Political Science (POL) College of Letters & Science
POL 001 — American National Government (4 units)
Course Description: Survey of American national government, including the constitutional system, political culture, parties, elections, the presidency, Congress, and the courts.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 001Y — American National Government (4 units)
Course Description: Survey of American national government, including the constitutional system, political culture, parties, elections, the presidency, Congress, and the courts.
- Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 002 — Introduction to Comparative Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to basic concepts in political analysis and application of them in comparative studies of selected countries. Coverage is given to cultural and other informal dimensions of politics as well as to more formal political and governmental structures.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 003 — International Relations (4 units)
Course Description: International conflict and cooperation, including the Cold War, nuclear weapons, and new techniques for understanding international politics.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 004 — Basic Concepts in Political Theory (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of such concepts as the individual, community, liberty, equality, justice, and natural law as developed in the works of the major political philosophers.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 005 — Contemporary Problems of the American Political System (4 units)
Course Description: In-depth treatment of selected problems and issues of American politics, governmental institutions, and policies.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 006 — Political Anger in America & Abroad (4 units)
Course Description: Anger, distrust, and political polarization in the United States and abroad with emphasis on causes, consequences, and possible solutions. Democratic stability and democratic backsliding.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service, and International Relations students only.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); World Cultures (WC).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service, and International Relations students only.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); World Cultures (WC).
POL 007 — Contemporary Issues in Law & Politics (4 units)
This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Seminar focusing on the political dimensions of American law and institutions. Examines the role of courts in resolving contemporary issues of law and politics including abortion, capital punishment, and civil rights.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Limited enrollment; open to students having no more than 40.1 units.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 007 — Introduction to Law & Politics (4 units)
- Course Description: Introduction to the judicial process and constitutional law. Judicial interpretation, rights litigation, key constitutional amendments, and the sociopolitical forces that have prompted constitutional change.
- Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH), Domestic Diversity (DD).
- This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Limited enrollment; open to students having no more than 40.1 units.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 007 — Introduction to Law & Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to the judicial process and constitutional law. Judicial interpretation, rights litigation, key constitutional amendments, and the sociopolitical forces that have prompted constitutional change.
Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH), Domestic Diversity (DD).
This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.
POL 007V — Introduction to Law & Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to the judicial process and constitutional law. Judicial interpretation, rights litigation, key constitutional amendments, and the sociopolitical forces that have prompted constitutional change.
- Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 3 hour(s); Web Electronic Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD).
- This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD).
POL 011A — America Decides: Who Will Win This Year's Election? (4 units)
Course Description: Current election events against backdrop of research-based exploration of factors influencing elections. Candidate nominations, campaign strategy, campaign finance, media coverage, and voter decision-making.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Quantitative Literacy (QL).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Quantitative Literacy (QL).
POL 011AV — America Decides: Who Will Win This Year's Election? (4 units)
Course Description: Current election events against backdrop of research-based exploration of factors influencing elections. Candidate nominations, campaign strategy, campaign finance, media coverage, and voter decision-making.
- Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 2 hour(s), Web Electronic Discussion 2 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Quantitative Literacy (QL).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Quantitative Literacy (QL).
POL 011B — Citizen Lawmaking: Direct Democracy, Public Policy & Political Representation in America (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of direct participation by citizens in the lawmaking process.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 011C — Politics & Film (4 units)
Course Description: Survey of portrayals of politics and policy issues in moving pictures. Analysis of political processes, policy development, social mores, and historical periods as highlighted in Hollywood movies, television, and/or documentary films.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 011D — Political Persuasion (4 units)
Course Description: Examination of political influence and persuasion.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 012A — Politics & Sports (4 units)
Course Description: Core issues in American and world politics through the lens of sports and the athletes who play them. Introduction of American civil rights movement, the Cold War, Middle East Tensions, and democratization.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 012B — Climate Change & Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of political institutions' response and adaptation to climate change.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 012Y — Data Visualization in the Social Sciences (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to quantitative data across the social sciences (Communications, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and other disciplines). Transforming data, describing data, producing graphs, visual reasoning, and interpretations.
POL 051 — Scientific Study of Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to the basic principles of the scientific study of politics. Research design and empirical analysis of data with applications to different methodological approaches and different substantive areas in political science.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Science & Engineering (SE) or Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Science & Engineering (SE) or Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 090X — Lower Division Seminar (4 units)
Course Description: Examines fundamental issues and concepts that shape the study and practice of politics. Students will read, discuss and write about some of the most significant texts in political science in order to develop a foundation for the study of politics.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; lower division standing.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Limited enrollment.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Limited enrollment.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 099 — Special Study for Undergraduates (1-5 units)
Course Description: Special study for undergraduates.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Variable.
- Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
POL 100 — Local Government & Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Politics and government of local communities in the United States, including cities, counties and special districts. Emphasizes sources and varieties of community conflict, legislative and executive patterns, expertise, decision making and the politics of structure. Observation of local governing boards.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 102 — Urban Public Policy (4 units)
Course Description: Political and economic relationships among central cities, suburbs, and regional, state, and federal governments. Focuses upon policy areas such as poverty, transportation, welfare, and housing, and upon who governs and who benefits from the policies in these areas.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 104 — California State Government & Politics (4 units)
Course Description: California political system. Political culture, constitution, elections and parties, direct democracy, legislature, governor, executive branch, courts, finances, state-local relations and policy issues.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 105 — The Legislative Process (4 units)
Course Description: Legislative process with emphasis on the United States Congress; legislative organization and procedures, legislative leadership and policy making, legislators and constituents, relations between Congress and other agencies.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 106 — The Presidency (4 units)
Course Description: American presidencies origins and development; presidential power and influence as manifest in relationships with Congress, courts, parties, and the public in the formulation and administration of foreign and domestic policy; nominations, campaigns, and elections.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 107 — Environmental Politics & Administration (4 units)
Course Description: Environment as a political issue in the United States. Development of administrative mechanisms for handling environmental problems. Changing role of Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy and the courts in environmental policy formulation and implementation.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 108 — Policy Making in the Public Sector (4 units)
Course Description: Theoretical rationale for governmental activity, program evaluation, PPBS, positive theories of policy making, the quantitative study of policy determinants, implementation, and proposals for improved decision making.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 109 — Public Policy & the Governmental Process (4 units)
Course Description: Processes of formulating public policy, including individual and collective decision making, political exchange, competition, bargaining, coalition formation and the allocation of public goods, resources and opportunities.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 110 — The Strategy of Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to game theory. Explanation of the behavior of individuals in strategic interaction. Rational and behavioral approaches. Applications to political science and other fields.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 112 — Contemporary Democratic Theory (4 units)
Course Description: Major contemporary attempts to reformulate traditional democratic theory, attempts to replace traditional theory by conceptual models derived from modern social science findings.
Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 113 — American Political Thought (4 units)
Course Description: Origins and nature of American political thought. Principles of American thought as they emerge from the founding period to the present.
Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 114 — Quantitative Analysis of Political Data (4 units)
Course Description: Logic and methods of analyzing quantitative political data. Topics covered include central tendency, probability, correlation, and non-parametric statistics. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the use of statistics in political science research.
Prerequisite(s): POL 051 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Science & Engineering (SE) or Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Science & Engineering (SE) or Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 115 — Medieval Political Thought (4 units)
Course Description: Examination of the ideas central to medieval political thinking. Emphasis will be upon the thoughts of the major political thinkers of the period, rather than upon political history.
Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 116 — Foundations of Political Thought (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis and evaluation of the seminal works of a major political philosopher or of a major problem in political philosophy.
Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 117 — Topics in the History of Political Thought (4 units)
This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Political thought of a specific historical period. Topics may include: Ancient Athens, the Italian Renaissance, the Enlightenment, or 19th-century Germany.
Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 117 — Topics in the History of Political Thought (4 units)
- Course Description: Political thought of a specific historical period. Topics may include: Ancient Athens, the Italian Renaissance, the Enlightenment, or 19th-century Germany. May be taught abroad.
- Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
- This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 117 — Topics in the History of Political Thought (4 units)
Course Description: Political thought of a specific historical period. Topics may include: Ancient Athens, the Italian Renaissance, the Enlightenment, or 19th-century Germany. May be taught abroad.
Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.
POL 118A — History of Political Theory: Ancient (4 units)
Course Description: Critical analyses of classical and medieval political philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and St. Thomas.
Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 118B — History of Political Theory: Early Modern (4 units)
Course Description: Critical analysis of the works of early modern political philosophers such as Machiavelli, Montaigne, Hobbes, Locke and Hume.
Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 118C — History of Political Theory: Late Modern (4 units)
Course Description: Critical analyses of the works of late modern political philosophers such as Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Tocqueville, Mill, Marx and Nietzsche.
Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 119 — Contemporary Political Thought (4 units)
Course Description: Contemporary political thought from the end of the 19th century to the present. Emphasis upon an individual philosopher, concept, or philosophical movement; e.g., Nietzsche, Continental political thought, Rawls and critics, theories of distributive justice, feminist theory.
Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH) or Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 120 — Theories of International Politics (4 units)
This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Major contemporary approaches to the study of international politics, including balance of power, game theory, Marxist-Leninist theory, systems theory, and decision-making analysis.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 120 — Theories of International Politics (4 units)
- Course Description: Major contemporary approaches to the study of international relations, including rational choice theory and economic theory applied to political behavior and policy.
- Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
- This course version is effective from, and including: Winter Quarter 2025.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 120 — Theories of International Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Major contemporary approaches to the study of international relations, including rational choice theory and economic theory applied to political behavior and policy.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 003 recommended.
Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
This course version is effective from, and including: Winter Quarter 2025.
POL 121 — Scientific Study of War (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of political processes involved in the initiation, conduct and termination of modern interstate warfare.
Prerequisite(s): POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 122 — International Law (4 units)
Course Description: Selected topics in international law; territory, sovereign immunity, responsibility, the peaceful settlement or nonsettlement of international disputes.
