Political Science Major

The Political Science Major prepares the student for graduate study in the field as well as for careers such as government (the largest employer in the United States), teaching, journalism, law, and foreign service (with industry as well as government).

Preparation for the Major: Political Science 100, 125, 175, 250.

Major requirements: Twenty-four units of upper division work to include Political Science 301 and 302.

 

Minor

Political Science 100, and 125 OR 175 (as prerequisites), 301, and nine upper division units.

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The Social Science Teaching Credential Students wishing to earn a Social Science Teaching Credential may do so while completing a major in Political Science. The specific requirements for the teaching credential differ from general requirements for the Political Science major. Students interested in pursuing a Social Science Teaching Credential should consult the department chair. 

Political Science/International Relations Research Seminar:  Political Science majors have the option of taking a Political Science or International Relations Research Seminar, offered each Fall.  This will help students to conduct research and write scholarly papers on a variety of American, international, and/or comparative political topics.

--All Honors Students who are Political Science majors are required to enroll in the Research Seminar the semester before their Honors Thesis seminar.

--All Political Science majors who plan to go on to graduate school are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Research Seminar during their junior or senior year.

-- All students who would like to write a senior thesis, or who want to conduct independent research in political science, should enroll in the Research Seminar in lieu of independent study.

Note: For graduate courses in International Relations, see the Graduate Bulletin or click here.

Political Science Major: Recommended Program For Study

Freshman Year

Semester I Preceptorial (3) Poli Sci 100 (3) GE or Electives (9-10) 
Semester II Poli Sci 125 (3) GE or Electives (12-13) 

Sophomore Year

Semester I Poli Sci 250 (3) GE or Electives (12) 
Semester II Poli Sci 175 (3) Poli Sci Upper Division (3) GE or Electives (9) 

Junior Year

Semester I Poli Sci 301 (3) Poli Sci Upper Division (3) GE, Minor, or Electives (9) 
Semester II Poli Sci 302 (3) Poli Sci Upper Division (3) GE, Minor, or Electives (9) 

Senior Year

Semester I Poli Sci Upper Division (6) GE, Minor, or Electives (9-10) 
Semester II Poli Sci Upper Division (6) GE, Minor, or Electives (9-10)

List of Courses

100 [1] Introduction to Political Science
125 [15] American Politics
175 [20] International Politics
250 [5] Research Methods in Political Science
301 [108] Political Thought: Ancient to Modern
302 [109] Political Thought: Modern and Contemporary
304 [114] American Political Development
306 [110] Political Ideology
307 [111] Politics and Religion
308 [112] Politics and Literature
310 [117] Presidency
312 [118] Congress
313 [113] Politics and Parties
316 [106] Sex, Power and Politics
321 [120] Constitutional Law I
322 [121] Constitutional Law II
323 [122] Judicial Behavior
326 [126] Comparative Law
327 [127] International Law
329 [129] Law of the Sea
330 [115] Political Behavior
340 [102] State and Local Government
342 [107] Urban Politics
345 [101] Public Administration
347 [105] Public Policy
349 [135] Politics and the Environment
350 [150] Core Course: Comparative Politics
352 [158] Comparative Politics of Developing Countries
354 [159] Revolutionary Change
355 [154] Politics in Western Europe
356 [181] Politics in East-Central Europe
357 [186] Politics in Latin America
358 [187] Politics in South Asia
359 [192] Politics in the Middle East
360 [195] Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa
362 [157] Politics in the United Kingdom
363 [155] Politics in France
364 [156] Politics in Germany
365 [180] Politics in Russia
366 [153] Politics in Mexico
367 [189] Politics in Japan
368 [190] Politics in China
370 [170] Core Course: International Relations
371 [178] American Foreign Policy
372 [182] Russian Foreign Policy
374 [185] U.S.-Latin American Relations
375 [193] Comparative Foreign Policy
376 [179] American National Security
377 [177] Regional Security
378 [195] Transnational Crime and Terrorism
380 [130] Core Course: International Political Economy
382 [195] International Human Rights
383 [128] International Organizations
430 [143] Field Seminar in California Government
434 [141] Wash DC: The Press and the Presidency
435 [198] Wash DC: Directed Study in Political Science
436 [198] Wash DC: Internship in Political Science
437 [198] Wash DC: Class in Political Science
444 [194] Special Topics in Political Science
448 [198] Internship in Political Science
449 [199] Independent Study in Political Science
480 [142] Model United Nations
485 [198] Wash DC: Directed Study in International Relations
486 [198] Wash DC: Internship in International Relations
487 [198] Wash DC: Class in International Relations
494 [195] Special Topics in International Relations
498 [198] Internship in International Relations
499 [199] Independent Study in International Relations

