POLS 1.     Essentials Of Government. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D, U.S. Constitution + California State & Local Govt

Term Typically Offered: F_S_S_W

Examines the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. system of governments and the ideas and values on which they are based. Fulfills state code requirements for U.S. Constitution and California State and Local Government. Students who believe they have a good fundamental knowledge of the institutions of American Government are encouraged to consider a designated upper division course to fulfill the state requirement.

POLS 1H.     Honors Government. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: U.S. Constitution + California State & Local Govt, GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Explores some of the most influential works of politics and political writing in American history, and challenges contemporary analysis of political institutions and processes. Examines the structure of the Constitution, issues of federalism, the growth of civil rights, and the processes of government, with a comparative element. Explores the unique characteristics of California state politics.

POLS 10.     The Meaning of Government: An Introduction to Political Ideas. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Humanities (Area C2)

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Examination of the ideas of various authors about governing and being governed. Topics include: the scope and limits of freedom, the causes and characteristics of the state, the content of politics, the nature of authority, the problems of power and the duty to obey.

POLS 21.     First Year Seminar: Becoming an Educated Person. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Understanding Personal Development (E)

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Introduction to the meaning of higher education, the resources of the University, and skills for lifelong learning. Designed to help students develop academic success strategies, and to improve information literacy, intercultural competence, and integrative thinking. Provides students with the opportunity to interact with fellow students and seminar faculty to build a community of academic and personal support. Units may not be applied toward Political Science, International Relations, or Political Science-Journalism majors, or Political Science minor.

POLS 35.     World Politics. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Basic introduction to global politics focusing on a broad range of issues and problems relating to conflict and cooperation among nations, and on similarities and differences among nations' governmental institutions, structures and processes.

POLS 96.     California Constitution & Government. 1 Unit

Prerequisite(s): Instructor approval required.

Examines the California state constitution, the structure and role played by both the state government and local governments in California. Students who pass the course will petition the Dean of Undergraduate Studies for credit in meeting the California Government portion of the American Institution requirement.

Note: Experimental course.

Credit/No Credit

POLS 100.     Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines the foundations of scientific research methodology in political and social science. Designed to introduce students to the basic conceptual, observational and analytical methods of empirical research in political science and related social sciences.

POLS 102.     Quantitative Reasoning in Political Science. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Upper Division Further Studies in Area B5, Further Studies in Area B (B5)

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Exploration and applications of analytical reasoning to topics and issues in political science. Focuses on the quantitative aspects of political behavior, interactions, and institutions. Topics may include electoral systems, rational choice, models of voting, polling, redistricting, and game theory.

POLS 110.     Political Thought I. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

History of political theory, covering some important thinkers and topics during the Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern periods.

POLS 111.     Political Thought II. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

History of political theory, covering some important thinkers and topics from the Early Modern period to the early 20th century.

POLS 112.     Current Political Thought. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Current issues in political thought, with emphasis upon developments in the political philosophies of democracy, fascism, communism, conservatism, liberalism. Ideas are analyzed with reference to assumptions on which they are based and their relevance for political institutions and problems.

POLS 113.     American Political Thought. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D, U.S. Constitution + California State & Local Govt

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Assessment of ideas that are central to the development of an American political tradition, as those ideas influence government at the federal, state and local levels. Meets the state requirements in U.S. Constitution and California State and Local Government.

POLS 114.     Feminist Political Thought. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Introduces students to current and recent feminist political thought. Analyzes ideas and practices central to political institutions, public policy, and both elite and citizen-led political action through multiple feminist political lenses. Topics may include political ideologies, principles and design of government, special interest campaigns, and organizing tactics of feminist identified political groups.

POLS 115.     Democratic Theory. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Introduction to basic questions of democracy. Draws on classical and contemporary writings to explore what democracy means and various forms of democratic government, politics, and culture: direct, representative, liberal, republican, pluralist, elitist. Specific topics may include: definitions of democracy, justifications for democracy, arguments for increasing or limiting democratic participation, tasks of political representatives, democratization of social institutions, and the relationship between globalization and democracy.

POLS 117.     Black Political Thought. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Systematically and analytically introduces the predominant political trends and concepts presently entertained and harbored in the Black Community. A necessary adjunct to this dialogue is the racist theme in American society since on balance this is the matrix out of which the political alternatives and concepts grew.

