Political Science, B.A.: Traditional Political Science Concentration

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Political Science, B.A. Program (120 units)

Program Description

The political science curriculum helps students to acquire an organized body of knowledge about government and to think analytically about public policy, law, and politics. The political science degree prepares graduates to enter careers in government, public service, public administration, public policy analysis, legislative advocacy, business, international relations, and teaching. Many Cal State East Bay political science graduates continue their academic careers in law school, or in the pursuit of graduate degrees in political science or public policy analysis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.A. in Political Science will be able to:

1. develop and articulate an understanding of democratic theory and practice and gain practical experience in politics, public policy, and civic engagement.
2. demonstrate through oral and written competency, an understanding of the theories, concepts, empirical content, and research agendas of the fields of political science with advanced understanding in the selected option.
3. demonstrate an understanding of political culture in the U.S. and around the world including the economic, ideological, ethnic and cultural groups and movements that engage the political process.
4. articulate career goals, demonstrate knowledge of how to achieve those goals, and produce evidence of working to achieve the goals.
5. demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge through collaborative learning and teamwork.

Program Roadmaps

These program roadmaps represent recommended pathways through the program. Please see an advisor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.

Career Opportunities

Political science graduates will thrive in the private, public, and non-profit sectors in: politics and political campaigns;  the legal and judicial fields; public service and administration, civil service, and foreign service; data and policy analyses; lobbying and advocacy; community and grassroots organizing; legislative support; media, communications, and liaisons;  K-12 education and higher education.

Features

The political science major offers three options or concentrations.  The Pre-Law option provides an introduction to the US constitution, the interface between law and society, as well domestic and international laws.  The Public Policy and Administration option  focuses on political institutions, public policy, and administrative processes. The Traditional option provides a broad view of all of the subfields of political science and allows students to pursue specialized electives in their areas of interest.  The  department also offers a political science minor which can be completed with 18 units of coursework.   Special features of the political science major include:  intercollegiate Model United Nations Club; Political Science Club - a chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society;  department-sponsored events such as speakers’ series and career talks by alumni; access to external events such as webinars, visits to the State capitol in Sacramento, to state and federal courts, to local government offices, and to consular offices;  community, advocacy and outreach activities; national and local political campaigns; and internships in the public, private and non-profit sectors.

Preparation

For Advanced Placement course equivalencies, see Undergrad Orientation & Enrollment .

Degree Requirements Unit-Outline

• A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
  • The major requirements consists of 39 units
  • General Education & Graduation Requirements consists of 57 units;
  • Free Electives may consist of 24 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).

Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.

Traditional Political Science Concentration

Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate requirements for graduation, which are described in the Undergrad Baccalaureate & Program Requirements  chapter of this catalog. 

Department Courses Listed by Course Type

Political Science Courses

Department of Political Science

Courses

Political Science

• •  POSC 101 - American Political Institutions Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-D1-2; US-1, US-2
• •  POSC 117 - Environmental Politics Units: 3
• •  POSC 300 - The Study of Political Science Units: 3
• •  POSC 398 - Internship Units: 1-3
• •  POSC 490 - Independent Study Units: 1-3
• •  POSC 495 - Political Internship Units: 1-3
• •  POSC 497 - Issues in Political Science Units: 3
• •  POSC 498 - Internship Units: 1-3
• •  POSC 499 - Capstone Units: 3

Political Science: American Government and Politics

• •  POSC 102 - Public Policy/California Politics Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-D1-2; US-2, US-3
• •  POSC 310 - American Government in Simulation Units: 3
• •  POSC 311 - The American Presidency Units: 3
• •  POSC 312 - United States Congress Units: 3
• •  POSC 314 - State and Local Politics and Government Units: 3
• •  POSC 315 - Bay Area Politics Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 316 - Politics of California Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D, US-2, US-3
• •  POSC 319 - Social Media and Political Communication Units: 3
• •  POSC 330 - Voting and Public Opinion Units: 3
• •  POSC 331 - Political Parties and Campaigning Units: 3
• •  POSC 332 - Yes We Can! Social Movements in the 21st Century Units: 3
• •  POSC 333 - Grab ‘Em by the Politics: Campaign Skills Units: 3
• •  POSC 334 - Interest Groups, Lobbying, and Political Reform Units: 3
• •  POSC 335 - From Suffragettes to #MeToo Units: 3
• •  POSC 336 - This is America: Race Politics Units: 3
• •  POSC 337 - African American Politics Units: 3
• •  POSC 338 - Asian American Politics Units: 3
• •  POSC 339 - LGBTQ Politics Units: 3

Political Science: Comparative Government and Politics

• •  POSC 321 - Political Systems of Western Europe Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 322 - Government and Politics of Eastern and Central Europe Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 323 - Political Systems of Asia Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 324 - Government and Politics in the Middle East Units: 3
• •  POSC 326 - Government and Politics of Africa South of the Sahara Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 327 - Political Systems of Latin America Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 347 - Comparative Law Units: 3

Political Science: International Relations

• •  POSC 350 - World Problems and Global Response Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 351 - International Relations Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 352 - International Security in the 21st Century Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 353 - Politics of the Global Economy Units: 3
• •  POSC 354 - American Foreign Policy Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 355 - The United Nations and World Community Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D

Political Science: Political Theory

• •  POSC 370 - American Political Thought Units: 3
• •  POSC 371 - Greek, Roman and Medieval Political Thought Units: 3
• •  POSC 373 - Contemporary Political Thought Units: 3
• •  POSC 374 - Marxism in Theory and Practice Units: 3

Political Science: Public Law

• •  POSC 340 - Law and Society Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-C
• •  POSC 341 - American Constitutional Law: Government Units: 3
• •  POSC 342 - American Constitutional Law: Rights Units: 3
• •  POSC 343 - Survey of American Law Units: 3
• •  POSC 344 - Environmental Law Units: 3
• •  POSC 345 - International Law Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 377 - Philosophy of Law Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-C; Social Justice

Political Science: Public Policy and Administration

• •  POSC 380 - Public Policy Analysis Units: 3 ;Breadth Area: GE-UD-D; Social Justice
• •  POSC 382 - U.S. Immigration Policy and Law Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D; Diversity
• •  POSC 383 - Labor Policy and Law Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
• •  POSC 411 - Public Policy and the Environment Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Sustainability
• •  POSC 412 - Bureaucratic Politics and Administrative Law Units: 3