Course Descriptions

100 [1] Introduction to Political Science (3)
This course presents an overview of the discipline, including the basic theories, concepts, approaches, and enduring questions of political science. It provides students with a foundation of knowledge and the analytical skills necessary to understand modern politics in historical context.

125 [15] American Politics (3)
This course offers students a fundamental overview of American politics by analyzing the origin, development, structure, and operation of all levels of the American political system. This course also examines how politics are practiced in the United States in order to analyze the uniqueness of the American political system.

175 [20] International Politics (3)
This course examines major traditions in the discipline of international relations. Students are introduced to the study of the causes of war and the conditions of peace, international law and organizations, international political economy, great power politics, and foreign-policy decision making. The course also explores issues such as global poverty, immigration, refugees, human rights, and the environment as they affect international politics.

250 [5] Research Methods in Political Science (3)
This course introduces students to the various stages of the research process from conceptualization of the research question to interpretation of findings. Students not only learn to develop efficient research strategies to evaluate empirical relationships from a theoretically informed perspective, but they also design and conduct empirical research of their own.

301 [108] Political Thought: Ancient to Modern (3)
This course examines the formation and development of political ideas, from Greek political philosophy to modern political thought. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between theory and practice in political life. 

302 [109] Political Thought: Modern and Contemporary (3)
This course examines political ideas in the modern and contemporary Western tradition. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between theory and practice in political life.

304 [114] American Political Development (3)
This course explores the origin and development of significant political ideas in the United States as expressed in the contributions of selected thinkers.

306 [110] Political Ideology (3)
This course examines the nature and content of modern ideologies and the role they play in the political life of states. Students are introduced to the ideologies of liberalism, conservatism, fascism, socialism, and nationalism, and consider how assumptions about human nature in general, and political ideals of order, liberty, equality, and justice, inparticular, affect choice of ideology.



307 [111] Politics and Religion (3)
This course offers a n introduction to the study of the role of religion in sociopolitical change. The course deals with the theoretical literature on the subject and focuses on the salient cases in the various religious traditions and regions of the world.

308 [112] Politics and Literature (3)
This course explores the political content of selected classical, modern, and contemporary literature. Emphasis is placed on concepts such as authority, power, freedom, equality, organization, obligation, and the ways these concepts have been treated by different authors.

310 [117] Presidency (3)
This course analyzes the institution of the presidency, its functions, formal and informal relationships, and its limitations within the American political system. The principal focus is placed on understanding how the presidency fits into the broader institutional structure of the U.S. government and how individual presidents make decisions in this situation.


312 [118] Congress (3)
This course examines the history, organization, operation, and politics of Congress. Nomination and election, constituent relations, the formal and informal structures of both houses, relations with the executive branch, and policy formulation are discussed. Students participate in a simulation of the House of Representatives.

313 [113] Politics and Parties (3)
This course examines the origin, nature, structure and operation of American political parties, interest groups and social movements, and their role in the political process.

316 [106] Sex, Power, and Politics (3)
This course offers an analysis of gender in politics from historical as well as theoretical perspectives. Topics examined include gender power, leadership, and governance; social, economic, and political factors explaining women's political status and participation in relation to men's; and the women's movement as a political movement.

321 [120] Constitutional Law I (3)
This course begins with an examination of the early development of American constitutional law including the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, and the Federalist Papers. We also explore the development of Supreme Court doctrine regarding judicial review, conflicts among the three departments of government in domestic and foreign affairs, and the ongoing struggle to define the responsibilities of state and federal governments.

322 [121] Constitutional Law II (3)
This course is a continuation of the of the study of constitutinal politics, with a focus on civil rights and individual liberties. Topics include free speech, racial and sexual discrimination, church and state, privacy, voting rights, and the rights of the accused. Political Science 321 is not a prerequisite for this class.