Prerequisite(s): POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 123 — The Politics of Interdependence (4 units)
Course Description: In the past several decades, growing economic interdependence has generated new problems in international relations. Deals with difficulties in managing complex interdependence and its implication on national policies and politics.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 124 — The Politics of Global Inequality (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of current economic and political international relations resulting from a long standing division of the global system into rich and poor regions.
Prerequisite(s): POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 126 — Ethnic Self-Determination & International Conflict (4 units)
Course Description: Compares the claims of the state and ethnic peoples in countries undergoing internal conflicts; e.g., South Africa, Northern Ireland. Analyzes the role of the international community in facilitating the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Prerequisite(s): POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 129 — Special Studies in International Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Intensive examination of one or more special problems in international politics. May be taught abroad.
Prerequisite(s): POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 130 — Recent U.S. Foreign Policy (4 units)
Course Description: Broad survey of the development of U.S. foreign policy in 20th century with emphasis on transformation of policy during and after World War II, and the introduction to analytic tools and concepts useful for understanding of current foreign policy issues.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 131 — Analysis of U.S. Foreign Policy (4 units)
Course Description: Detailed presentation and examination of the formulation of execution of U.S. foreign policy. Survey of numerous factors influencing policy outcomes and how such determinants vary according to policy issue areas.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 132 — National Security Policy (4 units)
Course Description: Development of national security policies since 1945. Analysis of deterrence and assumptions upon which it is based. Effects of nuclear weapons upon conduct of war, alliance systems, and the international system. Prospects of security and stability through arms control.
Prerequisite(s): POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 134 — Africa & U.S. Foreign Policy (4 units)
Course Description: Overview of American foreign policy toward Africa. Relationship to global adversaries. Legacies of colonialism. Challenge of national self-determination and white racism. Policies on non-alignment, producer cartels, multinational corporations, continental integration and trade and aid relations.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 135 — International Politics of the Middle East (4 units)
Course Description: International politics of the Middle East as a microcosm of world politics. The Middle East as a regional system. Domestic and International Politics in the Middle East. Changing Political Structures in the Middle East. Superpower involvement in the Middle East.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 136 — The Arab-Israeli Conflict (4 units)
Course Description: Causes, course, and implications of Arab-Israeli conflict. Competing Israeli and Arab narratives, politics of force, diplomacy. Domestic politics and A-I conflict, the superpowers and the A-I conflict, A-I conflict and world politics, potential solutions.
Prerequisite(s): POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 137 — International Relations in Western Europe (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of European unity, problems of the Atlantic alliance, Atlantic political economy, East-West relations, communism in Western Europe and the relationship between domestic politics and foreign policy. May be taught abroad.
Prerequisite(s): POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 139 — Special Studies in Foreign Policy (4 units)
Course Description: Extensive examination of one or more special problems in foreign policy.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 140A — Comparative Political Institutions: Electoral Systems (4 units)
Course Description: Workings of electoral institutions, focusing on systems used to elect presidents and assemblies, pass laws, and generally make decisions. Examples from systems throughout the world, including cases from both the advanced industrial and developing worlds.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 140B — Comparative Political Institutions: Parties (4 units)
Course Description: Factors shaping political parties and their role in democratic representation.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 140C — Comparative Political Institutions: Legislatures (4 units)
Course Description: Examination of legislatures from a comparative perspective.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 140D — When Institutions Fail (4 units)
Course Description: Examination of factors contributing to the success and failure of political institutions.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 140E — Policy-Making Processes (4 units)
Course Description: Comparative analysis of policy-making in the U.S. and other countries.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 140F — Experiments in Social Change (4 units)
Course Description: Concept and practice of randomized policy experiments. Applications in comparative politics. Practical exercises in cleaning, analyzing, visualizing, and interpreting data from experiments.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 142A — Comparative Development: Political Development in Modernizing Societies (4 units)
Course Description: Nature and sequence of political development; its economic and social concomitants; role of elites, military, bureaucracy, and party systems; social stratification and group politics; social mobilization and political participation; instability, violence, and the politics of integration.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 142B — Comparative Development: Politics & Inequality (4 units)
Course Description: Linkages between politics and the distribution of social and economic goods. Impact of civil rights legislation, the politics of welfare states, and the effects of political participation on the distribution of goods.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 142C — Comparative Political Development: Democracy & Democratization (4 units)
Course Description: Examination of conditions promoting democratization and democratic stability.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 143A — Latin American Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Issues related to democratic consolidation in Latin America, with a regional focus on South America. Topics include transitions to democracy, the role of the military, political economy, and political behavior.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 143B — Mexican Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to the politics of contemporary Mexico. Focus on rise, fall, and aftermath of Mexico's one-party dominant system.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 144A — Politics of Post-Communist Countries: East European Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Post-war democratization, state-building and economic reform in East European states.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 144B — Politics of Post-Communist Countries: Russia (4 units)
Course Description: Democratization, state-building and economic reform; creation of new institutions; impacts of Soviet rule.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 145B — Politics in Israel (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to the domestic politics of Israel in comparative perspective, including issues of internal cultural diversity, religion and politics, fragmentation of the political party system, and coalition governance.
