Bakersfield College
Associate in Arts Degree
Political Science
The majors in Political Science are designed for students interested in gaining an understanding
of the structure and functions of governments. The majors are an important part of the liberal arts
program and prepare students for further study and careers in education, law, business,
government, interna-tional relations and journalism. The student should select the major
emphasis, and courses according to his/her area of specialization as well as the requirements of
the college to which he/she plans to transfer. The student should also consult his/her counselor
and the appropriate four-year college catalogs in determining an appropriate minor, foreign
language requirements, and other requirements.
Required Courses: 18 units
POLS B1
POLS B2
or
POLS B3
POLS B12
or
POLS B16
HIST B4ab
or
HIST B17ab
or
HIST B20ab
or
HIST B30ab
ECON B2
or
PSYC B5
or
MATH B22
American Government: National, State and local 3.0
Comparative Government 3.0
International Politics
State and Local Government 3.0
Vital Political Problems
European Civilization 6.0
History of the U.S.
African American History of the US
Chicano History
Principles of Economics-Macro 3.0
Elementary Statistics for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (4.0)
Elementary Probability and Statistics (5.0)
Cuesta College
POL ITICAL SCIENCE
A.A., Political Science
Required Courses (18 units)
POLSCI 1 Introduction to Political Science 3
POLSCI 2 Government of the United States 3
POLSCI 4 World Politics 3
POLSCI 5 Law and Politics: Introduction to Legal
Controversies 3
POLSCI 6 Comparative Government 3
POLSCI 9 Introduction to Political Theory 3
Plus 9 units from the following:
ECON 1A Principles of Economics 3
HIST 3A* History of World Civilizations 3
HIST 3B* History of World Civilizations 3
HIST 4A* History of Western Civilization 3
HIST 4B* History of Western Civilization 3
HIST 7A* History of the United States 3
HIST 7B* History of the United States 3
HIST 8A* History of Latin America 3
HIST 8B* History of Latin America 3
HIST 10* History of California 3
HIST 12* History of the Mexican-American 3
HIST 19* History of the Far East 3
HIST 33* History of the Afro-American 3
HIST 35* History of African Civilization 3
HIST 39* History of the Role of Women 3
PHIL 6 Introduction to Philosophy 3
or PHIL 8 Introduction to Logic 3
PSYCH 6 Introduction to Social Psychology 3
SOC 6 Minority Group Relations 3
* No more than 6 units
Monterey Peninsular College
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Associate in Arts
Associate Degree Requirements UNITS
CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern 34-39
Major Area
HIST 17 History of the United States I 3
HIST 18 History of the United States II 3
MATH 16 Elementary Statistics 3
POLS 1 American Government & Politics 3
POLS 4 International Relations 3
Select one course from the following: 3
POLS 10 Women in American Government (3)
POLS 16 African-Americans in Amer. Gov. (3)
POLS 18 Latinos in American Government (3)
Electives to total 60 units
TOTAL DEGREE UNITS 60
Contact an MPC counselor for major preparation at specific institutions
Santa Rosa Junior College
Program Requirements:
The requirements for the Political Science program are:

Complete 19.0 units from
o Political Science Major Requirements
o Information Learning Resources Requirement
Political Science Major Requirements - complete 18.0 units
Course
Description
Units
POLS 1
Introduction to United States Government
3.0
POLS 2
Introduction to Comparative Government
3.0
POLS 18
Political Theory
3.0
POLS 25
Introduction to International Relations
3.0
Complete any combination totaling at least 6.0 units from the following:
ECON 1A Principles of Economics
ECON 1B Principles of Economics
ECON 30 The Global Economy
HIST 1.2 World History Since 1500
HIST 4.1 History of Western Civilization to 1648
HIST 4.2 History of Western Civilization from 1648
HIST 17.1 History of the United States to 1877
HIST 17.2 History of the United States from 1877 to Present
HIST 20
History of the US Since 1945
HIST 22
History of California
MATH 15 Elementary Statistics with Computer
PHIL 9
Political Philosophy
POLS 20 Political Power: the Experience of American Cultural Groups
POLS 70 California State & Local Government
SOC 1
Introduction to Sociology
SOC 2
Social Problems & Deviance
Information Learning Resources Requirement - complete 1.0 units
Course
Description
Complete any combination totaling at least 1.0 units from the following:
LIR 10
Introduction to Information Literacy
LIR 30
Information Literacy for Research Projects
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
Units
1.0
1.0
Foothill College
Political Science
(2008-2009)
Political Science as a social science is mainly concerned with the description and analysis of governmental
institutions and processes, and the analysis and development of power. It fully analyzes the political
behavior of human beings. Specific areas of specialization within the major include the international arena,
public administration, political parties and elections, constitutional law, and regional political studies,
depending upon one's career objectives.
The value of a political science degree is recognized by business and government agencies as it involves
insights and a variety of skills demanded by employment needs.
Career Opportunities
A major in political science is excellent preparation for students who plan to enter the legal profession,
business, politics, government service, or teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Graduate degrees
are necessary for college teaching positions and helpful for selection to foreign service as a career diplomat.
Courses in business principles, geography, computer science and statistics should be taken as electives to
increase marketability of the graduate to potential employers.
Units required for Major: 35
Associate Degree Requirements:
• English proficiency: ENGL 1A, ESL 26 or equivalent.
• Mathematics proficiency: MATH 103/105 or equivalent.
A minimum of 90 units required to include:
• All General Education requirements
• Core courses (18 Units)
• Support courses (9 Units)
• Electives (8 Units)
• Other graduation requirements as appropriate.
NOTE: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a GPA of 2.0 or
higher is required in all Core and Support courses for the Degree.
Program Type(s):
AA = Associate in Arts Degree.
Additional Information:
NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an Associate in Arts Degree because of timing or availability of
classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.
NOTE: Students may also use courses listed under "Support Courses" for electives.
Core Courses: (18 units)
POLI 1 Political Science: Introduction to American Government & Politics (5 units)
POLI 2 Comparative Government & Politics (4 units)
or POLI 2H Honors Comparative Government & Politics (4 units)
POLI 3 Introduction to Political Philosophy/Political Theory (5 units)
or POLI 3H Honors Introduction to Political Philosophy/Political Theory (5 units)
POLI 15 International Relations/World Politics (4 units)
or POLI 15H Honors International Relations/World Politics (4 units)
Support Courses: (9 units)
ECON 1A Principles of Economics (Macro) (5 Units)
HIST 9 History of Contemporary Europe (4 Units)
or HIST 9H Honors History of Contemporary Europe (4 Units)
HIST 17A History of the United States to 1816 (4 units)
or HIST 17B History of the United States from 1816-1914 (4 units)
or HIST 17C History of the United States 1914-Present (4 units)
POLI 5 Russian & East European Politics (4 units)
POLI 7 American Government & Politics from a Black Perspective (5 units)
POLI 8 Post World War II Germany (4 units)
POLI 9 Political Economy (4 units)
or POLI 9H Honors Political Economy (4 units)
Elective Courses: (8 units)
ECON 25 Introduction to the Global Economy (4 units)
HIST 8 History of Latin America (4 units)
HIST 18 Introduction to Middle Eastern Civilization (4 units)
HIST 19 History of Asia: China/Japan (4 units)
HIST 20 History of Russia & The Soviet Union (4 units)
PHIL 2 Social & Political Philosophy (4 units)
SOC 15 Law & Society (4 units)
Academic Year: 2008-2009