Political Science (AA-T Degree A0345)

Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Degree A0345

Political Science introduces students to political science theories and methodologies used in the scientific study of political institutions and behavior. The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree will provide students with the foundational knowledge necessary to identify research and statistical methods appropriate to political science, to compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in political science and synthesize the analysis of institutions and individuals. The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree is designed to assist students in seamlessly transferring to a California State University to major in Political Science.

To earn an associate degree for transfer a student must complete 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to a CSU that consist of Cal-GETC pattern and a major of at least 18 units. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework to receive an associate degree for transfer and all courses in the major must be completed with a C or better. A “P” (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass or No Pass basis. Students earning an associate degree for transfer will not be required to complete any other local graduation requirements.

Required Courses

Course Prefix Course Name Units
Core Courses9
Choose three courses from the following:
American Government and Politics
American Government and Politics - Honors
Comparative Politics
Political Theory I - Ancient to Contemporary
International Relations
List A6-7
Choose two courses from the following or any course not already used from the core courses:
Applied Business Statistics
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Introduction to Statistics in Sociology and Social Sciences
Introduction to Statistics
Introduction to Statistics - Honors
Political Theory II - Early Modern to Contemporary
Environmental Politics
Latino Politics in the United States
African American/Black Politics
List B3
Choose one course from the following or any course not already used from the core courses or List A.
Cultural Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology - Honors
Human Geography
Human Geography - Honors
World Regional Geography
Geography of California
History of the United States
World History: Early Modern to the Present
World History: Early Modern to the Present - Honors
History of the United States to 1877
History of the United States to 1877 - Honors
History of the United States from 1865
History of the United States from 1865 - Honors
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Psychology - Honors
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology - Honors
Total Units for Major18-19
General Education (Cal-GETC) units 134
Total Units60
1

Courses may be double-counted for the major and Cal-GETC. However, courses may not be double-counted to satisfy more than one area of Cal-GETC.

Program Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:

  • Explain political institutions and processes of the United States government.
  • Identify research and statistical methods appropriate to Political Science.
  • Compare and contrast major theoretical perspectives in Political Science.
  • Analyze the relationships between governments globally.
  • Compare and contrast the institutions and processes of governments around the world.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

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