Political Science B.A. Degree (or Major)

Required Courses

Lower Division: 9 units

POL 1American Politics and Government

3

POL 2Introduction to World Politics

3

POL 15Introduction to Research Methods

3

Upper Division: 33 units

POL 101Research Methods

3

At least two of the upper division courses must be in the American Politics subfield.

6

At least two of the upper division courses must be in International Relations or Comparative Politics subfield.

6

Five additional upper division courses in Political Science

15

POL 153Department Seminar

3

Total Credit Hours:42

Plus General Education requirements and electives totaling 124 semester units, including the Language requirement. 

*POL 153 - Department Seminar (3) fulfills the capstone requirement for Political Science.

Concentration in Public Policy

Students majoring in Political Science may choose to complete a concentration in Public Policy.  Courses within the concentration focus on the process of governmental policy-making; policy-analysis; policy-implementation; and the implications of policy choices.  Students will receive training that prepares them well for careers in the public sector or non-governmental organizations engaged in activities such as policy design, community service and advocacy.

To complete the concentration, students must fulfill all the requirements of the Political Science major, and include the following classes in their course of study:

POL 176Public Policy

3

POL 120Legislative Process

3

POL 179California Politics

3

POL 180State and Local Government

3

POL 161/HCP 161Advanced Policy Analysis

3

POL 162The Politics of Interest Groups

3