Political Science

College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

Program Description

Political Science is devoted to study of the theory and practice of government and politics. The Political Science Department at Sacramento State offers courses in several fields of study, including: Political Theory; American Politics; Public Law; International Relations; Comparative Politics; and Public Policy. Over 70 courses cover all the major aspects of political science. Lower division courses satisfy General Education requirements and help to prepare students for advanced work.

The Political Science major complements a student's liberal arts education with an emphasis on understanding the theoretical and practical aspects of government and politics. The department offers a BA in Political Science, a BA in International Relations, a BA in Political Science-Journalism, and the minor in Political Science. Our majors are structured to provide students with a background in the basic fields of political science, as well as to permit them a range of choice in completing the program. The Political Science Department offers several courses integral to interdisciplinary programs such as California Studies, Environmental Studies, Ethnic Studies,  Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

Students should select a faculty advisor who shares the student's academic interests. For students who wish to pursue graduate work in Political Science, a Master of Arts degree is offered.

Degree Programs

BA in International Relations

BA in Political Science

BA in Political Science and Journalism

Minor in Political Science

MA in Political Science (California and its Political Environment)

MA in Political Science (International Relations/Comparative Government)

MA in Political Science (Political Theory)

Capital Fellows Certificate in Applied Policy and Government

Special Features

  • Located in the state capital, the Sacramento State program offers unusual opportunities for the study of government and politics and especially for internships. Students have served internships with state legislators, legislative committee staffs, special interest and lobbying groups, and administrative agencies. Placement is also possible in local government executive agencies and with county supervisors, city council members, and selected political campaigns. Students applying for internships should have had (or be taking in the same semester) POLS 180, California State and Local Government, and must have passed the Writing Placement for Juniors Examination.
  • Sacramento State students may apply for the Sacramento Semester Program, which brings students from all California State University campuses to Sacramento for one semester to take advantage of the unique learning experience at the State Capitol. The heart of this program is six units of internship with the legislature or other state offices. An accompanying 6 unit seminar course in state government and politics allows students to integrate their practical internship experience with academic work.
  • Students who work in the day will be interested to know that class scheduling permits completion of the general Government major in the late afternoon and evening hours.

Career Possibilities

Government majors enter careers in government at the local, state, or federal level, political campaigns, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, lobbying, urban planning, or policy-related fields of all kinds. Others go into teaching at all levels, journalism, business, and Government, of course, is a popular major for students interested in pursuing legal careers. Examples of possible careers include: policy analyst, specialist in legislative and governmental relations, budget analyst, campaign manager, Foreign Service officer, attorney, paralegal, high school teacher.

Contact Information

James Cox, Department Chair
Julie Cahill, Administrative Support Coordinator
Tahoe Hall 3104
(916) 278-6202
www.csus.edu/govt/

Faculty

ANDERSEN-RODGERS, DAVID R.

BLAIN, HARRY P.A.

BROWN, MARK B.

CANNON, PATRICK G.

COX, JAMES H.

DAILY, ANNA

DAVIES, PETER

DiSARRO, BRIAN S.

HERTZOFF, ANDREW S.

HUSSEY, WESLEY A.

JACKSON, JAIME A.

LAPP, NANCY D.

LEE, YOUNG-IM

MARTIN, DANIELLE J.

NALDER, KIMBERLY L.

RAE, JAMES DeSHAW

RAZAVI, SAHAR

SAMPANIS, MARIA

SNYDER, BRUCE

TOWLER, CHRIS

TUTSCHKA, MONICKA B.

VICTOR, KRISTINA