Cross Listed: ETHN 117; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 118.     Just War, Natural Right, and the Law of Nations. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Examines fundamental conceptual questions about morality, law, and international relations through great works of political theory. Topics will cover natural right, sovereignty, just war, imperialism, national security, and international obligations. Authors read will include Thucydides, Aristotle, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Grotius, Montesquieu, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Mill and Nietzsche.

POLS 119A.     Socialism Marxism-Communism. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Analyzes the basic writings and ideas of Socialist and Marxist writers and the implications of their ideas.

POLS 119B.     Greek Political Thought. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Study of the political thought of Greece from Homer to Demosthenes, including Plato, Thucydides, Sophocles, and other Greek thinkers. Topics include the birth of democracy, the sciences and philosophy, Athens' rise to prominence, its defense of freedom against Persia, and its own development of an empire. Examination of Greek thoughts about justice, authority, freedom, equality, and culture. The events that shaped ideas and ideas that shaped events, as well as our understanding of the modern world, will be covered.

POLS 119D.     Shaping of the Modern World. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

This course examines major problems that have shaped the modern world, the historical and intellectual roots of the modern world, and debates over the meaning of modernity. Considers how both advocates and critics of modernity have understood the relation of history, philosophy, politics, nature, religion, economics, and other key concepts. Specific topics may include: the development of modern science, technological progress, democratic institutions, capitalism, colonialism, secularization, religious tolerance, and individual freedom.

POLS 120A.     Constitutional Law. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Basic junior level course in Public Law. A study of leading decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court and other materials pertaining to the power of Congress, the President and the Judiciary; relations between states and nation; and civil rights. Considers such topics as the separation of powers, judicial review, Congress, and the President.

POLS 120B.     Constitutional Rights and Liberties. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Basic junior level course in Public Law. A study of rights and immunities under the U.S. Constitution: examines leading decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court and other materials pertaining to freedom of expression, freedom of association, equality and due process of law.

POLS 121.     American Legal History. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Examines the interaction of law, society, and politics in America from the colonial period to the present with special emphasis on law as an arena of social and cultural conflict. Major topics include the development of the common law in early America; the law of slavery and its impact on constitutional development; the role of the law in defining controversies over race and gender; legal thought and education; and the role of the Supreme Court in 20th Century America.

Cross Listed: HIST 180; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 122.     The Law and Bureaucracy. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

Term Typically Offered: Not offered

Examines constitutional and statutory limits of bureaucratic power in the American political system.

POLS 123.     Elements Of Law. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Current legal thought in the U.S. with special emphasis on the relationship of law to history, economics, anthropology, and government; the nature of law; the role of legislators, lawyers, and judges in making the legal system.

POLS 126.     Politics and Lawyers. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines and analyzes the pervasiveness of lawyers and their activities in political realities; what do lawyers do; politics of prosecution and defense; politics within the profession; professional mobility; politics of the judiciary; lawyers in government.

POLS 127.     International Law. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

This course links both theoretical and practical aspects of international law and international relations, from the traditional law of nations to individual subjects, jurisdictions, and immunities. The course surveys topics such as genocide, human rights, immigration, the use of force, international courts and tribunals, the environment, and the law of the sea, using illustrative court cases, treaties, and customs that establish important precedents in international law.

POLS 128.     Environment and the Law. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Introduction to environmental law, including: the evolution of environmental legislation, environmental issues in the court system, environmental regulation and administrative law and environmental torts. Emphasis is on understanding legal process and the special challenges environmental problems present to the legal system.

Cross Listed: ENVS 128; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 130.     International Politics. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Basic junior-level course in International Relations. Current international tensions; the motivating forces influencing world politics; and the role of diplomacy and international organizations in resolving conflicts.

POLS 131.     International Organization. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Examines human efforts to create supranational organizations to promote world peace and prosperity. The focus will be on social, political, and economic activities and problems which have developed and proliferated since the end of the second World War.

