Academic Catalog

Political Science (POL)

POL 1013.0 UNITS
American Political Institutions

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course is a study of United States and California government and politics, including the national and state constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. It emphasizes the rights and responsibilities of citizens and political issues facing government. Emphasis will be given to practical policy formulation at all levels.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC*
C-ID: POLS 110
*UC: credit limits may apply. POL 101 and POL 201 combined: maximum credit, one course..
POL 1103.0 UNITS
California State and Local Government

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course stresses the study of California State and local government (counties, cities, and special districts) and California party politics, including the study of the California constitution, intergovernmental relations, regional governments, and urban politics and problems. This course is designed to make available to students, concepts, information, and skills which will enable them to better understand the political and governmental systems in which citizen's function.
Transfer Credit: CSU
POL 2013.0 UNITS
Introduction to Political Science and American Government

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course is an introductory survey of the field of political science designed to familiarize students with basic political concepts, political ideologies, political systems, and subfields within political science. This course will also focus on the major concepts, theories, institutions, processes and policies of government at the national, state, and local levels. The class is intended for college transfer students, especially political science majors.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC*
C-ID: POLS 150
*UC: Credit limits may apply. POL 101 and POL 201 combined: maximum credit, one course.
POL 2103.0 UNITS
International Relations

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course is a study of basic concepts, theories, and principles of international politics. Emphasis shall be placed on an examination of national, international, transnational, and sub-national actors and their institutions, interactions, and processes as they relate to global issues; as well as contemporary world affairs including the importance of nationalism, imperialism, ideology, alliance systems, the rise of the developing nations and the nature of international organizations. Specific case studies shall be examined to illustrate the various principles of international relations.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
C-ID: POLS 140
POL 2203.0 UNITS
Comparative Government

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course is a study of different kinds of political systems including comparative analysis of their history, political institutions, processes and policies, the environment in which they occur, and differing ideologies, current political problems and their consequences.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
C-ID: POLS 130
POL 2303.0 UNITS
Contemporary Political Issues: Middle East

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

A one-semester course emphasizing the basic issues in conflict between nations of the Middle East, this class will investigate, in addition to the political and economic conditions, the social and cultural contributions of the Middle Eastern nations.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
POL 2403.0 UNITS
Introduction to Political Theory

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course is an introduction to western political thought. The course surveys major themes in the history of political theory, including works by Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Machiavelli, Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau and Marx. Topics of discussion include how best to govern society, the quality and ethics of political leadership, the sources of law and governmental authority, the issue of liberty and justice, and the role of the state in economic relations.
Transfer Credit: CSU;UC
C-ID: POLS 120
POL 2503.0 UNITS
Understanding the United Nations: Theory and Practice

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of international diplomacy through participation in Model United Nations (MUN) simulations and intercollegiate model United Nations conferences. It explores the purpose and functions of international organizations with emphasis on the United Nations. It examines the historical development, norms, rules and procedures of the United Nations. Students will debate major issues of the organization; learn parliamentary procedures, diplomacy, international advocacy and extemporaneous speaking. The MUN simulation activities component of this course will afford students the opportunity to represent specific countries at simulated conferences sponsored and attended by colleges and universities in the region, nation-wide and all over the world. May be repeated for a total of 6 units in different semesters.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
POL 2553.0 UNITS
Global Citizenship

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course is an introduction to international studies and global studies for political science majors and non-majors. It reviews the key events and patterns in the world to understand the ways that relations among world communities impact the lives of the people in them. It examines the key elements of global citizenship. And it introduces students to the concept of “Glocal” – think globally, act locally. The world communities are becoming increasingly interconnected, interrelated, and interdependent. This phenomenon undoubtedly has a significant effect on the way people live around the world. This course aims to introduce students to the reality of this occurrence, and to critically analyze the various factors that help us to understand how the interconnectedness, interrelatedness, and interdependency is happening and the general effects they are having on us. By examining these factors which are rooted in politics, economic, military, environmental, and social relations, we ourselves are immersed in them as global citizens. And ultimately seek to understand what global citizenship is, and what are the rights and responsibilities that accompany this title of global citizen.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
POL 2603.0 UNITS
Public Policy and the Supreme Court

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course introduces students to the concept of how public policy is formed, how law reflects and affects societal norms, how legal mores change over time, and how law relates to its execution. Students study civil liberties, Supreme Court cases, and the tension between rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Students learn how gender, race and sexuality have been defined over time by policymakers.
Transfer Credit: CSU
POL 2803.0 UNITS
Race, Gender and Sexual Identity in American Politics

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the political power and powerlessness of ethnic and marginalized communities within the United States. Central to this study will be the histories, lived experiences, pivotal theories and concepts, contemporary challenges, and social movements of African Americans, Native Americans, Latinx Americans, Asian Americans, Women, and the LGBTQ+ community. Students will also be introduced to diverse perspectives on empowerment, sovereignty, self-determination, identity, intersectionality, agency, and anti-racism related to racial and social justice and liberation. Additionally, the course will critically examine how racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination impacts political participation, representation, and the distribution of power within the American political landscape and society. This course is not open to students who are currently enrolled in or who have received credit for ETHN280.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
POL 2813.0 UNITS
Race, Ethnicity, and Latinx Politics in the U.S.

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course serves to broaden the ethnic and racial perspectives of students by examining the political, social, and cultural experiences of Latinx communities in the United States. Special attention is devoted to theoretical approaches to the study of Latinx politics, the diversity and intersectionality of Latinx identity and political equality, the systemic barriers to political and socio-economic progress, and how inequalities affect power, privilege, and political behavior in the United States. Students will also analyze the social movements and contemporary issues affecting Latinx Americans in their struggle for equal access to the U.S. political system. This course is not open to students who are currently enrolled in or who have received credit for ETHN 281.
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
POL 2823.0 UNITS
Race, Ethnicity, and Black Politics in the U.S.

Class Hours: 3.0 Lecture
Total Contact Hours: 54 Lecture

This course serves to broaden the ethnic and racial perspectives of students by examining the political, social, and cultural experiences of African Americans in the United States. Special attention will be placed on Black political ideologies and theories, the diversity and intersectionality of Black identity and political equality, systemic barriers to political and socioeconomic progress, and how discrimination affects power, privilege, and political behavior. Students will also analyze the social movements and contemporary political issues affecting Black Americans in their struggle for equal access to the U.S. political system. This course is not open to students who are currently enrolled in or who have received credit for ETHN 282.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
POL 2981.0 UNITS
Directed Studies
A course to provide opportunity for individual research and field projects under the direction of a faculty member in a given department. With the guidance of the faculty member, students prepare and carry out a written learning agreement describing the purposes and outcomes of the project. Students should expect to meet with the supervising faculty member one to two hours each week for conferences. Credit is based upon the number of hours in the semester expected to complete the project (1 unit for 54 hours). This course may be taken a maximum of 2 times. For selected disciplines, UC transfer credit may be possible after admission to a UC campus, pending review of appropriate course materials by UC staff. See a counselor for an explanation.
Transfer Credit: CSU
POL 2992.0 UNITS
Directed Studies
A course to provide opportunity for individual research and field projects under the direction of a faculty member in a given department. With the guidance of the faculty member, students prepare and carry out a written learning agreement describing the purposes and outcomes of the project. Students should expect to meet with the supervising faculty member one to two hours each week for conferences. Credit is based upon the number of hours in the semester expected to complete the project (2 units for 108 hours). This course may be taken a maximum of 2 times. For selected disciplines, UC transfer credit may be possible after admission to a UC campus, pending review of appropriate course materials by UC staff. See a counselor for an explanation.
Transfer Credit: CSU