examined and analyzed. State and local government is included. Satisfies CSU Title V, Section 40404, U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals requirement when both POLSC 1 and HIST 15 or LA RAZA 15 or HIST 17A or HIST 17B are completed..(L)
POLSC 2— Comparative Politics (3 units) (POLS 130) CSU/UC
An introduction to comparative politics. This course compares the major political systems in selected countries, including industrialized democracies, developing states, and current/former communist regimes. It analyzes the similarities and differences among the major states by studying their government types, ideologies, political parties, and economies. Students will learn not only the cases of various political systems but also the methods to compare them.
POLSC 3—California Politics (3 units) CSU/UC
An introduction to California politics that explores state, county, and municipal governments. It examines how state politics impact Californians’ daily lives with an insight into California’s diverse and unique people, cultures, and political processes.
Current major political issues are analyzed, such as economic and class conflict, immigration issues, ethnic-cultural relations, and contemporary challenges urban, suburban, and rural governments face
POLSC 6—Political Philosophy (3 units) CSU/UC
This is an introduction to the major authors and types of political thought and the central issues involved in political thinking (e.g. democracy, fascism, justice, rights, law liberty, political authority, political principles, consequences, etc.), as presented through classical or contemporary reading selections. Not open for credit to student with credit in PHIL 6. (L)
POLSC 7—International Relations (3 units) CSU/UC
A survey of historical and contemporary international relations. The focus will be on major IR theories and methodologies, international security and international political economy, international law and organizations (e.g. UN, WTO, NAFTA, NGOs), and human security, including: global poverty, human rights, population and environmental issues. In addition, it will examine the foreign policies of major states, areas of conflict and tension, and various aspects of globalization. (L)