POLS 132.     War and Peace in the Nuclear Age. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Not offered

Covers the discovery of atomic fission, the development of the atomic bomb and the evolution of U.S. nuclear weapons and strategy from 1945 to the present. It examines political, strategic, bureaucratic, economic and cultural forces that have shaped U.S. nuclear policy since Hiroshima. The problem of international security in the Nuclear Age is also addressed.

POLS 133.     American Defense and National Security. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Analyzes U.S. security policy, looking at the structure and ideologies of the security system, the requirements of national defense, and the roles played by conventional and nuclear weapons in protecting and promoting American security.

POLS 134.     War, Peace and the Mass Media. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Spring, Summer

Concerned with the relationship of mass media to war and the possibilities for peace, with emphasis on recent concepts of political communication.

Cross Listed: JOUR 134; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 135.     United States Foreign Policy. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Institutions, practices and development of United States foreign policy; the interaction of domestic and foreign factors on the formulating of United States foreign policy since World War II.

POLS 136.     International Political Economy. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Analyzes the interaction between politics and economics at the international level. Covers basic theoretical approaches; historical evolution of international economy; creation and role of international financial institutions; development issues; globalization and integration.

POLS 137.     Nationalism. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 35 or GOVT 130 or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Focuses on major theories of nationalism. Examines the literature dealing with theories explaining the emergence of nationalism and its political consequences; develops a comprehensive set of empirical indicators of nationalism, together with several working hypotheses regarding political manifestations of nationalism; provides the analytic frame for understanding nationalism; and applies theories to explain political behaviors of nations.

POLS 138.     UN Simulation. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Junior or higher level. Minimum of 3.0 overall GPA.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Advanced seminar experience for students interested in international organizations, global issues, and participating in Model United Nations simulations. Examines the history and function of the United Nations. Conduct in-depth research of selected international topics. Develop skills necessary to represent countries or organizations.

Note: This course may be repeated up to nine units.

POLS 138B.     UN Simulation Practicum. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): POLS 138. instructor permission only.

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Practicum experience for role-playing in a UN simulation. Students will prepare for a national intercollegiate model UN conference, practicing persuasion and negotiation tactics and skills in a debating format.

Note: The course may be repeated with instructor permission up to a total of six units.

Credit/No Credit

POLS 139A.     Globalization. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): An upper division course in the field and/or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall only – odd years

Explores the nature of, and issues in, globalization. It does so in five parts. Part I examines alternative conceptions of globalization. Part II identifies and examines the primary forms of economic globalization. Part III considers globalization's effects on the territorial state, the welfare state, organized violence, culture, immigration, gender, and the environment. Part IV investigates the politics of the anti-globalization backlash. Part V concludes with an assessment of the shape and future of contemporary globalization.

POLS 139B.     International Politics and International Development. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 130 or Instructor Permission

Term Typically Offered: Fall only – even years

This course examines the origins and evolution of the theory and practice of international development; considers the meaning of international development; examines theoretical models and approaches to understanding the conditions, effects, and processes of international development. It explores the history and current state of theories and approaches to international development and addresses contemporary and essential issues in the field.

POLS 139C.     Critical Writings in International Relations. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): POLS 130

Term Typically Offered: Fall only – odd years

This undergraduate seminar examines writings and other materials that analyze how race and racism, class and economic exploitation, gender and patriarchy, and intersectionality have influenced the theory and practice of international relations from the sixteenth through the twenty-first centuries.

POLS 139E.     International Conflict and Ethnicity. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course examines the role of ethnicity or identity in violent and nonviolent international conflicts. This course traces the dynamics of violent and nonviolent conflicts around the globe from a comparative approach, and unpacks the role identity plays in the mobilization, strategies, and responses of the international community to these conflicts.

POLS 139G.     Intelligence and Espionage. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Involves students in the study of the field of intelligence, as it relates to national security, foreign policy, law and ethics. Comparative analysis of the practice and experience of the U.S., the former Soviet Union and other nations will be emphasized.

POLS 139S.     Topics in Human Security. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

This course introduces students to the broad field of the study of human security and many essential current topics in that field, such as access to food and water, security against personal violence, and economic security. Students will examine how international forces and structural elements of society can endanger or ensure the security of groups and individuals within the borders of nation-states. Students will learn to research, analyze, and address the connections between international forces and their affects upon human beings around the world.

