Political Science (AA-T)
Department website: https://www.cerritos.edu/political-science/
ASSOCIATE IN ARTS FOR TRANSFER (AA-T)
The goal of the program is to introduce students to the major fields of study in political science as well as the theoretical and practical aspects of government and politics. A major in political science is of benefit to students seeking careers in law, journalism, foreign affairs, economics, business, public relations, and public administration. The program includes the study of American Politics (principles, institutions, and policies) and, depending upon the student’s chosen course of study, may also include Comparative Politics (institutional structures, processes, and political cultures), International Relations (structure and operation of the international system), and/or Political Philosophy (ideas about human nature, power, justice, and the state). Completion of the degree indicates that the student will have satisfied the lower division requirements for a seamless transfer into the California State University system for political science majors.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Students describe a common set of core topics including major political systems, political behavior, political violence, political culture, and political legitimacy.
- Students describe the scope of the political science discipline in terms of its major sub-fields.
- Students explain relations between nations, political philosophies, and ethical dimensions of government.
- Students identify crucial facts, historical events, and structures of political institutions.
Program Requirements
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core (Select three: 9 units) | 9.0 | |
| American Government and Politics (3) | ||
| International Relations (3) | ||
| Comparative Government (3) | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory (3) | ||
| List A (Select two: minimum of 6 units) | 6.0-7.5 | |
| Any course not selected from Required Core | ||
| Introduction to Political Science and American Government (3) | ||
| Elementary Statistics (4-4.5) | ||
or MATH 112S | Enhanced Elementary Statistics | |
or STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| Race, Gender and Sexual Identity in American Politics (3) | ||
or ETHN 280 | Race, Gender and Sexual Identity in American Politics | |
| Race, Ethnicity, and Latinx Politics in the U.S. (3) | ||
or ETHN 281 | Race, Ethnicity, and Latinx Politics in the U.S. | |
| Race, Ethnicity, and Black Politics in the U.S. (3) | ||
or ETHN 282 | Race, Ethnicity, and Black Politics in the U.S. | |
| List B (Select one: 3 units) | 3.0 | |
Any course(s) from List A not already used | ||
| Contemporary Political Issues: Middle East (3) | ||
| Understanding the United Nations: Theory and Practice (3) 1 | ||
| Global Citizenship (3) | ||
| Total Units | 18-19.5 | |
- 1
POL 250 Understanding the United Nations: Theory and Practice may be applied to the degree only once
ASSOCIATE IN ARTS FOR TRANSFER DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
- Completion of 60 CSU-transferable units
- Achievement of a minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. (Some majors may require a higher GPA. Students should consult with a counselor for more information.)
- Completion of the major with a grade of "C" or higher in each course or a "P" if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis and the "P" is equal to a "C" or higher.
- Completion of the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC). The CSU GE (California State University General Education-Breadth) or IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) pattern may be used in some cases; please see a counselor for details.