- Learning Activities: Term Paper, Lecture 3 hour(s).
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One restricted to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service, and International Relations majors.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One restricted to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service, and International Relations majors.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC).
POL 146A — Politics of Africa: Issues in Contemporary African Politics (4 units)
Course Description: African politics since the end of the Cold War. Topics include: Strategic Security Approach, Democratization, Human Rights, HIV/AIDS, African Peacekeeping, Terrorism, Religious and Ethnic Conflict, Debt and Stalled Development.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 146B — Politics of Africa: Development in Africa (4 units)
Course Description: Political and economic development within Sub-Saharan Africa. States and institutions, democracy, party systems, military coups/rule, bureaucracy/corruption, race/ethnicity, national/regional integrations, trade unions, economic development strategies, class formation, and women's roles and ideology.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 147A — West European Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Evolution, politics, and contemporary problems of selected political systems of Western Europe. May be taught abroad.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 147B — West European Politics: British Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Evolution, politics, and contemporary problems of Britain's political system.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 147C — West European Politics: French Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Evolution, politics and contemporary problems of France's political system.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 147D — West European Politics: German Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Evolution, politics and contemporary problems of Germany's political system.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 148A — Government & Politics of East Asia: China (4 units)
Course Description: Evolution of political institutions and political culture in China with emphasis on the post-1949 period. Primary attention to nationalism, modernization and political efficacy.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 148B — Government & Politics in East Asia: Japan (4 units)
Course Description: Japanese politics, with an emphasis on the postwar period. Particular emphasis on political parties, elections, political economy, and social problems.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 148C — Government & Politics in East Asia: Southeast Asia (4 units)
Course Description: Evolution of political institutions and economy of selected nations in Southeast Asia. Emphasis on imperialist legacy, nation building in multi-ethnic communities, and contrasts in economic performance.
Prerequisite(s): POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 150 — Judicial Politics & Constitutional Interpretation (4 units)
Course Description: Politics of judicial policy making, issues surrounding constitutional interpretation and decision making, prerequisite for courses on the politics of constitutional law.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 151 — Constitutional Politics of the First Amendment & the Right to Privacy. (4 units)
Course Description: Constitutional politics surrounding such issues as the right to free expression, associational rights, the right to free exercise of religious beliefs and the right to privacy.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 152 — The Constitutional Politics of the Equality (4 units)
Course Description: Constitutional politics of equality in the American political system; issues surrounding constitutional doctrine and judicial policymaking; special attention on racial and sexual equality.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 153 — The Constitutional Politics of the Justice System (4 units)
Course Description: Constitutional politics of the American criminal justice system. Issues surrounding constitutional doctrine and judicial policymaking on issues such as search and seizure. Arrest, trial, incarceration and other issues of due process.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 154 — Legal Philosophy (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of the nature and functions of law; law as an instrument of social control and the relationship between law and morality.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 155 — Judicial Process & Behavior (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of the behavior of judges and courts in the political process. Techniques of judicial decision making. Relationships among courts and other decision-making bodies.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 160 — American Political Parties (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of the structured operations of the party system in the United States; party functions and organizations, nomination processes, campaigns and elections, party trends and reforms.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 161 — Ballots, Bucks, & Maps: The Rules of the Electoral Game in American Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of laws and court cases on the organization and administration of elections in the United States. Topics include campaign finance, redistricting, voting rights, race & representation, and comparisons with other democracies.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD).
POL 162 — Elections & Voting Behavior (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of American elections and partisan behavior; political socialization, political participation, partisanship and individual and group determinants of voting.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 163 — Group Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Groups, institutions and individuals, especially in American politics. Historical and analytical treatment of group theories as applied to interest groups (especially labor, business, agriculture, science, military); to racial, ethnic and sectional groups; to parties, public and legislative groups, bureaucracies.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 164 — Public Opinion (4 units)
Course Description: Nature of public opinion in America as it is supposed to be and as it is. Distribution of opinions among different publics and the significance of that distribution for system stability and institutions. Opinion polling and its problems.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 165 — Mass Media & Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Organization of and decision making within the media; media audiences and the effect of the media on attitudes and behavior; the relationship of the government to the media (censorship, secrecy, freedom of the press, government regulation);the media in election campaigns.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One only open to students in Political Science majors.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One only open to students in Political Science majors.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 165V — Mass Media & Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Organization of and decision making within the media; media audiences and the effect of the media on attitudes and behavior; the relationship of the government to the media (censorship, secrecy, freedom of the press, government regulation);the media in election campaigns.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Web Virtual Lecture 3 hour(s), Web Electronic Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to students in Political Science majors only.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to students in Political Science majors only.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 166 — Women in Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Role of women in American politics. Historical experiences; contemporary organizations and strategies; areas of legislative concern; the impact of differences in social class, race, and ethnicity upon the involvement of women in politics.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s), Seminar 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 168 — Latino Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Political aspects of Latino life in America; examines the political role of Latinos as it has been historically defined by different groups in society and the responses of Latinos to their political environment.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD).
