Political Science (POSC)
POSC 100 F American Government 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This course is an introduction to American government that involves learning about its institutions, i.e., the Congress, the Presidency, the Judiciary, the interaction among the federal, state, and local governments. The role of political parties, elections, public bureaucracies, interest groups and other complimentary elements that interact/effect the political system. Students will develop the necessary skills for analyzing and critically appraising such areas as competing theories, the historical evolution of the Republic and its Constitution. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) AA, GE, CSU GE, IGETC (C-ID: POLS 110)
POSC 100HF Honors American Government 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This Honors-enhanced course is an introduction to American government that involves learning about its institutions, i.e., the Congress, the Presidency, the Judiciary, the interaction among the federal, state, and local governments, the role of political parties, elections, public bureaucracies, interest groups and other complimentary elements that interact/effect the political system. Students will develop the necessary skills for analyzing and critically appraising such areas as competing theories, the historical evolution of the Republic and its Constitution. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC (C-ID: POLS 110)
POSC 110 F Contemporary American Politics 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This course emphasizes the political problems that are current in the American political scene and provides an opportunity for the student to investigate and evaluate contending response to those problems. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC
POSC 110HF Honors Contemporary American Politics 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This Honors-enhanced course emphasizes the political problems that are current in the American political scene and provides an opportunity for the student to investigate and evaluate contending response to those problems. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC
POSC 120 F Introduction to Political Theory 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. The course is a survey of Western political theory. It is intended to introduce students to political theory from Greek times to the Enlightenment and beyond. It is intended to show students how political theory shapes current institutions and ideologies in the United States, Europe, and other countries around the world. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC (C-ID: POLS 120)
POSC 135 F Campaigns and Elections 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This course is an introduction to campaigns and elections with an emphasis on local government in our community. The class combines the theoretical, examining how the rules and operation affect the public policies, with the practical elements of operating campaigns. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC)
POSC 150 F California Government and Politics 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This course is an introduction to the study of state and local politics, exploring the political culture, processes, behavior, institutions, public policy, and distribution of power in California. Policies in other states are examined to aid understanding of California politics. Topics include the political culture of the state, the process of change, policy agendas, budgeting, and the current status of states within the federal system. (Degree Credit) (CSU) AA GE, CSU GE
POSC 180 F Capital Field Trip: Sacramento Seminar 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This seminar course joins with student delegations from other California colleges and universities that meet in the state capitol for a policy conference each spring. Includes presentations and panel discussions by legislators, lobbyists, public administrators, and journalists. This course will meet regularly before the practicum to prepare students for the conference and an independent research paper will be assigned. This course includes a mandatory three-day field trip to Sacramento's Legislative Seminar. (Degree Credit) (CSU)
POSC 180HF Honors Capital Field Trip - Sacramento Seminar 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This Honors-enhanced course enables students to join with student delegations from other California colleges and universities that meet in the state capitol for a policy conference each Spring. Includes presentations and panel discussions by legislators, lobbyists, public administrators, and journalists. This class will meet regularly before the practicum to prepare students for the conference and an independent research paper will be assigned. This course includes a mandatory three-day field trip to Sacramento's Legislative Seminar. (Degree Credit) (CSU)
POSC 198 F Political Campaign Internship 1 Unit
60 hours unpaid internship or 75 hours paid internship per term. This course allows students to increase their knowledge of political science through campaign work for a candidate for elected office. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC Credit Limitation depending upon course content) (UC review required)
POSC 199 F Public Policy Internship 1 Unit
60 hours unpaid internship or 75 hours paid internship per term. This course allows students to increase their knowledge of public policy through an internship with an elected official, government office, or non-profit agency. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC Credit Limitation depending upon course content) (UC review required)
POSC 200 F Introduction to the Study of Politics 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This course is an introduction to the study of politics in general, not simply American politics. It explores the many faces of politics all over the world, examining its relationship to morality, culture, economics, justice and international affairs both theoretically and practically. As an introductory course, it includes elements from the major sub-disciplines of political science, i.e., American politics, comparative politics, and international relations. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC (C-ID: POLS 150)
POSC 215 F Comparative Politics 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This course emphasizes various methodologies necessary to compare political systems representing Eurasia, the Western Hemisphere, and the developing nations. It explores the differences and similarities in the operation of the major branches of government, political party and electoral systems, types and activities of interest groups, individual rights and liberties, leadership patterns, the power relations among local, provincial, national and supra-national regional governments such as the European Community, and the challenges facing transitional democracies throughout the world. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC (C-ID: POLS 130)
POSC 216 F Government and Politics of the Middle East 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This course is an introduction to the historical, social, economic and ideological foundations of the Middle East in general and major states in the region in particular. Emphasis is placed on the political and economic developments in Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Topics covered include: introduction to the land, peoples, cultures and religions; colonialism and the emergence of modern states following World War I; Western influence and Islamic revivalism; regional conflicts (Arab-Israeli, Iran-Iraq, Gulf War); the politics and economics of oil; U.S. based ethnic interest groups and their influence on U.S. foreign policy; patrimonialism and militarism; liberalization and democratization. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC
POSC 220 F Introduction to Public Administration 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This course covers the role of government in American society, the historic development of the public service, management issues related to modern governmental enterprises, problems of personnel, public budgeting and alternative strategies for securing administrative responsibility. This course focuses on readings and cases pertaining to local and state administration, although issues involving the federal level are discussed where appropriate. This course examines, from a multidisciplinary perspective, those essential competencies, values and issues important to public service organizations and the importance of public policy at the local, state, national and international levels. Field trips may be required outside of regularly-scheduled class time. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) CSU GE, AA GE
POSC 230 F Introduction to International Relations 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This course is a study in the evolution of the international system, focusing on theories of international relations and globalization, and the role of the state, transnational corporations, and non-governmental/inter-governmental organizations. Special emphasis is given to the rise of globalization, economic and cultural interdependence, the role of international law, North-South relations, and the challenge of dealing with environmental/ecological destruction in a world dominated by states in the post Cold War era. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC (C-ID: POLS 140)
POSC 250 F Gender and Politics 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. This course is an introduction to the study of global politics at the national, state, and local levels with an emphasis on the role of gender, including an examination of politics and the intersection of gender, race, class, and ethnicity. Contemporary political analysis will focus on issues such as equal pay, sex discrimination in education and the workplace, affirmative action, reproductive rights, sexual choice, domestic violence, and increasing the representation of members of underrepresented groups in political arenas. This course fulfills the Multicultural Education requirement for graduation. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC) AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC
POSC 275 F Introduction to Public Law 3 Units
54 hours lecture per term. The course explores the interactive dynamic among the judicial, legislative, and executive branches in the creation and implementation of public law. It involves an extensive analysis of cases relating to the separation of powers, federal-state relations, and rights of property, free expression, privacy, criminal due process, political participation, and equality under law. Corollary topics include orientation to legal research, case briefing, development of judicial review, judicial organization and decision-making, sources and limits of judicial power, and the political impact of Supreme Court decisions. Students will participate in various simulations of court decisions. (CSU) (UC) (Degree Credit) AA GE, CSU GE
POSC 299 F Political Science Independent Study 1 Unit
54 hours independent study per term. This course is offered for students who wish to increase their knowledge of political science through individual study and small group conferences. Students successfully completing this course will be awarded elective credit in the Social Science area. (Degree Credit) (CSU) (UC review required)