323 [122] Judicial Behavior (3)
This course explores judicial policies and decision making, with particular emphasis on judges, lawyers, and juries. Topics include judicial selection and appointment, the limits of judicial power, the roles that lawyers play in our legal and political systems, and the development of trial by jury.

326 [126] Comparative Law (3)
This course presents a cross-national, historical, and comparative analysis of constitutional, administrative and criminal law. Subject countries vary, but will include representative judicial systems within the Civil Law, Common Law, and Socialist Law traditions.

327 [127] International Law (3)
This course examines the theory and practice of international law, including efforts to creative effective legal means to define, proscribe, and punish war crimes, crimes against humanity, and terrorism. We discuss the negotiation, ratification, and enforcement of treaties and study multinational legal institutions such as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, and the International Criminal Tribunals for the foirmer Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

329 [129] Law of the Sea (3)
This course introduces students to the study of regimes of the sea including fisheries, pollution control, and coastal management zones. The politics of ocean regulation are examined with particular attention to law of the sea negotiations. (Cross-listed as Marine Science 329.)

330 [115] Political Behavior (3)
In this course political socialization, orientation and participation are discussed. Both quantitative and traditional research methods will be utilized to explain the political behavior of the American electorate.

340 [102] State and Local Government (3)
This course examines the political functions of state and local governments, with special attention to California.

342 [107] Urban Politics (3)
This course is designed to introduce students to the major debates that have structured the field of urban politics; interaction among governmental institutions, political actors, private interests, and the marketplace. Other issues such as urban regimes, urban political history, suburbanization, urban growth and renewal, race, class, and gender are examined throughout the course.

345 [101] Public Administration (3)
This course explores the theory and practice of governmental administration at the national, state, and local levels and the development implementation of legislation.

347 [105] Public Policy (3)
This courss examines the political and administrative processes through which public policy is formulated, adopted, implemented, and evaluated.

349 [135] Politics and the Environment (3)
This course examines the decision-making processes through which modern societies attempt to cope with environmental and natural resource problems. Students investigate both American and international environmental issues, and consider the historical and theoretical bases of current environmental policies and initiatives.

350 [150] Core Course: Comparative Politics (3)
This course examines the major theoretical approaches to comparative politics as well as the political histories of individual countries. It is designed to introduce students to a variety of themes central to this field, including state-society relations, state capacity, the role of institutions, nationalism, cultural/ethnic pluralism, political culture, and democracy.

352 [158] Comparative Politics of Developing Countries (3)
This course examines concepts and theories of development and assesses their utility in understanding political, economic and social change in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. Particular emphasis is placed on issues such as: state building, the bureaucracy, civil-military relations, national identity, economic development, and democratization.

354 [159] Revolutionary Change (3)
This course is a comparative study of the revolutionary process focusing on the meaning of revolutionary change, the causes and stages of revolutions, and the conditions that influence their outcomes. Special attention is devoted to the French, Russian, Chinese, Cuban, and other revolutions.

355 [154] Politics in Western Europe (3)
This course offers a survey of the political cultures, institutions, and processes of the United Kingdom, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, and other West European countries. The development of a more integrated European community is also discussed.

356 [181] Politics in East-Central Europe (3)
This course examines the politics of East-Central Europe from its Cold War origins to the dynamic developments after the revolutions of 1989. It focuses on the diverse challenges of democratization and market reform in some of the following countries: Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, and the states of the former Yugoslavia.

357 [186] Politics in Latin America (3)
This course examines the dynamics of political and economic change in 20th-century Latin America. There is particular emphasis on the causes and consequences of cyclical economic development and recurrent waves of democratization and authoritarianism.

358 [187] Politics in South Asia (3)
This course is designed to introduce students to the study of contemporary South Asian politics by examining historical as well as contemporary issues relating to socioeconomic change, political development, regional relations, and international linkages. The course focus is primarily on India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, but the politics of Nepal and Sri Lanka are also considered.

359 [192] Politics in the Middle East (3)
This course offers an introduction to the study of the politics of the Middle East and North Africa. The complex issues of regional con?icts with international signi?cance and the forces shaping the internal development of the modern Middle East are explored.