POL 170 — Political Psychology (4 units)
Course Description: Overview to the growing literature on political psychology. Introduction to how psychological concepts (personality, attitudes, stereotypes, heuristics, affect, identity, group dynamics) help us understand how citizens think about politics.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 171 — The Politics of Energy (4 units)
Course Description: Nature and performance of political processes for making energy choices at the international, national and state levels. Interaction of energy policy with other political goals and the ability of governmental institutions to overcome constraints on policy innovation.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 172 — American Political Development (4 units)
Course Description: Systematic analysis of contemporary issues in American political development: historical determinants of political change; the timing and character of institutional development; conditions for successful political action. Democratization, cultural change, party formation, state-building, constitutionalism, race relations.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 174 — Government & the Economy (4 units)
Course Description: Political basis of economic policy (taxation, spending and regulation); impact of prices, employment and growth on political demands; elite responses to economic conditions; policy alternatives and the public interest.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 175 — Science, Technology, & Policy (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of policymaking for science and the use of scientific expertise for making decisions about technology. Topics include funding of basic research, relationship of science to technological development, science and military policy, technological risks, technology assessment and scientists and politics.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 176 — Racial Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Race, racial attitudes and racial policies in the United States with a specific emphasis on African Americans.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Domestic Diversity (DD); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 179 — Special Studies in Comparative Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Intensive examination of one or more special problems appropriate to comparative politics. Coverage is given to formal and informal political institutions, economically developing and developed countries, and non-democratic, democratic, and democratizing countries.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 002 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 180 — Bureaucracy in Modern Society (4 units)
Course Description: Role of bureaucracy in a complex society, with emphasis upon changing relationships between government and the economy; consequences of rapid technological and social change for bureaucratic structures and processes; the problems of reconciling expertise and democracy and increasing the responsiveness of public bureaucracy.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 183 — Administrative Behavior (4 units)
Course Description: Implications for American public administration of evolving concepts about behavior in organizations.
Prerequisite(s): POL 001 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 187 — Administrative Theory (4 units)
Course Description: Historical and critical analysis of the principal theories of organization and management of public agencies in light of such concepts as decision making, bureaucracy, authority and power, communication and control; examination of role of government bureaucracies in the total society.
Prerequisite(s): POL 004 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 190 — International Relations (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis and evaluation of substantive issues in contemporary international relations. Readings drawn from current academic and non-academic periodicals. May be taught abroad.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; POL 003 recommended.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion 1 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 192A — Internship in Public Affairs (3-6 units)
Course Description: Supervised internship and study in political, governmental, or related organizations.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of Instructor; highest priority assigned to students with Political Science Public Service major; upper division standing required.
- Learning Activities: Internship.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service and International Relations majors only.
- Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service and International Relations majors only.
Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
POL 192B — Internship in Public Affairs (1-5 units)
Course Description: Supervised internship and study in political, governmental, or related organizations.
Prerequisite(s): POL 192A; consent of instructor; highest priority assigned to students with Political Science-Public Service major; upper division standing.
- Learning Activities: Internship.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service and International Relations majors only.
- Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service and International Relations majors only.
Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
POL 193 — Research in Practical Politics (2 units)
Course Description: Supervised preparation of an extensive paper relating internship experience to concepts, literature, and theory of political science.
Prerequisite(s): POL 192A; POL 192B; open only to Political Science-Public Service majors, for whom it is required.
- Learning Activities: Project 6 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 193W — Washington Center Research Seminar (4 units)
Course Description: Core academic component of Washington Program offered every quarter. Topics coordinated with internships. Research draws on resources uniquely available in Washington, DC. Supervised preparation of extensive paper.
Prerequisite(s): WAS 192W (can be concurrent).
- Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Term Paper/Discussion.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 2 time(s).
- Cross Listing: WAS 193.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 2 time(s).
Cross Listing: WAS 193.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 194HA — Special Study for Honors Students (4 units)
Course Description: Directed reading, research and writing culminating in preparation of a senior honors thesis under the direction of faculty advisor.
Prerequisite(s): Major in Politcal Science with upper division standing and a GPA of 3.500 in the major.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 2 hour(s), Independent Study 2 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Oral Skills (OL); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Oral Skills (OL); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 194HB — Special Study for Honors Students (4 units)
Course Description: Directed reading, research and writing culminating in preparation of a senior honors thesis under the direction of faculty advisor.
