http://www.pacific.edu/Academics/Schools-and-Colleges/College-of-the-Pacific/Academics/Departments-and-Programs/Political-Science.html
Phone: (209) 946-2524
Location: 212 Wendell Phillips Center
Keith Smith, Chair
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts
Majors Offered
Political Science
Political Science - Criminal Justice Concentration
Political Science with Departmental Honors
Political Science with Departmental Honors- Criminal Justice Concentration
Political Science/Master of Public Policy Blended Program
Political Science - Criminal Justice Concentration/Master of Public Policy Blended Program
Political Science with Departmental Honors/Master of Public Policy Blended Program
Political Science with Departmental Honors- Criminal Justice Concentration/Master of Public Policy Blended Program
Minors Offered
Political Science
Pre-Law
Public Affairs
Political Science explains and evaluates politics and government—from our local communities to around the world.
Our students and faculty explore foundational ideas like equality, freedom, power, justice, and democracy. We examine how our identities affect our political beliefs and actions. We study institutions like Congress, the Supreme Court, and the United Nations. We investigate who votes, how governments work, and why countries go to war. We evaluate policies like elections administration, health care, global environmental policy, and criminal justice.
Political Science students put their knowledge into practice, improving their communities. They are members of Pacific’s nationally ranked Speech & Debate team. They lead Pacific’s student government and the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
Our graduates can be found in governmental agencies, law firms, advocacy groups, and legislative offices across the nation. They work in law enforcement, teach in high schools and universities, manage businesses, and lead community groups. They even hold political office.
Wherever life takes you, studying Political Science will empower you to be a public leader, with the tools to create a more just and equitable world.
Our Majors and Minors
Political Science: Preparing you for careers in government, law, policy, and politics, the Political Science (POLS) major invites you to explore a variety of topics in five subfields: Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, Public Law, and U.S. Government & Politics. In each, you will encounter issues that animate political debate around the world.
Political Science – Criminal Justice Concentration: Preparing you for careers in criminal justice, social justice, law enforcement, and social services, the Criminal Justice concentration focuses on the institutions, laws, and politics of the U.S. criminal justice system.
Blended Political Science BA & Master of Public Policy: Earn your bachelors plus a Master of Public Policy from Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law in just five years. Students in this program graduate well equipped for careers in governmental service, the non-profit sector, and for-profit companies that work with government.
Graduate with Departmental Honors! Maintain a 3.5+ GPA and earn at least a B+ on your capstone project, and you can graduate with Departmental Honors. If interested, talk with your faculty advisor.
Political Science Minor: An overview of Political Science and its subfields; for students in other majors interested in government and politics.
Pre-Law Minor: An introduction to the study and practice of law in the United States; for students in any major considering a career in the legal profession or who just want to know more about how the courts work.
Public Affairs Minor: An interdisciplinary minor for students in any major who want to learn more about and affect the policy choices that governments make (for example, in health or environmental policy).
Career Opportunities
The skills and experiences developed through a Political Science program are central to a great variety of career fields, and our majors go on to work as journalists and lawyers, managers and teachers, politicians and administrators. One out of every six Americans now works for one level of public government or another, and Political Science majors can have a head start in such fields because of their understanding of how these systems work. Many of our graduates go on to law school, and Political Science serves as an ideal major for that training, as well as essential preparation for graduate study.
Internships
Special opportunities are provided for internships in public agencies in Stockton, Sacramento, and in Washington, D.C. (as well as abroad). Many of these opportunities have a legal focus. Course credit may be earned for these internships.
Pre-Law Program
The Department of Political Science also offers a program and minor in Pre-Law. For a complete description of that program, please see the section on Cross-Disciplinary Majors and Programs.
The Pacific Legal Scholars Program offers honors students in various majors a richly supported accelerated path leading to Pacific McGeorge Law School after three years on Pacific’s Stockton campus. For a complete description of that program, please see the section on Cross-Disciplinary Majors and Programs.
Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science
Students must complete a minimum of 120 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 2.0 in order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in political science.
I. General Education Requirements
For more details, see General Education
Minimum 28 units and 9 courses that include:
A. CORE Seminars (2 courses)
| CORE 001 | Problem Solving & Oral Comm | 3 |
| CORE 002 | Writing and Critical Thinking | 4 |
Note: 1) CORE Seminars cannot be taken for Pass/No Credit. 2) Transfer students with 28 or more transfer credits taken after high school are exempt from both CORE seminars. Students participating in the First Year Honors Program should complete an honors section of CORE 001 regardless of the number of college transfer units completed.
B. Breadth Requirement (7 courses, at least 3 units each)
| At least one course from each of the following areas: | ||
Artistic Process & Creation | ||
Civic & Global Responsibility | ||
Language & Narratives | ||
Quantitative Reasoning | ||
Scientific Inquiry | ||
Social Inquiry | ||
World Perspectives & Ethics | ||
Note: 1) No more than 2 courses from a single discipline can be used to meet the Breadth Requirement.
