Political Science BA
Total Units Required: 120
The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science offers great flexibility in two areas, U.S. politics and legal studies.
The option in U.S. politics. Students choose courses from a rich curriculum, providing close student-faculty contact. Significant work experience and internship opportunities are offered in the state legislature, with lobbying groups, political parties, candidates, and in the offices of U.S. Senators and Representatives.
The option in legal studies. This option provides students with an innovative course of study with a law-related emphasis. Students engage in hands-on work in internships or the legal clinic practicum, giving students practical experience through contact with attorneys, judges, inmates, and persons in the community. Students also can participate in a moot court competition. Graduates from this major often pursue careers in law.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Course Requirements for the Major: 42-44 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Research Methodology | ||
| POLS 331W | Introduction to Research Methods (W) | 4 |
| POLS 396 | Research Symposium Experience 1 | 1 |
| Introductory Political Science | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Law, Politics, and Justice | ||
| Vital Political Problems | ||
| International Relations/Comparative Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Political Theory | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Political Thought | ||
| Origins of Western Political Thought | ||
| Black Political Thought | ||
| Contemporary Political Thought | ||
| Jurisprudence: Philosophy of Law | ||
| U.S. Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| State and Local Government | ||
| The Presidency | ||
| Congress | ||
| Public Policy/ Public Administration | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
| Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Public Policy Formation | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Constitutional Law: Powers and Restraints | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties | ||
| Major Option | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 19-21 | |
| Total Units | 42-44 | |
- 1
One unit of credit for POLS 396 will be assigned when enrolled in option senior seminar (LEGL 459 or POLS 429W).
Major Option Course Requirements
Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.
Option in U.S. Politics: 19 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Research Methodology | ||
| POLS 421 | Applied Research Methods | 3 |
| U.S. Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Women and Politics (W) | ||
| The Politics of Race and Ethnicity in the United States | ||
| Latino Politics | ||
| Interest Groups and Lobbying | ||
| U.S. Campaigns and Elections | ||
| U.S. Political Institutions | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| State and Local Government | ||
| The Presidency | ||
| Congress | ||
| Internship or Practicum | ||
| Select three units from the following: | 3 | |
| Internship in Criminal Justice | ||
| Internship in Legal Studies | ||
| Legal Clinic Practicum | ||
| Internship in Public Administration | ||
| Work or Community Experience in Selected Governmental or Community Agencies | ||
| Internship in Political Science | ||
| Senior Seminar | ||
| POLS 399 | Independent Study 2 | 1 |
| POLS 429W | Senior Seminar in U.S. Politics (W) | 3 |
| Elective Requirement | ||
| Select three units from the following: | 3 | |
Any upper-division Criminal Justice (CRIM), International Relations (INTR), Legal Studies (LEGL), Public Administration (PADM), or Political Science (POLS) courses | ||
| Total Units | 19 | |
- 1
These courses may be used to satisfy this requirement if not used above in the major core.
- 2
Must be taken for one unit.
Option in Legal Studies: 21 units
Courses listed in multiple requirements can be used only once towards completion of the major.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ||
| LEGL 251 | Introduction to Legal Studies | 3 |
| LEGL 454W | Legal Research and Writing (W) | 3 |
| LEGL 455 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| LEGL 459 | Senior Seminar in Legal Studies | 3 |
| Internship or Practicum | ||
| Select six units from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Internship in Legal Studies | ||
| Legal Clinic Practicum | ||
| Select one of the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Employment Law | ||
| Labor Law and Collective Bargaining | ||
| Entrepreneurship Law | ||
| Estate Planning | ||
| International Law | ||
| Mass Communication Law | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Legal Analysis | ||
| Theories, Practices, and Administration of Justice (W) | ||
| Sexual Minorities Law/Politics (W) | ||
| Criminal Procedure | ||
| Constitutional Law: Powers and Restraints | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties | ||
| Alternative Dispute Resolution | ||
| Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Planning Law | ||
| Law and Disadvantaged Persons | ||
| Trial and Appellate Advocacy | ||
| Community Legal Information Clinic Directorship | ||
| Laws, Ethics, and Regulations in Health Services | ||
| Legal Principles of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management | ||
| Total Units | 21 | |
- 1
These courses may be taken more than once for credit.
- 2
LEGL 451A, LEGL 451B/MCGS 451B or LEGL 461 may be used to satisfy this requirement if not used above in the major core.
- 3
Must be taken for three units.
Electives Requirement
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 48 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings.
One of the following GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) courses is recommended to support the student in either of the options in the political science major:
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
Option in U.S. Politics
- POLS 429W Senior Seminar in U.S. Politics (W)
Option in Legal Studies
- LEGL 454W Legal Research and Writing (W)
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (EO 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.