Program: B.A., Political Science
Politics and Government
Overview
This option offers a variety of courses in domestic and global politics and policy. The curriculum may be selected by students who (a) wish a liberal arts education; (b) who desire to pursue graduate education in political science or other fields, such as law; (c) who wish to enter government; or (d) who intend to teach in secondary schools.
Program Requirements
1. Basic Requirements (12 units)
POLS 155 American Political Institutions (3)
or POLS 355 American National, State and Local Governments (3)*
POLS 156 European and Comparative Government (3)
or POLS 225 Elements of International Relations (3)
POLS 372 Principles and Methods of Political Science (3)
POLS 350 Great Questions in Politics (3)
or POLS 411 Greek, Roman and Medieval Political Theory (3)
or POLS 412 Modern Western Political Theory (3)
or POLS 413 American Political Thought (3)
or POLS 414 Western Political Theory in the 20th Century (3)
*Students will receive credit for either POLS 155 or 355, but not both.
2. Advanced Upper Division Requirements (36 units)
- Choose three courses in Domestic Politics and Policy (9 units)
- Choose three courses in Global Politics and Policy (9 units)
- Choose six courses in Domestic or Global Politics and Policy or General Electives** (18 units)
**Courses in the Advanced Requirements electives must include two proseminars (POLS 471 A-F) or one proseminar and one internship (POLS 494I, 494J, 449, 427A/L or 427B/L).
Advanced Courses
Domestic
POLS 360, 361, 380, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 413, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447A, 448, 449, 450, 455, 457A, 457B, 458, 460, 461, 462, 463, 465, 466, 467, 469/L, 471A, 471E and 471F
Global
POLS 310, 321, 330, 332, 410, 420A, 420B, 420C, 420D, 420E, 420F, 420G, 420H, 421, 422, 423, 424, 426, 427A/L, 427B/L, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432A, 432B, 433A, 433C, 434A, 434B, 435A, 435B, 436A, 438, 439A, 439B, 448, 471B, 471C, 480 and 481
General
POLS 303, 321, 350, 372, 411, 412, 414, 415, 471D, 486SOC, 490CA, 494SOC, 496A-Z, 498A, 498B, 498C, 499A, 499B, 499C and 499RIA
3. General Education (48 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog.
Students may not double count Political Science and GE courses. POLS 155 or 355 meets both major and Title 5 Requirement Courses in the major and all Title 5 and General Education courses must be taken for a letter grade. They may not be taken Credit/No Credit. POLS 155 or 355 partially fulfill Title 5 requirement.
Total Units in the Major/Option: 48
General Education Units: 48
Additional Units: 24
Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120
Contact
Chair: Lawrence Becker
lawrence.becker@csun.edu
Sierra Hall (SH) 210
(818) 677-3488
www.csun.edu/pols
Student Learning Outcomes
Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Political Science will provide the student with:
- The basic concepts, theories, research methodology and empirical findings within the discipline of political science.
- A knowledge of Western and non-Western political systems, processes, values and patterns of interaction among these systems.
- An understanding of the political institutions through which public plans are formulated and implemented.
- A working knowledge of research designs, measurement, computer-assisted data analyses, use of the Internet and the ability to interpret the result of using these tools.