BA in Political Science and Journalism
Units required for Major: 51
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
The Sacramento State Journalism program provides both a general academic experience and professional preparation. Sacramento's program emphasizes writing, editing, writing for interactive media, and other courses necessary to prepare students for success in media-related jobs; it also includes courses that critically examine media as an institution.
Journalism majors are the core of students who write for The State Hornet a weekly newspaper with a website updated daily at www.statehornet.com.
A student at Sacramento State may major either in Journalism or in Government-Journalism. A minor in Journalism is valuable to the student entering a career field in which journalism plays a role.
The Journalism graduate who wants to work for a newspaper should expect to serve an apprenticeship with a small newspaper before moving up to a metropolitan daily. Journalism graduates also work as magazine editors and writers, as publications employees in government agencies and associations, in broadcast journalism, and in public affairs.
Minimum Grade Requirement
Majors must complete each required lower and upper division Journalism course with a grade of "C-" or better.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (9 Units) | ||
| POLS 1 | Essentials Of Government 1,2 | 3 |
| JOUR 30 | News Writing | 3 |
| JOUR/COMS 55 | Media Communication and Society | 3 |
| or JOUR 50 | Media Literacy and Critical Thinking | |
| Required Upper Division Courses (33 Units) | ||
| Political Science | ||
| POLS 170 | Public Policy Development | 3 |
| POLS 180 | California State and Local Government 2 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| United States Presidency | ||
| Political Parties in America | ||
| United States Congress | ||
| Interest Groups | ||
| Politics, Opinion, and Participation | ||
| Campaigns and Elections | ||
| Introduction to Urban Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Constitutional Rights and Liberties | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| International Politics | ||
| International Organization | ||
| United States Foreign Policy | ||
| Journalism | ||
| JOUR 130A | News Reporting I | 3 |
| JOUR 130B | News Reporting II | 3 |
| JOUR/POLS 134 | War, Peace and the Mass Media 2 | 3 |
| JOUR 135 | Public Affairs Reporting 2 | 3 |
| JOUR/COMS 153 | Journalism Law and Ethics | 3 |
| Internship | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
POLS 195 series | ||
| Internship In Journalism | ||
| Electives (9 Units) | ||
| Select 6 units of upper division courses in Political Science 3 | 6 | |
| Select one upper division course in Journalism | 3 | |
| Total Units | 51 | |
- 1
If a student has not taken POLS 1 or its equivalent, then POLS 150 may be used in place of POLS 1 or as its equivalent as a prerequisite.
- 2
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
- 3
The Department of Political Science particularly recommends at least one course in political theory.
Note: POLS 150 may not be used as an elective.
Note: Political Science and Journalism majors should have both an advisor in the Political Science Department and a Journalism Advisor in the Communication Studies Department.
The University's association with the Washington Center makes it possible for California State University, Sacramento students to undertake an internship in Washington, D.C. There are many opportunities for Government-Journalism majors to do an internship to meet their unique interests through this program.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science | 3 | |
| B2 - Life Forms | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) | 1 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts | 3 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (6 Units) | ||
| Area D Course 2 | 0 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 2 | 0 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Total Units | 43 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (3 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government 2 | 0 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) 2 | 0 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 3 | 6 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies Graduation Requirement.
- 3
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html