C. Diversity and Inclusion Requirement
| All students must complete Diversity and Inclusion coursework (at least 3 units) | ||
Note: 1) Diversity and Inclusion courses can also be used to meet the breadth category requirements, or major or minor requirements.
D. Fundamental Skills
| Students must demonstrate competence in: | ||
Writing | ||
Quantitative Analysis (Math) | ||
Note: 1) Failure to satisfy the fundamental skills requirements by the end of four semesters of full-time study at the University is grounds for academic disqualification.
II. College of the Pacific BA Requirement
Students must complete one year of college instruction or equivalent training in a language other than English.
Note: 1) Transfer students with sophomore standing are exempt from this requirement.
III. Breadth Requirement
Students must complete 60 units outside the primary discipline of the first major, regardless of the department who offers the course(s) in that discipline. (Courses include general education courses, transfer courses, CPCE/EXTN units, internships, etc.)
IV. Major Requirements
Minimum 14 courses that include:
| All of the following Foundations courses | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
or POLS 151 | Principles of Comparative Politics | |
| Introduction to Political Theory | ||
| U.S. Government and Politics | ||
or POLS 031 | Introduction to Law and Politics in the American Political System | |
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| One (1) of the following Research Methods courses | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Political Science Research | ||
| One (1) of the following Career Orientation courses | ||
| Cross-Cultural Training I * | ||
| Career and Internship Preparation | ||
| Minimum 3 units from the following Experiential Learning courses: ** | 3-4 | |
| Political Science Internship | ||
or POLS 187B | Political Science Internship | |
| Pre-Law Internship | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Washington Semester Internship | ||
| At least six (6) upper-division Political Science Courses (100-180), with at least one course from four (4) of the following subfields: | ||
| U.S. Government & Politics | ||
| POLS 104 | Urban Government | 4 |
| POLS 106 | California Government and Politics | 4 |
| POLS 111 | Introduction to Health Policy | 4 |
| POLS 112 | Congress and the Presidency | 4 |
| POLS 113 | Race and Politics | 4 |
| POLS 114 | Political Parties and Interest Groups | 4 |
| POLS 116 | Campaigns and Elections | 4 |
| POLS 117 | Controversies in U.S. Government & Politics | 4 |
| POLS 119 | Government in Action: Public Policy Analysis | 4 |
| POLS 128 | Introduction to Public Administration | 4 |
| Public Law | ||
| POLS 120 | Courts and Judicial Behavior | 4 |
| POLS 122 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| POLS 124 | Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | 4 |
| POLS 126 | Criminal Law | 4 |
| POLS 127 | Controversies in Law | 4 |
| Political Theory | ||
| POLS 130 | Ancient to Medieval Political Theory | 4 |
| POLS 132 | Modern to Contemporary Political Theory | 4 |
| POLS 134 | American Political Thought | 4 |
| POLS 136 | Jurisprudence | 4 |
| POLS 137 | Controversies in Political Theory | 4 |
| POLS 138 | Feminist Theory | 4 |
| Comparative Politics | ||
| POLS 141 | Western European Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POLS 147 | Controversies in Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POLS 151 | Principles of Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POLS 152 | Politics of Asia | 4 |
| POLS 156 | Immigration and Justice | 4 |
| POLS 174 | Global Environmental Policy | 4 |
| International Relations | ||
| POLS 160 | Theories of International Politics | 4 |
| POLS 164 | International Political Economy | 4 |
| POLS 166 | Causes of War | 4 |
| POLS 167 | Controversies in International Relations | 4 |
| POLS 170 | U.S. Foreign Policy | 4 |
| The following Capstone course | ||
| Capstone Seminar | ||
- *
Only students who participate in an approved study-abroad program may take INTL 151—Cross-Cultural Training I
- **
Students may meet the Political Science major's experiential learning requirement by participating in an approved education abroad program. Any SABD (education abroad) course may be used to satisfy the experiential learning requirement.
Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science - Criminal Justice Concentration
Students must complete a minimum of 120 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 2.0 in order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in political science - criminal justice concentration.
I. General Education Requirements
For more details, see General Education
Minimum 28 units and 9 courses that include:
A. CORE Seminars (2 courses)
| CORE 001 | Problem Solving & Oral Comm | 3 |
| CORE 002 | Writing and Critical Thinking | 4 |
Note: 1) CORE Seminars cannot be taken for Pass/No Credit. 2) Transfer students with 28 or more transfer credits taken after high school are exempt from both CORE seminars. Students participating in the First Year Honors Program should complete an honors section of CORE 001 regardless of the number of college transfer units completed.
B. Breadth Requirement (7 courses, at least 3 units each)
| At least one course from each of the following areas: | ||
Artistic Process & Creation | ||
Civic & Global Responsibility | ||
Language & Narratives | ||
Quantitative Reasoning | ||
Scientific Inquiry | ||
Social Inquiry | ||
World Perspectives & Ethics | ||
Note: 1) No more than 2 courses from a single discipline can be used to meet the Breadth Requirement.
C. Diversity and Inclusion Requirement
| All students must complete Diversity and Inclusion coursework (at least 3 units) | ||
Note: 1) Diversity and Inclusion courses can also be used to meet the breadth category requirements, or major or minor requirements.