Prerequisite(s): Major in Political Science with upper division standing and a GPA of 3.500 in the major.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 2 hour(s), Independent Study 2 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Oral Skills (OL); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Oral Skills (OL); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 195 — Special Studies in American Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Intensive examination of one or more special problems appropriate to American politics.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; upper division standing.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 196A — Seminar in American Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Intensive reading, discussion, research, writing in American politics. Topics may include Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court, federalism, voting behavior, interest groups, ethnic groups or other topics with a more specialized content than normal course offerings.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division Political Science majors or consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper 1 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); American Cultures, Governance, & History (ACGH); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 196B — Seminar in Comparative Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Intensive reading, discussion, research, writing in comparative politics. Topics may include one country or geographical area, political institutions or behavior across countries, political development, or other topics that are more specialized than normal course offerings.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division Political Science majors or consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper 1 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 196C — Seminar in International Relations (4 units)
Course Description: Intensive reading, discussion, research, writing in international relations including study of international political institutions (UN, EU, or NATO) or interstate relations (war, trade, immigration) and other topics with more specialized content than normal course offerings.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division Political Science majors or consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper 1 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 196D — Seminar in Political Theory (4 units)
Course Description: Intensive reading, discussion, research, writing in political theory. Topics may include study of a single political thinker, a group of related thinkers, development of political concepts, or other topics with more specialized content than normal course offerings.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division Political Science majors or consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper 1 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 196E — Seminar in Research Methods (4 units)
Course Description: Intensive reading, discussion, research, and writing in selected topics in Research Methods such as research design, statistics, game theory, etc.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division Political Science majors or consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper 1 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 1 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Visual Literacy (VL); Writing Experience (WE).
POL 197T — Tutoring in Political Science (1-5 units)
Course Description: Tutor responsibilities such as attending class, offering a guest lecture on a select topic, assisting in group discussions, hosting consultation or review sessions, or assisting instructor with assignments (though not grading).
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Tutorial.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to POL, PPS, and IRE majors only.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 10 unit(s) with consent of instructor.
- Grade Mode: Passed/Not Passed Only.
- General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to POL, PPS, and IRE majors only.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 10 unit(s) with consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Passed/Not Passed Only.
General Education: Social Sciences (SS).
POL 198 — Directed Group Study (1-5 units)
This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Directed group study.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; upper division standing.
- Learning Activities: Variable.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service and International Relations majors only.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated for credit when topic differs or with consent of instructor.
- Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
POL 198 — Directed Group Study (1-5 units)
- Course Description: Directed group study. May be taught abroad.
- Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; upper division standing.
- Learning Activities: Variable.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service and International Relations majors only.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated for credit when topic differs or with consent of instructor.
- Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
- This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service and International Relations majors only.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated for credit when topic differs or with consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
POL 198 — Directed Group Study (1-5 units)
Course Description: Directed group study. May be taught abroad.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; upper division standing.
Learning Activities: Variable.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to Political Science, Political Science-Public Service and International Relations majors only.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated for credit when topic differs or with consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2024.
POL 199 — Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates (1-5 units)
Course Description: Special study for advanced undergraduates.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of Instructor; upper division standing.
- Learning Activities: Variable.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to POL, PPS, and IRE majors only.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated for 15 unit(s), when topic differs or with consent of instructor.
- Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to POL, PPS, and IRE majors only.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated for 15 unit(s), when topic differs or with consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
POL 201 — Urban Government & Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Survey and analysis of the literature in the field of local government and politics in the United States. Approaches to the study of political reform, local autonomy, community power, representation, expertise, service delivery, policy making and political change.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 202 — American State Government & Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Survey and analysis of the literature in the field of state government, politics, and policy. Approaches to the study of the American states as political systems, including their governing institutions and processes and their role in the Federal system.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 203A — American Government: The Presidency (4 units)
Course Description: Thorough overview of the current research on political executives, with particular emphasis on the American presidency. Two principal goals: the development of important and innovative student research programs; and adequate preparation for qualifying examinations.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 203B — American Government: Congress (4 units)
Course Description: Thorough overview of the current research on Congress, with particular emphasis on political representation. Two principal goals: the development of important and innovative student research programs; and adequate preparation for qualifying examinations.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 203C — American Government: Courts (4 units)
Course Description: Survey and analysis of the literature in the field of American government with a focus on courts. Emphasis on the development and testing of theories of behavior and processes.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 207 — Environmental Public Policy (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of the interface between the world of academic reflection about ecological and environmental problems and the world of political action. Evaluation of alternative approaches to policy analysis and recommendation. Individual research, including field research, will parallel discussion of the literature.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 208 — Policy Analysis (4 units)
Course Description: Social science techniques applied to public policy formation and evaluation.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 209 — The American Political System (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of selected theoretical and empirical issues posed by contemporary research in American government and politics.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 210 — Research Design in Political Science (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to philosophy of science and research design for political science. Topics include: logic of empirical research, overview of research design approaches for political science research.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Discussion/Laboratory 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 211 — Research Methods in Political Science (4 units)
Course Description: Introductory seminar on the foundations of probability theory and mathematical statistics that are critical to empirical investigations in political science.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Discussion/Laboratory 1 hour(s).
