Jul 23, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Political Science, BA

The BA Political Science, offered by the Department of Political Science , provides students with an understanding of politics and the political process and prepares them for their lifelong responsibilities as citizens, as well as furthering their skills in critical analysis and communication. The major in political science may lead to a wide variety of careers, including teaching, the law, business, and public service.

Program Learning Outcomes

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

Capstone course must be completed with a C- or better graduate.

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3B, 4, UD 3, UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) (3 units)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures
Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements including exemptions and waivers, are approved for specific majors and on a case-by-case evaluation only.

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division GE: 22 (9 units may be satisfied by major coursework: Areas 3B, 4)

6 required units of American Institutions/US123 may be satisfied by selecting applicable GE courses in Areas 3B and/or 4

Upper Division GE: 9

Physical Education: 2

GWAR/ WID: 0 (3 units may be satisfied by POLS 100W )

Major Requirements: 46-50

University Electives: 34-38

Total: 120

2. Major Requirements (46-50 units)

Lower Division Core Courses (12 units)

POLS 2 - Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 / Formerly Area D)
POLS 3 - Introduction to Political Thought 3 unit(s) (GE Area 3B / Formerly Area C2)
POLS 4 - Introduction to International Relations 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 / Formerly Area D)
POLS 15 - Essentials of U.S. & California Government 3 unit(s) [(GE Area 4/Formerly Area D) / US23]

Upper Division Core Courses (21-22 units)

POLS 100W - Writing Workshop 3 unit(s) (WID)
POLS 100M - Political Inquiry 4 unit(s) A grade of C- or better is required

Additional Upper Division Core Courses (14-15 units)

Complete 14-15 units from the following. One course from each of the four fields is required.

U.S. Government and Politics (3-4 units)

Complete one course:

POLS 102 - State Government and Politics 4 unit(s) (US3)
POLS 103 - Local Government and Politics 4 unit(s)
POLS 105 - Congress 4 unit(s)
POLS 106 - The United States Presidency 4 unit(s)
POLS 108 - Political Participation 4 unit(s)
POLS 111 - Political Movements 4 unit(s)
POLS 114 - Introduction to Public Administration 3 unit(s)
POLS 121A - Constitutional Law: Institutional Powers 4 unit(s)
POLS 122 - Judicial Politics 4 unit(s)
POLS 130 - American Public Policy 4 unit(s)

Comparative Politics (4 units)

Complete one course:

POLS 141 - Politics of Post-Communist Countries 4 unit(s)
POLS 142 - African Politics 4 unit(s)
POLS 144 - Middle Eastern Politics 4 unit(s)
POLS 145 - Asian Politics 4 unit(s)
POLS 146 - Latin American Politics 4 unit(s)
POLS 147 - Globalization 4 unit(s)
POLS 148 - Nationalism and Comparative Political Cultures 4 unit(s)

International Relations (4 units)

Complete one course:

POLS 152A - International Organizations and NGOs 4 unit(s)
POLS 153 - European Union 4 unit(s)
POLS 154 - U.S. Foreign Policy: Formulation and Administration 4 unit(s)
POLS 155 - The Wealth of Nations 4 unit(s)
POLS 157 - International Security 4 unit(s)

Political Thought (3 units)

Complete one course:

POLS 160A - Classical Political Thought 3 unit(s)
POLS 160B - Modern Political Thought 3 unit(s)
POLS 160C - Recent Political Thought 3 unit(s)
POLS 163 - American Political Thought 3 unit(s)

Additional Upper Division Courses (13-16 units)

Upper Division Electives (9-12 units)

Three additional upper division courses from POLS 102-POLS 199 (except POLS 120, POLS 150 or POLS 170V).

Capstone Course (4 units)

A grade of C- or better is required. Complete one course:

POLS 181C - Internship Capstone 4 unit(s)
POLS 190 - Senior Seminar 4 unit(s)

3. University Electives (34-38 units)

Students may choose Political Science or other electives.

About

Political Science, BA

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Summary of Degree Units

2. Major Requirements (46-50 units)

Lower Division Core Courses (12 units)

Upper Division Core Courses (21-22 units)

Additional Upper Division Core Courses (14-15 units)

U.S. Government and Politics (3-4 units)

Comparative Politics (4 units)

International Relations (4 units)

Political Thought (3 units)

Additional Upper Division Courses (13-16 units)

Upper Division Electives (9-12 units)

Capstone Course (4 units)

3. University Electives (34-38 units)

Total Units Required (120 units)