POLS 140.     Comparative Politics. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Survey of the field of comparative government and politics including a review of historic uses of comparison in political science research but with emphasis on the methods of study and analytical means of research currently employed. The subject matter of study: national political systems of all types and the component parts of political systems will be an integral feature.

POLS 141.     Politics of the African Diaspora. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D, Race & Ethnicity Graduation Requirement (RE)

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Examines the social, political, cultural, and economic factors which have been important to the African diaspora. Examines how African people have responded to those factors, both in terms of formal, political thought, and in terms of political movements and political institutions. Examines thought and practice, comparability to Africa, U.S., Caribbean, Central and South America.

Cross Listed: ETHN 141; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 142.     Government and Politics in Africa. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Spring only – even years

Deals with the politics and governments of Africa. The most important themes concern precolonial African systems, colonialism, nationalism and nation-building. Previous exposure to African Studies is desired but not required.

POLS 143.     Causes of War, Causes of Peace. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Explores the entire conflict process associated with war from a variety of theoretical and methodological angles, including rationalist and behavioral models. Examines the concept of war and why wars begin. Looks at how violent international conflict is resolved. Investigates the role of the international community in the management of violent conflict, how peace processes are implemented, what leads to successful negotiations, and how war crimes and post-conflict reconciliation issues are resolved.

POLS 144.     European Politics. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Study of national and regional politics, governmental institutions and public problems in Europe since 1945. In different semesters there may be investigation of several, but varying, national systems, of cross-national political behavior, or of regional integration processes. May be taken more than once if there are different topics and instructor permission.

POLS 145.     Asian Politics. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Survey of governmental institutions and political processes in East and Southeast Asia. Focuses on the region's politics, dynamic economic growth, complex security context, resurgence of nationalism, and attempts to build multilateral institutions.

POLS 146.     US-China Relations. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Humanities (Area C2)

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

This course explores the historical foundation of US-China relations, tracing from 19th century encounters through world wars, ideological confrontation, rapprochement, and into the contemporary era. Focus on international and political dimension of diplomatic and strategic interests, also explores cultural and social connections through trade, investment, migration, and tourism.

Cross-listed: ASIA 146.

POLS 147.     Latin American Government and Politics. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Two-part examination of government, politics, political change and political groups in Latin America. Part one examines the development of government, politics, political change and political groups. Part two presents national case studies.

POLS 148.     Governments and Politics in the Middle East. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Survey of the governmental institutions and the political processes in the region, with emphasis on the problems of social change. Focuses on the colonial situation, the growth of nationalism, the revolution of rising expectations, Islamic political theory and its contemporary manifestations, the role of the military, and the current regional conflicts.

POLS 149A.     Original Research in Comparative Politics. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70 or 71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X. POLS or IR majors or instructor consent only.

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Writing Intensive Graduation Requirement (WI)

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Students will engage in a cross-national research agenda. Students will conduct original research in comparative politics. Countries and topics acceptable for comparison will vary with instructor.

POLS 149R.     Comparative Revolutions. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course is primarily concerned with the causes, trajectories, and consequences of major revolutions and revolutionary movements of the 20th and 21st centuries. The course addresses the questions: what defines a revolution? What are the causes of revolutionary social change? Why do some revolutions fail to achieve their intended objectives and others succeed? How can political scientists investigate the possibility of objectively assessing revolutionary success or failure?

POLS 150.     American Governments. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D, U.S. Constitution + California State & Local Govt

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Federal system of government; the U.S. Constitution; legislative, executive, and judicial processes; political parties, interest groups, and the relationships and obligations of citizens to their government(s). Fulfills the California state graduation and credential requirements for U.S. Constitution and California State and Local Government. May be substituted for GOVT 1, but may not be used as an elective toward the major.

POLS 151.     Bureaucracy. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

Term Typically Offered: Not offered

Evaluation of the role and background of a professionalized bureaucracy with references to American national, state and local administrative systems as well as non-American administrative systems.

POLS 152.     Political Psychology. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines the ways in which political behavior is shaped by individual beliefs, personalities, cognitive patters, biases, and other psychological mechanisms. Students will engage with a wide range of research on topics such as cognitive styles, personality, obedience, psychological roots of terrorism, the psychology of ideology, and the role of emotion in politics.

