Political Science
Division: Humanities and Social Sciences
Phone: (650) 306-3336
Office: 3-205
Email: canhumanities@smccd.edu
Counseling:
Schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor at the Counseling
Center, Building 9, 1st Floor, 650-306-3452. Appointments are
available during day and evening hours.
Political Science Department Home Page
- Associate in Arts - Political Science
- Associate in Arts - Political Science With Emphasis in Pre-Law
- Associate in Arts with Transfer Statu s- Political Science with Emphasis in Pre-Law
- Associate in Arts - Political Science With Emphasis in Public Administration and Service
- Associate in Arts with Transfer Status - Political Science With Emphasis in Public Administration and Service
Political science is the study of governments, public policies and political processes, systems, and political behavior. Political science subfields include political theory, political economy, policy studies and analysis, comparative politics, international relations, pre-law and a host of related fields. Political scientists use both humanistic and scientific perspectives and tools and a variety of methodological approaches to examine the process, systems, and political dynamics of all countries and regions of the world.
A bachelor's degree in political science can lead to exciting careers in federal, state and local governments; law; business; international organizations; nonprofit associations and organizations; campaign management and polling; journalism; precollegiate education; electoral politics; research and university and college teaching.
Political science majors gain analytical skills, administrative competence and communication abilities that are valued in a wide spectrum of potential career areas.
ASSOCIATE IN ARTS - POLITICAL SCIENCE
| Complete Core Courses, 9 units | Units |
|---|---|
| Course Descriptions: PLSC | ANTH | HIST | PHIL | |
| PLSC 130 International Relations | 3 |
| PLSC 150 Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| PLSC 170 Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Selective courses: choose a minimum of 12 units from the following: Complete a minimum of 3 units from the following courses: |
|
PLSC 210 American Politics |
3 5 |
| Complete a minimum of 9 units from the following courses: | |
| ANTH 110 Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| HIST 100 History of Western Civilization I or HIST 101 History of Western Civilization II |
3 |
| HIST 201 United States History I or HIST 202 United States History II |
3 |
| PHIL 300 Introduction to World Religions |
3 |
| PLSC 103 Critical Thinking about World Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 320 Latin American Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 325 Honors Colloquium in Political Science: Politics & Religion | 1 |
| Associate Degree Unit Requirements Total | 21* |
* and required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.
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ASSOCIATE IN ARTS - POLITICAL SCIENCE With Emphasis in Pre-Law
The Pre-Law Emphasis prepares students interested in entering law school by exposing them to subject matter (government, critical/logical thinking, economics and ethics) that has a legal studies focus.
| Complete Core Courses, 9 units | Units |
|---|---|
| Course Descriptions PLSC | BUS. | PHIL | PSYC | |
| PLSC 130 International Relations | 3 |
| PLSC 150 Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| PLSC 170 Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Selective courses: choose a minimum of 12 units from the following: Complete a minimum of 3 units from the following courses: |
|
| PLSC 210 American Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 200 National, State and Local Governments | 5 |
| Complete a minimum of 9 units from the following courses: | |
| PLSC 310 California State and Local Government or PLSC 200 National, State and Local Governments |
3 5 |
| BUS 201 Business Law | 3 |
| PHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| PSYC 106 Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination | 3 |
| Associate Degree Major Unit Requirements Total | 21 or 23 |
| Associate Degree General Education Unit Requirements Total | 21 |
| Associate Degree Elective Unit Requirements Total | 14 or 16 |
| Associate Degree Physical Education Unit Requirements Total | 2 |
| Associate Degree Unit Requirements Total |
60 |
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ASSOCIATE IN ARTS - POLITICAL SCIENCE With Emphasis in Public Administration and Service
The Public Administration and Service emphasis provides a concentration of coursework in American political institutions, public policy and administrative processes. Students are introduced to knowledge and skills associated with managerial career positions in government. The combination of courses is geared toward promoting change - politically, economically and socially through the exploration of how laws and regulations are made as well as who influences public policy.
| Complete Core Courses, 9 units |
Units |
|---|---|
| Course Descriptions: PLCS | ACTG | ECON | MATH | |
| PLSC 130 International Relations | 3 |
| PLSC 150 Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| PLSC 170 Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Selective courses: choose a minimum of 16 units from the following: Complete a minimum of 3 units from the following courses: |
|
| PLSC 210 American Politics |
3 |
| PLSC 200 National, State and Local Governments | 5 |
| Complete a minimum of 13 units from the following courses: | |
| ACTG 121 Financial Accounting | 4 |
| PLSC 310 California State and Local Government or PLSC 200 National, State and Local Governments |
3 5 |
| ECON 100 Principles of Macro Economics | 3 |
| ECON 102 Principles of Micro Economics | 3 |
| MATH 200 Elementary Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| Associate Degree Major Unit Requirements Total |
25 or 27 |
| Associate Degree General Education Unit Requirements Total | 21 |
| Associate Degree Elective Unit Requirements Total | 16 |
| Associate Degree Physical Education Unit Requirements Total | 2 |
| Associate Degree Unit Requirements Total | 60 |
Degree Units Totals with TRANSFER STATUS
| Associate in Arts with Transfer Status - Political Science With Emphasis in Pre-Law | |
| Associate Degree Major Unit Requirements Total | 21 or 23 |
| CSU GE or IGETC Unit Requirements Total | 37-43 |
| Associate in Arts with Transfer Status - Political Science With Emphasis in Public Administration and Service | |
| Associate Degree Major Unit Requirements Total | 25 or 27 |
| CSU GE or IGETC Unit Requirements Total | 37-43 |
Cañada College offers lower division coursework required for transfer in Political Science. Students should use PROJECT ASSIST (www.assist.org) to research lower division major requirements at the transfer destination(s) of their choice. To ensure that students’ Associate in Arts Degree General Education and Elective course choices also fulfill CSU GE /IGETC unit requirements for transfer, students should work with a Counselor/Advisor to determine appropriate transfer coursework.
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Page updated 6/14/10