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to graduate majors; Pass Two open to graduate students.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to graduate majors; Pass Two open to graduate students.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 212 — Quantitative Analysis in Political Science I (4 units)
Course Description: Seminar provides an introduction to the linear regression model. Will obtain a working knowledge of basic regression techniques and problems.
Prerequisite(s): POL 211.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Discussion/Laboratory 1 hour(s).
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to graduate majors; Pass Two open to graduate students.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to graduate majors; Pass Two open to graduate students.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 213 — Quantitative Analysis in Political Science II (4 units)
Course Description: More advanced topics in the use of statistical methods, with emphasis on political applications. Topics include: properties of least squares estimates, problems in multiple regression, and advanced topics (probit analysis, simultaneous models, time-series analysis, etc.).
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to graduate majors; pass 2 open to graduate students.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to graduate majors; pass 2 open to graduate students.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 214A — Research in Political Science (4 units)
Course Description: Research seminar sequence required of all PhD students. Design, execution, and defense of an original piece of research in political science, culminating in a paper of publishable quality.
Prerequisite(s): POL 213.
- Learning Activities: Discussion 2 hour(s), Lecture 1 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Advanced level graduate students in the Department of Political Science only.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Advanced level graduate students in the Department of Political Science only.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 214B — Research in Political Science (4 units)
Course Description: Research seminar sequence required of all PhD students. Design, execution, and defense of an original piece of research in political science, culminating in a paper of publishable quality.
- Learning Activities: Discussion 2 hour(s), Lecture 1 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Advanced level graduate students in the Department of Political Science only.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Advanced level graduate students in the Department of Political Science only.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 215 — Introduction to Modeling Political Behavior (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to formal and game theoretic analyses of politics. Students will learn basic game theory and modeling skills. We examine the benefits of modeling, and look at examples of formal analysis in a variety of political science sub-fields.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to graduate majors; pass 2 open to graduate students.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to graduate majors; pass 2 open to graduate students.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 216 — Qualitative Research Methods (4 units)
Course Description: Methodology for utilizing theoretically-oriented case studies and controlled comparison of a small number of cases to develop and test theories. Examination of how the case study method compliments experimental, statistical and deductive modes of research.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 217 — Social Choice Theory & Spatial Modeling (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to social choice theory and formal spatial modeling including Arrows Theorem, the paradox of voting, cycling and agenda control. Focus on mastering modeling techniques as well as interpretation of classic works.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 218 — Topics in Political Theory (4 units)
Course Description: Topics vary and may be the work of a single theorist, time period, or political concept, such as justice.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 3 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 3 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 219A — Political Theory Sequence (4 units)
Course Description: Survey of the great works in ancient and medieval political theory including such writers as Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, St. Augustine, Aquinas, Alfarabi and Marsilius. Discussions of various interpretations of these authors.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 219B — Political Theory Sequence (4 units)
Course Description: Survey of the great works in early modern to contemporary political theory including such writers as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, Mill, Nietzsche, and Rawls. Discussion of various interpretations of these authors.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 219C — Contemporary Political Theory (4 units)
Course Description: Survey of important works in contemporary political theory including such writers as Nietzsche, Heidegger, Arendt, Rawls, Nozick, Sandel.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper 1 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 220 — Seminar in Political Theory (4 units)
Course Description: Introduction to political theory and current debates over its study. Readings from and textual interpretations of political theory including the Federalist Papers and major works by thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Rawls. Other readings addressing issues of textual interpretation.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students only.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students only.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 223 — International Relations (4 units)
Course Description: International relations.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 224 — International Security (4 units)
Course Description: Contemporary scholarship on issues related to international conflict and political violence, with particular emphasis on how current trends in globalization and governance affect global security.
Prerequisite(s): POL 223; consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 225 — The International System (4 units)
Course Description: Analysis of the international system by means of theory formulation and integration; critique of research designs; use of various techniques of data generation and analysis.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 226 — Seminar in International Political Economy (4 units)
Course Description: Research in international political economy. Structure of the global economy, as well as specific dimensions of international economic relations, including trade, capital flows, global production structures, and migration.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 230 — American Foreign Policy (4 units)
Course Description: American foreign policy.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 231 — U.S. Political Culture & Foreign Relations (4 units)
Course Description: Relates U.S. political culture to formulation of foreign policy. Analyzes American ideological preferences in historical perspective, contemporary public opinion, decision making and implementation. Concludes by examining linkages between foreign policy behavior and democratic process.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 241 — Communist Political Systems (4 units)
Course Description: Systematic analysis of selected topics dealing with the political process of communist political systems.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 242 — Seminar in Comparative Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Systematic survey of theories and methods used in the study of comparative politics.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 243 — Comparative Institutional Change (4 units)
Course Description: Comparison of institutional changes in countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe during the period of transition to democracy. Special attention to institutions of mass representation; electoral and party systems and national legislatures.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 246 — Policymaking in Third-World Societies (4 units)
Course Description: Included in an analysis of policymaking process in Third-World countries are such topics as political resources, institutional resources, decision making, resource allocations, planning, and budgeting, implementation, and distribution of world resources.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 250 — Policy Development & Impact in U.S. Courts (4 units)
Course Description: Thorough overview of the literature regarding courts as policymaking institutions of government, with emphasis on the formation and implementation of judicial policy. Differences and similarities across the judicial, congressional, and executive branch policy processes.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 260 — Political Parties (4 units)
Course Description: Survey of selected topics in American and comparative parties.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 261 — Political Behavior (4 units)
Course Description: Survey of selected topics in political behavior and public opinion.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 3 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 3 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 274 — Political Economy (4 units)
Course Description: Politics of economic policy as reflected in taxation, spending and regulation; impact of prices, employment, and growth on political demands; government responses to economic conditions; electoral politics and the political business cycle.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 279 — Political Networks: Methods & Applications (4 units)
Course Description: Structure of political networks, socio-matrices and affiliation networks; general networks characteristics: density, centralization, polarization, interdependence, dyadic and triadic characteristics: structural and role equivalence; subsets of networks: cliques, blocks and bloc modeling; characteristics of individuals in networks: centrality and prestige.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 280 — Bayesian Methods: for Social & Behavioral Sciences (4 units)
Course Description: Methodology seminar introducing Bayesian quantitative methods to issues and problems in political science and other social and behavioral sciences.
