BA in Political Science
Units required for Major: 42
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
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 Political Science-Journalism, and the minor in Political Science. The Political Science major is structured to provide students with a comprehensive 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 Studies.
The department emphasizes its expectation that students seek faculty advice when planning their program. Students may ask any faculty member's assistance initially. As specific interests are developed, students may wish to seek the advice of faculty sharing their interests.
Note: Although it is not a requirement of the major, the department strongly recommends that students take an introductory statistics course as part of their undergraduate work. A course in statistics may be used to satisfy the GE requirement in mathematics.
Minimum GPA Requirement
Students are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in the Major.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (3 Units) | ||
| POLS 1 | Essentials Of Government 1,2 | 3 |
| Required Upper Division Courses (18 Units) 3 | ||
| POLS 100 | Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science | 3 |
| POLS 110 | Political Thought I | 3 |
| or POLS 111 | Political Thought II | |
| or POLS 112 | Current Political Thought | |
| POLS 120A | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| or POLS 120B | Constitutional Rights and Liberties | |
| POLS 130 | International Politics | 3 |
| POLS 140 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLS 170 | Public Policy Development 4 | 3 |
| Electives (21 Units) | ||
| Select 21 units 5 | 21 | |
| Total Units | 42 | |
- 1
POLS 150 or a score of 3 or higher on the AP American Government Exam may be used in place of POLS 1 to satisfy the requirement.
- 2
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
- 3
The Department recommends students take no more than two of these required courses a semester.
- 4
POLS 170 should be taken in the final year of a student's undergraduate work.
- 5
18 of the 21 elective units must be upper division even though all 21 required elective units may be satisfied with upper division courses. POLS 10 and POLS 35 may be taken to fulfill 3 lower division units of the elective requirement.
Select courses from the following Fields below. A seminar and/or internship is strongly recommended.
- Political Theory
- Public Law and Judicial Studies
- International and Comparative Politics
- American Governments, Politics and Policy
These courses must be selected in consultation with an advisor from the Political Science Department.
Notes:
- POLS 150 may not be counted as an elective toward the major, but may be used in place of POLS 1 or as its equivalent as a prerequisite;
- Students may take a maximum of 6 units of a POLS 195 (Internship) within the major, but may use no more than 3 of those units to complete the 36 units of required upper division work.
- Students should be aware that the Department offers a concentration in International Relations that is distinct from a field emphasis within the major. See complete International Relations Concentration description.
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 (10 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. 2 | 0 | |
| 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 | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 0 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies | ||
| Area F Course | ||
| Total Units | 40 | |
- 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) (6 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government 2 | 0 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) | 3 | |
| 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