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

Program: B.A., Political Science

Law and Society

Overview

This option offers students an in-depth study of public law and the philosophies upon which our legal system is based. The option may be selected by students who wish to pursue a career in law or to prepare for careers in government, politics and public offices within public and nonprofit organizations or the private sector.

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 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3)
or POLS 225 Elements of International Relations (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 414 Western Political Theory in the 20th Century (3)

POLS 372 Principles and Methods of Political Science (3)

2. Advanced Requirements in Upper Division (36 units)

  1. Choose three courses in Domestic Politics and Policy (9 units)
  2. Choose three courses in Global Politics and Policy (9 units)
  3. Choose two Proseminars (POLS 471A-F) (6 units)*
  4. Choose four Electives (12 units)–Must include two of the following: POLS 450, 455, 457A or 457B.
    May also include ENGL 407, PHIL 390, PHIL 446, PHIL 460, SOC 434.

*Internship (POLS 494I), Judicial Internship (POLS 494J), Model United Nations (POLS 427A/L or POLS 427B/L) or The Politics of Community Action (POLS 449) may be substituted for 3 units of POLS 471.

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:

  1. The basic concepts, theories, research methodology and empirical findings within the discipline of political science.
  2. A knowledge of Western and non-Western political systems, processes, values and patterns of interaction among these systems.
  3. An understanding of the political institutions through which public plans are formulated and implemented.
  4. 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.