Cross Listed: PSYC 153

POLS 153.     United States Presidency. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Examines the development of the Presidency as an institution; sources and uses of presidential power in contemporary politics; the President's relationship with Congress and the bureaucracy; and current issues relating to the office.

POLS 154.     Political Parties in America. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examination and analysis of American political parties. An exploration of the nature and functions of political parties including party organization, electorate, and government. Topics include the various historical party systems, the two-party system, elections, and campaign financing. Includes discussion of the presidential nominating process.

POLS 155.     United States Congress. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Analysis of the historical, political, and institutional factors which influence Congress in the United States. Explores the historical development and organization of the institution, the role of leadership and political parties, chamber differences, congressional elections, and the relationship with the executive branch. Examines the legislative process. Evaluates the nature of representation in contemporary society.

POLS 156.     Interest Groups. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only – odd years

Examination and analysis of interest groups in American political systems. The nature, role, formation, organization and activities of interest groups; how interest groups influence the public, political campaigns, public policy-making, and policy implementation. Representative interest groups will be studied.

POLS 157.     Politics, Opinion, and Participation. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

How we learn and change our political beliefs, including the influence of media, religion and social standing. The various forms of political participation; who participates and who doesn't and why. The meaning and conduct of elections in the modern era.

POLS 158.     Mass Media and American Politics. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Focuses on the role the mass media plays in the political life of our democracy. Five primary topics are covered: the proper media role in a democracy; the relationship between the media, public opinion and agenda setting; the effects of media coverage on campaigns, elections, and voting; how elected officials influence and "spin" coverage; and the impact of media on policy-making. Students will develop critical analysis skills and emerge as more savvy media consumers and citizens.

POLS 159A.     Campaigns and Elections. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only – even years

Exploration of American campaigns and elections. Topics include the electoral process, voting behavior, the role of political parties, the media, interest groups, and candidate and campaign strategies. Focus will be on contemporary/current campaigns and elections.

POLS 159B.     American Politics Seminar: Problems in Democratic Institutions. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Not offered

Examines the concept of representation and how it functions in the U.S. Congress and in state legislatures. In the first section different meanings of representation are discussed. In the second section interactions between legislators and their constituents are explored. Finally, the tradeoffs to different designs of representative institutions are studied.

POLS 159D.     Politics, Immigration, and Citizenship. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course will provide an overview of the political discussions and decisions related to immigration and citizenship in the US. More specifically, this course examines: (1) key political and policy actors in the development of immigrant admissions and immigrant integration policies, (2) the nature and consequences of immigration at the national, state, and local levels, (3) evolving racial and ethnic relations in the US, (4) public opinion and immigration-immigrants participation in American political life, and (5) contemporary issues.

POLS 162.     American Film and Culture in the Nuclear Age. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Explores the impact of the revolutionary change represented by the atomic bomb on forms of cultural response and expression in America. Attempts to analyze the bomb-culture relationship by reviewing important films, television programs, novels, essays, music and poetry that revealed, and helped shape, the hopes and anxieties that have characterized life in the nuclear age.

POLS 163.     Introduction to Black Politics in the U.S.. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Race & Ethnicity Graduation Requirement (RE), GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Examines historically and currently the political life of black people in the U.S. Emphasis on understanding underlying conditions.

POLS 164.     History of American Capitalism. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Traces the development of the relationship between business and government in the U.S., especially in relation to state and federal regulations of those industries. Examines how individual entrepreneurs and regulators have contributed to the development of the modern American political economy.

Cross Listed: HIST 164; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 165.     Politics of the Underrepresented.  3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150; and GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70 or 71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X.

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Writing Intensive Graduation Requirement (WI), GE AREA D, Race & Ethnicity Graduation Requirement (RE)

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Examines the phenomenon of political underrepresentation in the U.S.A. It will identify significant affected groupings, examine the conditions which have resulted in such underrepresentation, evaluate the effects of underrepresentation on the lives of affected groups, and consider relevant political strategies. Emphasis on particular groups may vary with instructor.

