Political Science Program
2018-2019
Description
Political science is the study of human behavior as it relates to political situations. It involves the examination of institutions, processes, people, ideas and policies. The study of political science develops critical thinking, cultural literacy, and other skills important for an active and informed citizenry.
The primary objectives of the Political Science program are to meet the American Institutions and general education requirements for associate and baccalaureate degrees.
| Award Type | Units |
|---|---|
| Associate of Arts Degree: | |
| Political Science | 18* |
| Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree: | |
| Political Science | 18 |
*plus credits to satisfy District requirements and elective credits, as needed, to meet the 60 unit minimum.
Program Emphasis
The primary focus is on offering relevant courses that lead to well-developed critical thinking skills, contribute to the development of active, informed citizenry, and that fulfill General Education requirements (AA and transfer level), or lower division preparation for Political Science major requirements at four year institutions.
Career Options
Most careers in political science require education beyond the associate degree and some require a graduate degree. This is not a comprehensive list but some of the most common career options with political science preparation include: public administrator, budget analyst, city planner, diplomatic corps member, elected official, legislative aide, journalist, lawyer, lobbyist, political scientist, public opinion surveyor, teacher and writer.
Students will be assessed through a combination of performance evaluations, written assignments, and written tests and quizzes.
Associate of Arts Degree*
Political Science
Note: Only one Political Science (POLI) course from the above list may be used to satisfy SDCCD general education requirements.
For graduation requirements see Requirements for the Associate Degree.
Electives as needed to meet minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
Recommended Electives: Anthropology 102 , 103 ; Economics 120 , 121 ; Geography 102 , 104 , 154 ; Philosophy 103 , or 104A and 104B ; Political Science 140 , 290 , 296 ; Psychology 155 ; Sociology 101 , 110.
| Courses Required for the Major: | Units | |
| POLI 101 | Introduction to Political Science | 3 |
| POLI 102 | The American Political System | 3 |
| POLI 103 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| HIST 100 | World History I | 3 |
| and | ||
| HIST 101 | World History II or |
3 |
| HIST 105 | Introduction to Western Civilization I and | |
| HIST 106 | Introduction to Western Civilization II | 3 |
| MATH 119 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| Total Units = 18 | ||
Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer Degree
The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer Degree is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in Political Science or a related major in the California State University (CSU) system. It is accepted by some but not all CSU campuses. Students who complete this degree and transfer to a participating CSU campus will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree. It may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus that does not accept the degree.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Political Science Program will be able to:
- Think critically in reading, writing, and/or speaking about topics in Political Science, thereby identifying problems, theses, arguments, evidence and conclusions.
- Write or speak about topics in Political Science, thereby addressing problems, formulating theses, making arguments, analyzing and weighing evidence, and deriving conclusions.
- Demonstrate an ability to understand one’s role in society, take responsibility for one’s own actions, and make ethical decisions in complex situations.
- Articulate similarities and contrasts among cultures, times, and environments, demonstrating an understanding of cultural pluralism.
Students will be assessed through a combination of performance evaluations, written assignments, and written tests and quizzes.
Note: Students who plan to complete this degree should consult a counselor and visit www.assist.org for additional information about participating CSU campuses as well as university admission, degree and transfer requirements.
Award Notes: Students are required to complete a maximum of 60 CSU transferable units with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0.
Major: A minimum of 18 units with grade of C or better.
General Education: In addition to the courses required in the major, students must complete one of the following general education options:
- The California State University General Education Breadth pattern
- The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum pattern
Note: Completion of the California State University American Institutions graduation requirement is strongly recommended prior to transfer.
For graduation requirements see Requirements for the Associate Degree.
Electives as needed to meet minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
| Courses Required for the Major: | Units | |
| POLI 102 | The American Political System | 3 |
| Category A: Select three of the following courses (9 units): | ||
| POLI 101 | Introduction to Political Science | 3 |
| POLI 103 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| MATH 119 | Elementary Statistics or | |
| PSYC 258 | Behavioral Science Statistics | 3 |
| Category B: Select two courses from the following courses or any course not selected in Category A (6 units): | ||
| ACCT 116A | Financial Accounting | 4 |
| ANTH 103 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| BLAS 100 | Introduction to Black Studies | 3 |
| BLAS 116 | Contemporary Social Problems from a Black Perspective | 3 |
| BUSE 140 | Business Law and the Legal Environment | 3 |
| CHIC 110A | Introduction to Chicano Studies | 3 |
| CHIC 110B | Introduction to Chicano Studies | 3 |
| ECON 120 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 121 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ENGL 105 | Composition and Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 205 | Critical Thinking and Intermediate Composition | 3 |
| GEOG 102 | Cultural Geography | 3 |
| HIST 100 | World History I | 3 |
| HIST 101 | World History II | 3 |
| HIST 105 | Introduction to Western Civilization I | 3 |
| HIST 106 | Introduction to Western Civilization II | 3 |
| HIST 109 | History of the United States I | 3 |
| HIST 110 | History of the United States II | 3 |
| HIST 141 | Women in United States History I | 3 |
| HIST 142 | Women in United States History II | 3 |
| HIST 150 | Native Americans in United States History | 3 |
| HIST 151 | Native Americans in United States History | 3 |
| HIST 175 | California History | 3 |
| POLI 140 | Contemporary International Politics | 3 |
| SOCO 101 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| SOCO 110 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3 |
| SOCO 223 | Globalization and Social Change | 3 |
| Total Units = 18 | ||
Transfer Information
Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete courses required for the university major and the general education pattern required by that transfer institution. See catalog TRANSFER INFORMATION section. Additional courses may be required to meet university lower-division requirements.
Course requirements at the transfer institution are subject to change and may be verified by a counselor or by consulting the current university catalog. Many Baccalaureate in Arts degrees require third semester competency in a foreign language. Consult the current catalog of the transfer institution and consult with a counselor.