Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Political Science

Political Science

The study of political science and international relations involves not only the examination of the structure of government and political systems but the examination of the interaction of individuals and institutions within those systems. These courses offer valuable insight into events on the local, state, national and international levels and they also encourage involvement of the citizenry.

Degrees Offered

A.A.-T. in Political Science

Dean Emilie Mitchell
Department Chair Martin Morales
Phone (916) 691-7114
Email moralem@crc.losrios.edu

Associate Degree for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Political Science

The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Political Science provides a clearly articulated curricular track for students who wish to transfer to a UC or CSU campus, while also serving the diverse needs of students interested in the breadth and depth of the field of Political Science. Additionally, this degree exposes students to the core principles and practices of the field in order to build a foundation for their future personal, academic, or vocational paths.

Note: It is highly recommended that students consider an internship offered by a participating agency or department.

The Associate in Arts degree in Political Science for Transfer provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. The Associate in Arts degree in Political Science for Transfer (AA-T) may be obtained by the completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program outlined below (earning a C or better in these courses, or a P if taken pass/no pass) and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) requirements.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
POLS C1000	American Government and Politics (3)	3
or POLS C1000H	American Government and Politics - Honors (3)
POLS 302	Comparative Politics	3
POLS 310	Introduction to International Relations	3
POLS 320	Introduction to Political Theory	3
POLS 382	Statistics for Social Science	3
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
POLS 312	Politics of the Middle East (3)
POLS 313	Latin America (3)
POLS 314	Modern Europe and the Unification Process (3)
POLS 315	Pacific Rim (3)
POLS 317	Global Studies: Africa (3)
POLS 318	Global Studies: Central Asia (3)
POLS 319	Global Studies: Southeast Asia (3)
POLS 324	Revolutions & Ideologies (3)
Total Units:		18

The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

Describe the fundamentals of political science and governance. (PSLO 1)
Compare and contrast contemporary comparative systems and governance. (PSLO 2)
Evaluate the relationship between the governing process and public policy. (PSLO 3)
Examine how citizen and interest group participation influence political systems. (PSLO 4)
Analyze the role of culture and its influence on politics. (PSLO 5)
Assess how the design of political institutions and processes affect policy and stability. (PSLO 6)
Analyze politics and diplomacy in the international system. (PSLO 7)
Apply basic research methods to political science. (PSLO 8)
Analyze political and public policy making processes, and relate these to current issues and problems, for evaluating political events and their role in the political system. (PSLO 9)
Compare and contrast various theories of justice and the just state. (PSLO 10)
Evaluate various theories of the purpose of government and apply to a critical analysis of current political events. (PSLO 11)

Career Information

Career opportunities in political science include, but are not limited to, advocate/organizer, campaign worker, diplomat, educator/teacher, events planner, foreign affairs specialist, lawyer, legislative aide (state and federal), lobbyist, political consultant, and public relations specialist.

Political Science (POLS) Courses

POLS C1000 American Government and Politics

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGL C1000 or C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300 and 480) with a grade of "C" or better.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
C-ID:C-ID POLS 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course was formerly known as POLS 301 Introduction to Government: United States.

POLS 302 Comparative Politics

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGL C1000
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
C-ID:C-ID POLS 130
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is a comparative study and analysis of political systems, ideologies, institutions, policies, cultures, histories, and the development of selected foreign governments. Special emphasis is placed on the cultural and social dimensions of political behavior and attitudes in connection with governmental and political practices typical of particular geographical regions. Coverage includes an examination of selected developed and lesser developed nation-states from a global perspective.

POLS 304 Introduction to Government: California

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGL C1000
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers the essential organization, institutions, and processes of California state and local government. It fulfills the California State University requirement for state and local government, but not the requirement for the U.S. Constitution.

POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGL C1000
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
C-ID:C-ID POLS 140
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is an introduction to international relations and a survey of the nation-state system, techniques of interaction, the issue of war, nationalism, power alignments, international actors, transnational movements, diplomacy, political economy, and perceptions in world politics. Particular emphasis is placed on an analysis of the world outlook of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the United States, the major western allies, China, and the lesser developed world.