POLS 166.     Gender and Politics. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

This course examines the influence of socially constructed meanings of femininity and masculinity on the political participation of women, candidate selection, election campaigns, and electoral outcomes in executive and legislative offices in the U.S. and worldwide. Students will develop a rich understanding of the relationship between gender and women's political representation and analyze and discuss institutional, structural, cultural, and historical conditions associated with women's voting behavior, political advancement, leadership styles, and impacts of political representation on women.

POLS 167.     American Political Development. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Focuses on key transformative sequences in American political history and their consequences. Topics include the nature of American political culture and its role in shaping U.S. political institutions and public policy; the process of government growth or "state building"; the role of political institutions in channeling societal demands and influencing public policy; the nature of American party systems or "regimes" and the electoral "realignments" that link them; and connections between long-term economic and political cycles.

POLS 168.     LGBTQ Politics. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course provides an in-depth examination of the politics and history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities in the United States. Particular emphasis will be placed on current American political issues impacting the LGBTQ community.

POLS 169A.     Science, Technology, and Politics. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Social and political dimensions of science and technology. Examines how science and technology both shape politics and are shaped by politics. Considers the role of scientific advisors in government and society; dilemmas of expert authority and bias; relations between experts and non-experts; science and technology in popular culture; science and technology policy; implications of emerging technologies such as genetic engineering and the Internet for civil rights, moral values, and democracy.

POLS 169D.     Latino/a Politics. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Systematically and analytically examines the predominant political trends, concepts, and policies presently impacting Latino/a communities. Includes such topics as an examination of Latino/a identity, immigration and citizenship, political organization and participation, and relationships with other minority groups in the United States.

POLS 170.     Public Policy Development. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): POLS 1 or POLS 150 or a score of 3 or higher on AP United States Government and Politics exam. Pre-requisite(s): ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W or WPJ Portfolio Score of 1-5

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines the policy development process in the U.S. by exploring the ideological predispositions of the American public, the analytical approaches applied to policy development and assessment, and the institutional and political environment in which policy is made. Typically, the understanding derived from this examination is applied to several policy issues of current interest.

POLS 171.     Environmental Politics and Policy. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Politics of human interaction with land, air and water. Political analysis of agenda setting, policy formation and administration (national, state, and local) of environmental programs. Focus on contemporary issues such as energy alternatives, management of toxics, land development, and pollution control.

Cross Listed: ENVS 171; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 180.     California State and Local Government. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: California State & Local Government, GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

California state, city and county politics and government. Comparisons with governments in other states. Meets State requirements in California State and Local Governments. Permits students who have fulfilled U.S. Constitution requirement in another state to meet graduation requirements for California State and Local Governments.

POLS 181.     Comparative State Government. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150.

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Examines the political diversity of the fifty states, with special attention paid to variations in state governing institutions. Topics covered include legislatures, governors, judiciaries, political parties, interest groups, elections, direct democracy, and state budget procedures.

POLS 182A.     Sem Calif Govt+Politics. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Open to selected students from each of the 20 CSU campuses, the Sacramento Semester program provides students with an opportunity to spend the semester studying and working directly in California State government. Participating students work as interns at the State Capitol for 25 or more hours each week. Interns are placed in legislators' offices, with legislative committees, party caucuses, lobbyists and interest groups, or in various executive, administrative, and judicial agencies. In addition to the internships, students participate in an academic seminar, California Government and Politics. The seminars frequently include as resource persons individuals who work in key policy-making positions in the state government.

POLS 182B.     Sem Calif Govt+Politics. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Open to selected students from each of the 20 CSU campuses, the Sacramento Semester program provides students with an opportunity to spend the semester studying and working directly in California State government. Participating students work as interns at the State Capitol for 25 or more hours each week. Interns are placed in legislators' offices, with legislative committees, party caucuses, lobbyists and interest groups, or in various executive, administrative, and judicial agencies. In addition to the internships, students participate in an academic seminar, California Government and Politics. The seminars frequently include as resource persons individuals who work in key policy-making positions in the state government.

POLS 184.     Introduction to Urban Politics. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or GOVT 150

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Problems of urban areas and proposed solutions; politics and government. May be offered as lecture-discussion class or as a seminar. Field study may be required.

