This is an archive of the 2015-2016 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

This is an archive of the 2015-2016 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2015-2016

Academic Advisement

Students must consult with a faculty advisor regularly in planning their program and schedule. A staff advisor is available by appointment in the department office (SH 210), and faculty advisors are available during the semester at regularly scheduled office hours and by appointment. Students should come to the department office for the scheduled office hours of the faculty. For pre-law advisement, please see Professor Leigh Bradberry. Helpful academic advisement is also available to students through the department advisor and staff advisors in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Student Services Center/EOP Satellite. Please call (818) 677-2658 to schedule an appointment.

Careers

The major in Political Science is designed for students who intend to work in politics, government and public policy, for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the law or who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree in Political Science or other related fields in preparation for university-level teaching. Graduates of the program work in politics, government service, public policy, the nonprofit sector and in the private sector in a variety of fields. Beyond the substance of political science, students in the major hone their analytical reasoning and critical-thinking skills, their writing skills, their communication skills and their research skills. All of these are key characteristics sought after by employers in both the public and private sectors.

For more information about the Master of Public Administration Program, please see the Public Administration listing in this Catalog.

Clubs and Societies

DC Internship Program

The Political Science department hosts the DC Internship Program in which students live and learn in the nation’s capital for the entire Spring or Summer term. Students intern on Capitol Hill, in agencies, in nonprofit organizations or in private firms during the day and take classes during the evening, while continuing to make progress toward their degree. The program is open to all majors. For more information, please see www.csun.edu/dcinterns.

 

Model United Nations

The Political Science department hosts the Model United Nations (MUN) program in which students prepare for and compete in regional and national MUN conferences. Students enrolled in the MUN course develop their writing, public speaking and negotiating skills while learning about international relations, international organizations and public policy. Support for travel for the MUN program is provided by the Instructionally Related Activities fund, Associated Students, the Department of Political Science, and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

 

Judicial Internship Program

The Judicial Internship Program pairs students one-on-one with judges in the Superior Courts of Los Angeles County so that students can learn about the inner workings of the Court, the legal system, and about careers in the law. It is primarily intended for students from all majors who are thinking about a career in the law. Students in the program enroll in POLS 494J and receive 3 units of credit. Students observe cases in the courts and spend time with their mentor/judge. For more information about this program, please contact Dr. Leigh Bradberry in the Political Science department.

 

International Studies

The Political Science department supports the concept of international education and encourages students to investigate opportunities for overseas study. Certain courses taken at CSU International Program Study Centers in foreign countries are equivalent to courses in the Department of Political Science and may be used to fulfill some of the requirements for degree options offered by the department and/or certain General Education requirements. Students should consult the International Programs Bulletin available in the International and Exchange Student Center, a departmental advisor or the campus International Programs advisor for more information.

 

Social Science Subject Matter Program for the Single Subject Credential

Political Science majors interested in teaching social studies at the middle school or high school level may combine their major program with the Single Subject Social Science Subject Matter Program to meet requirements for entering a Single Subject Credential Program. View Social Science Subject Matter Program for Secondary School Teachers for more information. The Political Science department advisor also can provide assistance in coordinating the completion of both the major and the subject matter program simultaneously.

Contact

Chair: Lawrence Becker
lawrence.becker@csun.edu
Sierra Hall (SH) 210
(818) 677-3488
www.csun.edu/pols