Political Science (AA-T Degree A0345)
Humanities and Social Sciences Division
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 CSU 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: IGETC pattern or CSU GE breadth 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. 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 Courses | ||
| POLI 1 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 |
| or POLI 1H | Introduction to American Government and Politics - Honors | |
| List A | ||
| Choose three courses from the following: | 9-10 | |
| Elementary Statistics | ||
or MATH 110H | Elementary Statistics - Honors | |
or PSYC 10 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | |
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Political Theory I - Ancient to Contemporary | ||
| International Relations | ||
| List B | ||
| Choose two courses from the following or any course not selected in List A: | 6 | |
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics | ||
or BUSC 1AH | Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics - Honors | |
| Human Geography | ||
or GEOG 2H | Human Geography - Honors | |
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Geography of California | ||
| History of the United States | ||
| World History: Early Modern to the Present | ||
or HIST 4H | World History: Early Modern to the Present - Honors | |
| History of the United States to 1877 | ||
or HIST 7H | History of the United States to 1877 - Honors | |
| History of the United States from 1865 | ||
or HIST 8H | History of the United States from 1865 - Honors | |
| Political Theory II - Early Modern to Contemporary | ||
| Environmental Politics | ||
| Latino Politics in the United States | ||
| African American/Black Politics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
or PSYC 1AH | Introduction to Psychology - Honors | |
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
or SOC 1H | Introduction to Sociology - Honors | |
| Total Units for Major | 18-19 | |
| CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern 1 | 39-42 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
| 1 | Courses may be double-counted with either CSU-GE or IGETC. |
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.
Looking for guidance? A counselor can help.
This Guided Pathways for Success (GPS) is a suggested sequence of coursework needed for program completion. It is not an official educational plan. Schedule an appointment with a counselor or advisor as soon as possible to create an individualized Mountie Academic Plan (MAP) specific to your goals and needs.
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1A | Freshman Composition 4 | 4 |
| POLI 1 | Introduction to American Government and Politics 3 | 3 |
| CSU ARTS | CSU GE C1 Arts Crse 3 | 3 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Winter Term 1 | ||
| SPCH 1A | Public Speaking 4 | 4 |
| Units | 4 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| CSU HUM | CSU GE C2 Humanities Crse 3 | 3-4 |
| CSU CRTTH | CSU Area A-3 Crit Thnkg Course 3 | 3-4 |
| CSU SCNC1 | CSU GE B1 Physical Sc Crse 3 | 3-5 |
| C2 Hist 1 1 | ||
| PHIL 3 recommended for major (Area A-3) 3 | ||
| Area C-2 recommend foreign language 2 | ||
| Units | 9-13 | |
| Summer Term 1 | ||
| CSU LIFE | CSU GE E Lifelng Self Dev Crse 3 | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| CSU SCNC2 | CSU GE B2 Life Sc Crse 3 | 3-5 |
| CSU LAB | CSU GE B3 Phy/Life Sc Lab Crse 1 | 1-2 |
| Units | 4-7 | |
| Winter Term 2 | ||
| CSU ELECT | CSU Trnsf Course (Elective) 3 | 1-5 |
| Units | 1-5 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| CSU ART/H | CSU GE C-1 or C-2 Art/Hum Crse 3 | 3-4 |
| CSU ELECT | CSU Trnsf Course (Elective) 3 | 1-5 |
| CSU ELECT | CSU Trnsf Course (Elective) 3 | 1-5 |
| CSU ELECT | CSU Trnsf Course (Elective) 3 | 1-5 |
| CSU/UC transfer elective to meet 60 units 0 | ||
| Units | 6-19 | |
| Total Units | 37-61 | |