360 [195] Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa (3)
This course provides an introduction to Sub-Saharan African political systems and the relationships that exist between governments and their citizens in this region. We examine some of the main factors that shape contemporary African politics, including the legacy of colonialism, the rise of authoritarian states, ethnic, national, and racial conflict, and political and economic reform.

362 [157] Politics in the United Kingdom(3)
This course examines the development of democracy in England, the institutions of government and parliament; political parties; and selected domestic and foreign policies.

363 [155] Politics in France (3)
This course examines contemporary French politics. We begin by constructing an historical and ideological foundation for the course, we then move to recent institutional and electoral practices, and we finally analyze a variety of foreign and security policies, including relations with the United States, members of the European Union, and countries throughout the world.

364 [156] Politics in Germany (3)
This course introduces students to German politics by examining contemporary as well as historical issues that challenge the unified Germany. The course's main focus is on the post-Cold War and post-unification era with particular emphasis on the current political, social, and economic agendas, and on explaining and predicting German national and international politics.

365 [180] Politics in Russia (3)
This course examines the development of the political institutions and culture of Russia since the collapse of Communism, with a focus on the role of the Presidency, the Parliament, political parties, and the public in shaping the life of the Russian Federation.

366 [153] Politics in Mexico (3)
This course provides an overview of the contemporary Mexican political system. The primary focus is on the breakdown of the dominant party system in the late twentieth century and the subsequent recalibration of executive-legislative relations, decentralization of power and emergence of democratic political culture and competition.

367 [189] Politics in Japan (3)
This course examines the development of contemporary Japanese politics by analyzing Japan's pre-WWII political and social systems, its domestic capabilities, and Japanese policy-making processes. The course also evaluates current and speculates regarding future Japanese politics by assessing historical and current political, economic, and social conditions in Japan.

368 [190] Politics in China (3)
This course examines politics and political issues in the People's Republic of China from the mid-1800s to the present. Throughout the course students assess factors such as China's traditional political, social, and economic systems, ideology, and current policy-making structures that shape China's policies in order to understand contemporary Chinese political issues.

370 [170] Core Course: International Relations (3)
This course analyzes the major theoretical perspectives in the field of international relations by reflecting upon the writings of the most important scholars in the discipline. Students study the mainstream realist and liberal approaches and explore theoretical alternatives to these paradigms. The relationship between theory and practice is also examined.

371 [178] American Foreign Policy (3)
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing American foreign policy in the twenty-frst century. Students examine the historical legacy and internal and external constraints on foreign policy decision-making. Students also study theoretical approaches in the discipline of international relations and discuss their relevance to an empirical analysis of American foreign policy.

372 [ 182] Russian Foreign Policy (3)
This course is designed to introduce students to the nature and substance of Russian foreign policy after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Students explore the implications of loss of superpower status on Russian national identity, of the interrelationship between domestic reform and foreign policy, and of the challenges of developing relationships on a new footing with newly independent states of Eurasia and with the rest of the world.

374 [185] U.S.-Latin American Relations (3)
The course explores the history of economic and political relations between the U.S. and Latin America to understand the basis of contemporary U.S. policy. Topics examined include military intervention, drug trafficking, immigration and trade policies, and relations with Cuba.

375 [193] Comparative Foreign Policy (3)
The course offers a comparative approach to the study of foreign policy. Public policy formation and political structures in various countries are analyzed with particular attention to the linkage between domestic and foreign policy decision-making.

376 [179] U.S. National Security (3)
This course examines contemporary U.S. security policy, including military technology, nuclear strategy and arms control, recent U.S. military interventions, biological and chemical weapons, domestic security politics, the defense industry and budget, and terrorism.

377 [177] Regional Security (3)
This course examines security dynamics in three important regions of the world (Europe, East Asia, and Latin America.) We address issues ranging from military technologies to diplomatic relations, political economy, and transnational challenges like drug trafficking and terrorism.

378 [195] Transnational Crime and Terrorism (3)
This course focuses on how the law enforcement community has responded to the unprecedented increase in crimes and terrorist acts that cross international borders. The course examines those factors that have led to this increase in transnational crime and terrorism, the types of crimes that pose the greatest threat to alwful societies, the responses that have been developed to combat transnational crime, and the extent to which transnational crime threatens the national security interests of the United States and the world community.