Prerequisite(s): POL 212; or equivalent to course.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to graduate majors only; Pass Two open to graduate students.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One open to graduate majors only; Pass Two open to graduate students.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 281 — Statistical Computing Issues in Political Science (4 units)
Course Description: Methodology seminar introducing computing issues in empirical models for political science and other social and behavioral sciences.
Prerequisite(s): POL 213; or equivalent to course.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Discussion/Laboratory 1 hour(s).
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate standing.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate standing.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 282 — Advanced Modeling of Political Behavior (4 units)
Course Description: Applications of formal theory to political science. Review of relevant contributions in other social sciences. Consideration of advanced techniques in game theory. Rational and behavioral approaches.
Prerequisite(s): POL 215; or equivalent to course.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper 1 hour(s).
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate standing or with instructors permission.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate standing or with instructors permission.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 283 — Organizational Behavior (4 units)
Course Description: Organizational behavior as it relates to public sector decision making.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 284 — Advanced Network Analysis (4 units)
Course Description: Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMS) of networks, game theoretic models of network formation and network dynamics, diffusion processes, shocks and network collapse, percolation, cross-network spillover processes, social and political applications of advanced network models.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 285 — Statistics of Causal Inference in Political Science (4 units)
Course Description: Approaches to causal inference using the potential outcomes framework, with political science applications using observational and experimental data. Covers several prominent causal research designs used for studying politics.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s); Term Paper.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 290A — Research in American Government & Public Policy (4 units)
Course Description: Special research seminar on problems and issues in the study of American government and public policy.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 6 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 6 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 290B — Research in Political Theory (4 units)
Course Description: Special research seminar on problems and issues in the study of political theory.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 6 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 6 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 290C — Research in International Relations (4 units)
Course Description: Special research seminar on select problems and issues in the study of international relations.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 6 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 6 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 290D — Research in Judicial Politics (4 units)
Course Description: Contemporary research on judicial politics, judicial institutions, jurisprudence, and judicial behavior.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Political Science or consent of instructor.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 290E — Research in Political Parties, Politics, & Political Behavior (4 units)
Course Description: Special research seminar on selected problems and issues in the study of political parties, politics, and political behavior.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 4 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 290F — Research in Comparative Government & Policy (4 units)
Course Description: Special research seminar on select problems and issues in the study of comparative government and policy.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 6 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to graduate students only.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 6 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 290G — Research in Methodology (4 units)
Course Description: Special research seminar on selected problems and issues in methods in political science.
Prerequisite(s): POL 212.
- Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Term Paper.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated 3 time(s) when topic differs.
- Grade Mode: Letter.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated 3 time(s) when topic differs.
Grade Mode: Letter.
POL 297 — Internships in Political Science (2 units)
Course Description: Application and evaluation of theoretical concepts through work experience or systematic observation in public and political agencies.
Prerequisite(s): Open only to persons who have internships or other positions in governmental agencies, political parties, etc.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 2 hour(s).
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
- Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
POL 298 — Group Study (1-5 units)
Course Description: Group study.
- Learning Activities: Variable.
- Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
POL 299 — Research (1-12 units)
Course Description: Research.
- Learning Activities: Variable.
- Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
POL 299D — Research (1-12 units)
Course Description: Research.
- Learning Activities: Variable.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
- Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
POL 390 — The Teaching of Political Science (1 unit)
Course Description: Methods and problems of teaching political science at the undergraduate level.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate student standing in Political Science.
- Learning Activities: Seminar 1 hour(s).
- Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
POL 396 — Teaching Assistant Training Practicum (1-4 units)
Course Description: Teaching assistant training.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.
- Learning Activities: Variable.
- Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
- Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.