POLS 195A.     Internship. 1 - 6 Units

Prerequisite(s): GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a C- in ENGL 109 M/W. Minimum GPA of 2.5 (both in the major and overall).

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Credit/No Credit

POLS 195B.     Internship Sacramento Semester. 1 - 6 Units

Prerequisite(s): Minimum GPA of 2.5 (both in the major and overall).

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Credit/No Credit

POLS 195D.     Internship - Washington DC. 6 Units

Prerequisite(s): GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a C- in ENGL 109 M/W.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Credit/No Credit

POLS 198A.     Odyssey Peer Advisers. 1 - 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Provides individualized learning opportunities (1-3 units per semester) for engaging in peer advising along with elective activities such as tutoring, assisting faculty with research, event planning and other activities of a comparable nature. Students should be upper division students or graduate students. The units may not be applied towards unit requirement of the Government major, Government IR and Government/Journalism.

Note: This course may be repeated up to a total of six units.

Credit/No Credit

POLS 198B.     Peer Advising by Odyssey. 1 Unit

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Provides opportunity for lower division students, students on probation, and newly declared majors to be mentored by more advanced upper division students or graduate students. This peer advising will help students meet academic deadlines, achieve academic success, become engaged in campus activities and integrated into the Government Department. Units may not be applied towards unit requirement of the Government major, Government IR and Government/Journalism

Note: This course may be repeated one time only for unit credit.

Credit/No Credit

POLS 199.     Independent Studies. 1 - 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GOVT 1 or equivalent, and nine units upper division government courses.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Permits a student to pursue study and research in an area not otherwise available through the regular curriculum. Open only to upper division Government majors with at least a 3.0 GPA in the major.

Credit/No Credit

POLS 200.     Method and Scope in Political Science. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): STAT 1 or its equivalent.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Introduction to the philosophy of science, and the scope and methods of empirical research in political, social and policy science. In the area of philosophy of science, focuses on the logic of scientific inquiry, theory testing and confirmation and causal explanation. In the area of scope and methods, critically examines the scientific merits of several competing approaches to the study of politics and policy, as well as some of the major methodological controversies and debates in the literature.

POLS 201.     Writing in Political Science. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

A graduate-level seminar which introduces students to the research and literature in major fields in political science. Explores the norms of writing across the political science discipline, including for example: formal academic writing, policy writing, persuasive advocacy writing, methodological writing, and peer review. Broadly examines the literature from International Relations, Comparative Politics, American Politics, Political Theory, and Methods.

POLS 210.     Political Theory. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): An upper division course in the field and/or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Historical and social roots, democratic or authoritarian ideologies; the conflict of ideologies; philosophic approaches.

Note: May be repeated for credit with permission of Graduate Coordinator.

POLS 213.     Special Topics in American Political Thought. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

A class examining the historical and philosophical discourse in America on central topics of debate, such as the meaning of citizenship, civil society, democracy, federalism, religion, and civil rights open to both advanced undergraduates and graduate students.

Note: Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to have completed GOVT 113 or an equivalent course.

POLS 218.     Special Topics in International Political Thought. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

A class examining the philosophical underpinnings and the theatrical problems of central concepts and problems in international relations, including human rights, intercultural dialogue, problems of just war and international justice through a study of historical and contemporary texts open to both advanced undergraduates and graduate students.

Note: Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to have completed GOVT 118 or an equivalent course.

POLS 219.     Specialized Studies in Political Theory. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Makes it possible for political theory students to deal with questions which theorists have asked, and to attempt to answer such questions for themselves.

Note: May be repeated for credit with permission of Graduate Coordinator.

POLS 230.     Theories of International Relations. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Upper division course in the field and/or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examination of the theory and practice of international relations including such subfields as international law, international organization, foreign policy and national security policy.

Note: May be repeated for credit with permission of Graduate Coordinator. Cross Listed: IA 210; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 236.     Seminar in International Political Economy. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): An upper division course in the field and/or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This seminar is a graduate-level introduction to the theory and substance of international political economy (IPE). It examines the various theoretical approaches to IPE; considers the role of trade, money, and finance in the international political economy; analyzes the pattern and structure of global production, with an emphasis on multinational corporations; surveys international development issues, including Third World economic development strategies, the debt crises, structural adjustment, and economies in transition; and investigates the politics of globalization.