380 [130] Core Course: International Political Economy (3)
This course offers a n introduction to the study of the history, issues, and dynamics of political/economic interactions in the international economy. The course covers both advanced industrial societies and less developed countries. Special topics such as international energy, the international debt crisis and international migration are considered. Economics 101 and 102 are recommended prerequisites.

382 [195] International Human Rights (3)
This course explores contending approaches to human rights, the role of institutions and organizations in setting human rights agendas, and human rights problems and policies in international politics.

383 [128] International Organizations (3)
This course provides a n introduction to the study of the international organization in world politics. The focus is on the United Nations and other selected organizations. 

430 [143] Field Seminar in California Government (1)
Students attend a three-day seminar on California government and politics in the California State Capitol Building in Sacramento. The seminar is offered only during the Spring semester at the end of February. Students attend seminar presentations featuring elected state legislators, legislative and executive staffers, journalists, lobbyists, and academic experts on current issues confronting California.

434 [141] Wash DC:  The Press and the Presidency (3)
This course provides an analysis of U.S. politics and decision-making as seen through an extensive evaluation of the U.S. press and the U.S. presidency. Students meet during the first two weeks in Washington, D.C. during Intersession.

435 [198] Wash DC: Directed Study in Political Science
This course requires students to complete a research paper while interning in Washington, D.C. The paper addresses an issue in political science that relates to the internship experience.

436 [198] Wash DC: Internship in Political Science (6)
Students work 35-40 hours a week in Washington, D.C. at an internship related to political science. The internship must be approved by the Department of Political Science and International Relations. Students receive six units of credit of which three may apply toward the major.

437 [198] Wash DC: Class in Political Science (3)
This political science course is taken in Washington, D.C. during the internship.The course must be approved by the Department of Political Science and International Relations.

444 [194] Special Topics in Political Science (3)
Special topics courses offer an examination of a topical issue affecting politics in the United States. The course number may be repeated for credit provided the topics of the courses are different.

448 [198] Internship in Political Science (1-6)
This course involves participation in a governmental office at local, state, or national level. Students are required to complete a research paper under the supervision of the instructor. This course is open only to junior or senior Political Science or International Relations majors with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students may not enroll in more than six internship units, and only three may be used toward the major.

449 [199] Independent Study in Political Science (1-3)
This course involves advanced individual study in Public Policy, American Politics, Public Law, Political Behavior, or Political Theory. This course is open only to junior or senior Political Science or International Relations majors with a grade point average in Political Science courses of 3.3 or higher. Approval of instructor and department chair is required, and substantial prior course work in the area is expected.

480 [142] Model United Nations (1)
This course involves a simulation of the decision-making processes of the United Nations. Students participate in at least one conference per semester where they have the opportunity to represent an assigned country and compete against other universities. This course may be reapeated once for credit.

485 [198] Wash DC: Directed Study in International Relations (3)
This course requires students to complete a research paper while interning in Washington, D.C. The paper addresses an issue in international relations that relates to the internship experience.

486 [198] Wash DC: Internship in International Relations (6)
Students work 35-40 hours a week in Washington, D.C. at an internship related to international relations. The internship must be approved by the Department of Political Science and International Relations. Students receive six units of credit of which three may apply toward the major.

487 [198] Wash DC: Class in International Relations (3)
This international relations course is taken in Washington, D.C. during the internship. The course must be approved by the Department of Political Science and International Relations.

494 [195] Special Topics in International Relations (3)
Special topics courses offer an examination of a topical issue affecting the domestic politics of foreign countries or the international political system. This course number may be repeated for credit provided the topics of the courses.

498 [198] Internship in International Relations (1-6)
This course involves participation in an internship related to international relations. Students are be required to complete a research paper under the supervision of the instructor. This course is open only to junior or senior Political Science or International Relations majors with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students may not enroll in more than six internship units, and only three may be used toward the major.

499 [199] Independent Study in International Relations (1-3)
This course involves advanced individual study in International Relations or Comparative Politics. This course is open only to junior or senior Political Science or International Relations majors with a grade point average  in Political Science courses of 3.3 or higher. Approval of instructor and department chair is required, and substantial prior course work in the area is expected.

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