Units required for Major: 51
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
A unique interdisciplinary program that spans the combined areas of Political Science and Journalism.
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.
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.
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 Internship Course | ||
| 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.
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 (3 Units) | ||
| Area D Course 2 | 0 | |
| 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 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area F Course | 3 | |
| 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) (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
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Political Science and Journalism, BA: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| POLS 1 | Essentials Of Government | 3 |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 30 | News Writing | 3 |
| JOUR 50 |
Media Literacy and Critical Thinking 3 or Media Communication and Society or Media Communication and Society |
3 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice (JOUR 20 recommended) 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 | 1 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 130A | News Reporting I | 3 |
| JOUR 130B | News Reporting II | 3 |
| POLS 180 | California State and Local Government | 3 |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| POLS 120A or POLS 120B |
Constitutional Law 3 or Constitutional Rights and Liberties |
3 |
| POLS 153 |
United States Presidency 3 or Political Parties in America or United States Congress or Interest Groups or Politics, Opinion, and Participation or Campaigns and Elections or Introduction to Urban Politics |
3 |
| JOUR 134 or POLS 134 |
War, Peace and the Mass Media 3 or War, Peace and the Mass Media |
3 |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| POLS 130 |
International Politics 3 or International Organization or United States Foreign Policy |
3 |
| Political Science and Journalism Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| JOUR 135 | Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
| JOUR 153 or COMS 153 |
Journalism Law and Ethics 3 or Journalism Law and Ethics |
3 |
| POLS 170 | Public Policy Development | 3 |
| Political Science and Journalism Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 195 | Internship In Journalism | 1 - 6 |
| Political Science and Journalism Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 13-18 | |
| Total Units | 118-123 | |
Political Science and Journalism, BA: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| JOUR 130A | News Reporting I | 3 |
| JOUR 130B | News Reporting II | 3 |
| JOUR 134 or POLS 134 |
War, Peace and the Mass Media 3 or War, Peace and the Mass Media |
3 |
| Political Science and Journalism Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 153 or COMS 153 |
Journalism Law and Ethics 3 or Journalism Law and Ethics |
3 |
| POLS 180 | California State and Local Government | 3 |
| Political Science and Journalism Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| JOUR 135 | Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
| POLS 153 |
United States Presidency 3 or Political Parties in America or United States Congress or Interest Groups or Politics, Opinion, and Participation or Campaigns and Elections or Introduction to Urban Politics |
3 |
| POLS 170 | Public Policy Development | 3 |
| Political Science and Journalism Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| JOUR 195 | Internship In Journalism 3 | 1 - 6 |
| POLS 120A or POLS 120B |
Constitutional Law 3 or Constitutional Rights and Liberties |
3 |
| POLS 130 |
International Politics 3 or International Organization or United States Foreign Policy |
3 |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 13-18 | |
| Total Units | 60-65 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.