Cross Listed: IA 221; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 239.     Globalization and International Relations. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): An upper division course in international relations or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Introduction to the theories and substance of globalization. It examines alternative theories of globalization; considers globalization's political impact on the territorial state, regionalism, the welfare state, the military, immigration, and the environment; investigates the politics of the anti-globalization backlash; and concludes with an assessment of the future political trends of globalization.

Cross Listed: IA 230; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 240.     Comparative Government and Politics. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Advanced course in the field.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Advanced study of some of the world's governmental and political systems. May focus on single countries, groups of countries or general categories of systems. Considers theoretical concept and methodology.

Note: May be repeated for credit with permission of Graduate Coordinator. Cross Listed: IA 222; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 249A.     Middle East Politics and the United States. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Graduate introduction to politics and governments of the Middle East and the impact of the United States foreign policy in the region. Relies on a comparative frame to tease out the causes of intrastate and interstate conflicts in the region, as well as the effects of the American foreign policy on the contemporary political trends in the Middle East, including those relating to the Arab-Israeli conflict, Islamic political resurgence, and terrorism.

POLS 250.     Basic Issues of American Government. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): An upper division course in the field and/or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Exploration in-depth of topics such as federalism, executive-legislative relationships, problems of representation, government reorganization, congressional reform, the electoral process.

Note: May be repeated for credit with permission of Graduate Coordinator.

POLS 270.     Political Behavior and Political Processes: California and Beyond. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Course will explore public opinion, voting behavior, representation and political psychology with special focus on California.

Note: Undergraduates may take the course with instructor permission.

POLS 280.     California Politics. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Advanced study of California's state and local governments, with emphasis on political history, political institutions, and the role of direct democracy on the state's government, budget and politics. Demographic and geographic elements will be scrutinized through a political focus. California's policy and political process will also be examined, as well as discussion of various political reforms.

Note: Undergraduates may take the course with instructor permission. Prerquisite

POLS 281.     Comparative State Government. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines state political institutions and processes. Special attention will be paid to how the political variation among the states shapes processes and outcomes. Topics covered will include governors, legislatures, interest groups, public opinion, political parties, and elections.

POLS 284.     Urban Politics. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

In-depth exploration of the socio-economic problems of urban and metropolitan areas and an evaluation of proposed political and governmental solutions.

Note: May be repeated for credit with permission of Graduate Coordinator. Cross Listed: PPA 284; only one may be counted for credit.

POLS 293A.     Senate Fellows Introductory Seminar. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Critical analysis and examination of the operation of the State Capitol and the larger political environment of political parties, interest groups, and public opinion.

Note: Open only to students admitted to the California Senate Fellows Program.

POLS 293B.     Senate Fellows Policy Seminar. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Seminar will analyze procedural issues and public policy questions within the State Senate, legislature, and contemporary California politics.

Note: Open only to students admitted to the California Senate Fellows Program.

POLS 294A.     Assembly Fellows Introductory Seminar. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Critical examination of state and local governmental institutions and processes. Seminar will impart an advanced understanding of the structures and processes of California's political institutions, government and legislature.

Note: Open only to students admitted to the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program.

POLS 294B.     Assembly Fellows Policy Seminar. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Seminar focuses on current California policy issues and the lawmaking process.

Note: Open only to students admitted to the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program.

POLS 295.     Government Internship. 1 - 6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Supervised work experience in an approved legislative or administrative office at some level of local or state government, or in a politically-related organization that is concerned with government. Supervision is provided by the faculty instructor and responsible officials in the work situation.

Note: Open to all graduate students, subject to instructor permission. No more than 3 units of GOVT 295 may be counted toward the Master's degree.

Credit/No Credit

POLS 299.     Independent Study. 1 - 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

For advanced graduate students who have demonstrated their ability to carry on advanced, independent research. Permits a student to pursue study and research in an area not otherwise available through the regular curriculum. Student must be advanced to candidacy.

Credit/No Credit

POLS 500.     Culminating Experience. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Advanced to candidacy.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Should be taken after completion of all other requirements for the degree. Students may choose from the following options, which they must declare when they advance to candidacy: Thesis, Project, or Comprehensive Examination.