Political Science
The Department of History and Political Science offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. The program provides an understanding of important political ideas and ideologies as well as the workings of basic political processes and institutions. It also serves as an excellent preparation for advanced study and careers in law, politics, business, public administration, and education.
Bachelor of Arts: Political Science
| In addition to major requirements, students must meet Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements. | ||
| Prerequisites | Units | |
| HY007A/B | World History | 6 |
| Total Prerequisites | 6 | |
| Major Requirements | Units | |
| PS001 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
| PS002 | Introduction to Comparative Governments | 3 |
| PS101 | Methods and Methodology | 3 |
| PS101S | Statistical Software in Behavioral Science Research | 1 |
| PS118 | History of Political and Social Thought | 3 |
| PS119 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| PS120 | Parties, Politics, and Campaigning | 3 |
| PS123 | International Relations | 3 |
| PS197 | Capstone: Versions of Utopia * | 3 |
| Upper-division Electives in Political Science | 6 | |
| *(pending approval) Total Major Requirements |
31 |
|
| Other Degree Requirements*
and General Electives * Other degree requirements include Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements (e.g., Career Development, U.S. History). |
87 | |
| Total Unit Requirement | 124 | |
Because of the large number of elective units available, the department usually recommends a double major.
Minor Requirements: Political Science
| Required Courses | Units | |
| HY007A/B | World History | 6 |
| PS001 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
| PS002 | Introduction to Comparative Government | 3 |
| Upper-division units in Political
Science, approved by Department Chair |
9 | |
Political Science Courses
PS001 Introduction to American Government (3)
Introduces American government and institutions.
PS002/102 Introduction to Comparative Governments (3)
Surveys comparative governments and institutions.
PS101 Methods and Methodology (3)
Introduces qualitative and quantitative methods used in history
and political science and briefly discusses the epistemological
foundations of these methods. Cross-listed with HY101.
PS101S Statistical Software in Behavioral Science Research (1)
Prerequisite: MA102 or permission of instructor.
Corequisite: Concurrent enrollment in HY101 or PS101.
Reviews basic statistical
concepts and procedures, both descriptive and inferential, through a
software approach with examples from behavioral and social sciences.
Hands-on application of statistical software (e.g.SPSS) is integrated
with the design analysis of various
research paradigms. Students receive individualized assistance to
develop
and implement the statistical design, analysis, interpretation, and
reporting suitable to their research projects. Cross-listed with HY101S.
PS118 History of Political and Social Thought (3)
Cross-listed with HY118. See History
listings for course description.
PS119 State and Local Government (3)
Introduces the functions and services of government on the state
and local levels.
PS120 Parties, Politics, and Campaigning (3)
Surveys the history of the development of political parties in the
United States and examines their current ideologies and functions.
Cross-listed with SO119.
PS123 International Relations (3)
Examines the history and values out of which nations have devised
ways of relating to one another.
PS128B Modern Western Thought (3)
Cross-listed with HY128B. See History
listings for course description.
PS150 Nazi Germany (3)
Cross-listed with HY150. See History
listings for course description.
PS152 Sex and Myth in History (3)
Cross-listed with HY152. See History
listings for course description.
PS153 Europe since World War II (3)
Cross-listed with HY153. See History listings for course description
PS156 Novels as History (3)
Cross-listed with EN156 and HY156. See History
listings for course description.
PS158 Modern Times (3)
Cross-listed with HY158. See History
listings for course description.
PS159 History and Politics in Film (3)
Cross-listed with HY159. See History
listings for course description.
PS160 World Geography [CDiv] (3)
Introduces the cultural and physical geography with special emphasis
upon the relationship between geography and social/political and
economic developments.
PS162 Latin American Area Studies [CDiv] (3)
Cross-listed with HY162. See History
listings for course description.
PS163A American History, 1607-1877 (3)
Cross-listed with HY163A. See History listings
for course description.
PS163B American History 1877-Present (3)
Cross-listed with HY163B. See History listings for course description.
PS170 The Constitution (3)
Surveys the history of the U.S. Constitution. Includes article by
article analysis, study of outstanding Supreme Court cases related
to the document, and research in constitution-making processes.
Cross-listed with HY170.
PS173 Political Psychology (3)
Studies the psychological roots of political behavior and decision-making
as well as theories relating to political activism and violence.
Cross-listed with HY173 and PY173.
PS174 Gender and the Law [CDiv] (3)
Introduces the question of gender relations and the law, with particular
emphasis on recent developments in law and on issues of sexual harassment.
Particularly recommended for pre-law students. Cross-listed with
HY174.
PS177 History and Politics of the Civil Rights Movement in the
United States [CDiv] (3)
Cross-listed with HY177. See History
listings for course description.
PS178 America's Ethnic History (3) [CDiv]
Cross-listed with HY178. See History
listings for course description.
PS180 African Area Studies [CDiv] (3)
Cross-listed with HY180. See History
listings for course description.
PS181 Islam and the West [CDiv] (3)
Cross-listed with HY181 and RS181. See History
listings for course description.
PS184 Asian Area Studies [CDiv] (3)
Surveys the geography, history, culture, ethics, politics, and economics
of the Asian countries with special emphasis on current geopolitical
relations. Cross-listed with HY184.
PS189 California History (3)
Cross-listed with HY189. See History
listings for course description.
PS190 Middle East Area Studies [CDiv] (3)
Cross-listed with HY190. See History
listings for course description.
PS190M Model Arab League [CDiv] (1)
Corequisite: PS190 or permission of the instructor.
Cross-listed with HY190M.
PS195 Special Topics in Political Science (3)
Current issues and special courses may be offered periodically.
PS197 Capstone: Versions of Utopia (3)
Cross-listed with HY197. See History listings for course description.
PS199 Independent Study in Political Science (1-3)
Provides an opportunity for individual study or research under the
direction of an instructor. See Undergraduate
Policies and Procedures section on Independent Study.