D. Fundamental Skills
| Students must demonstrate competence in: | ||
Writing | ||
Quantitative Analysis (Math) | ||
Note: 1) Failure to satisfy the fundamental skills requirements by the end of four semesters of full-time study at the University is grounds for academic disqualification.
II. College of the Pacific BA Requirement
Students must complete one year of college instruction or equivalent training in a language other than English.
Note: 1) Transfer students with sophomore standing are exempt from this requirement.
III. Breadth Requirement
Students must complete 60 units outside the primary discipline of the first major, regardless of the department who offers the course(s) in that discipline. (Courses include general education courses, transfer courses, CPCE/EXTN units, internships, etc.)
IV. Major Requirements
Minimum 14 courses that include:
| All of the following Foundations courses | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
or POLS 151 | Principles of Comparative Politics | |
| Introduction to Political Theory | ||
| Introduction to Law and Politics in the American Political System | ||
or POLS 041 | U.S. Government and Politics | |
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| One (1) of the following Research Methods courses | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Political Science Research | ||
| One (1) of the following Career Orientation courses | ||
| Cross-Cultural Training I | ||
| Career and Internship Preparation | ||
| Minimum 3 units from the following Experiential Learning courses:** | ||
| Political Science Internship | ||
or POLS 187B | Political Science Internship | |
| Pre-Law Internship | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Washington Semester Internship | ||
| At least two (2) of the following Legal Studies courses: | ||
| Courts and Judicial Behavior | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Jurisprudence | ||
| At least one (1) of the following Sociology courses: | ||
| Deviant Behavior | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Introduction to Social Services | ||
| Corrections | ||
| Diversity, Equity and Inequality | ||
| At least two (2) additional upper-division Political Science courses (100-180) | ||
| At least one (1) of the upper-division Political Science courses must also be from the following set of Diversity courses: | ||
| Urban Government | ||
| Race and Politics | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Immigration and Justice | ||
| The following Capstone course | ||
| Capstone Seminar | ||
- *
Only students who participate in an approved study-abroad program may take INTL 151—Cross-Cultural Training I
- **
Students may meet the Political Science major's experiential learning requirement by participating in an approved education abroad program. Any SABD (education abroad) course may be used to satisfy the experiential learning requirement.
Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science with Departmental Honors
Students must complete a minimum of 120 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 3.5 in order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in political science with departmental honors.
I. General Education Requirements
For more details, see General Education
Minimum 28 units and 9 courses that include:
A. CORE Seminars (2 courses)
| CORE 001 | Problem Solving & Oral Comm | 3 |
| CORE 002 | Writing and Critical Thinking | 4 |
Note: 1) CORE Seminars cannot be taken for Pass/No Credit. 2) Transfer students with 28 or more transfer credits taken after high school are exempt from both CORE seminars. Students participating in the First Year Honors Program should complete an honors section of CORE 001 regardless of the number of college transfer units completed.
B. Breadth Requirement (7 courses, at least 3 units each)
| At least one course from each of the following areas: | ||
Artistic Process & Creation | ||
Civic & Global Responsibility | ||
Language & Narratives | ||
Quantitative Reasoning | ||
Scientific Inquiry | ||
Social Inquiry | ||
World Perspectives & Ethics | ||
Note: 1) No more than 2 courses from a single discipline can be used to meet the Breadth Requirement.
C. Diversity and Inclusion Requirement
| All students must complete Diversity and Inclusion coursework (at least 3 units) | ||
Note: 1) Diversity and Inclusion courses can also be used to meet the breadth category requirements, or major or minor requirements.
D. Fundamental Skills
| Students must demonstrate competence in: | ||
Writing | ||
Quantitative Analysis (Math) | ||
Note: 1) Failure to satisfy the fundamental skills requirements by the end of four semesters of full-time study at the University is grounds for academic disqualification.
II. College of the Pacific BA Requirement
Students must complete one year of college instruction or equivalent training in a language other than English.
Note: 1) Transfer students with sophomore standing are exempt from this requirement.
III. Breadth Requirement
Students must complete 60 units outside the primary discipline of the first major, regardless of the department who offers the course(s) in that discipline. (Courses include general education courses, transfer courses, CPCE/EXTN units, internships, etc.)
IV. Major Requirements
Minimum 14 courses that include:
| All of the following Foundations courses | ||
| POLS 011 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 4 |
| or POLS 151 | Principles of Comparative Politics | |
| POLS 021 | Introduction to Political Theory | 4 |
| POLS 041 | U.S. Government and Politics | 4 |
| or POLS 031 | Introduction to Law and Politics in the American Political System | |
| POLS 051 | Introduction to International Relations | 4 |
| One (1) of the following Research Methods courses | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Political Science Research | ||
| One (1) of the following Career Orientation courses | ||
| Cross-Cultural Training I * | ||
| Career and Internship Preparation | ||
| Minimum 3 units from the following Experiential Learning courses:** | ||
| Political Science Internship | ||
or POLS 187B | