Political Science
Program Description
Political Science as a social science discipline is the systematic analysis of political power. Informed by theory and the scientific method, political scientists examine a variety of social and political phenomena including but not limited to social and political behavior, public policy, and institutions. Major areas of specialization in the discipline include American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public policy, and political economy.
The value of a political science degree is recognized in both the public and private sectors as it demonstrates development of critical, analytical, and research skills demanded by higher education institutions and the labor market.
Learn more about the program on the Political Science website.
Associate Degree for Transfer
This program also offers an Associate Degree for Transfer. Learn more and review the degree requirements on the Political Science AA-T listing.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to demonstrate critical, analytical, research, and writing skills in political science and its sub-fields using basic scientific tools underlying modern social science.
- Students will be able to analyze the major theoretical formulations and concepts of political science and its sub-fields and the philosophical basis of those formulations.
Career Opportunities
A major in political science is excellent preparation for students who plan to enter the legal profession, government service, public office, business, the armed forces, and/or teaching. Graduate degrees are necessary for teaching at the college or university level and can prepare students for a variety of career options including but not limited to the foreign service.
Award Type(s)
- AA = Associate in Arts Degree
Units Required
- Major: 35
Additional Information
Note: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.
Associate Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| English Proficiency | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| ENGL 1A | COMPOSITION & READING | 5 |
| ENGL 1AH | HONORS COMPOSITION & READING | 5 |
| ESLL 26 | ADVANCED COMPOSITION & READING | 5 |
| or equivalent | ||
| Mathematics Proficiency | ||
| College-level math course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra | ||
A minimum of 90 units is required1 to include:
- Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
- Core courses (18 units)
- Support courses (17 units)
- 1
Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree.
Core and Support Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| POLI 1 | POLITICAL SCIENCE: INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT & POLITICS | 5 |
| POLI 2 | COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS | 4 |
| or POLI 2H | HONORS COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS | |
| POLI 3 | INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY/POLITICAL THEORY | 5 |
| or POLI 3H | HONORS INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY/POLITICAL THEORY | |
| POLI 15 | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/WORLD POLITICS | 4 |
| or POLI 15H | HONORS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/WORLD POLITICS | |
| Support Courses | ||
| Select nine units from the following: | 9 | |
| PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS | ||
| HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1815 | ||
or HIST 17B | HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1812 TO 1914 | |
or HIST 17C | HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1914 TO THE PRESENT | |
| CALIFORNIA POLITICS & GOVERNMENT | ||
| POLITICAL ECONOMY | ||
or POLI 9H | HONORS POLITICAL ECONOMY | |
or ECON 9 | POLITICAL ECONOMY | |
or ECON 9H | HONORS POLITICAL ECONOMY | |
| CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES FOR A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY | ||
| And eight units from the following: 1 | 8 | |
| THE GLOBAL ECONOMY | ||
| HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICA | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO MIDDLE EASTERN CIVILIZATION | ||
| HISTORY OF RUSSIA & THE SOVIET UNION | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING & SPATIAL REASONING | ||
or GEOG 11 | INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING & SPATIAL REASONING | |
| LAW & SOCIETY | ||
| Total Units | 35 | |
- 1
Students may also use courses listed in the first section of support courses to fulfill the requirement for the second section of support courses.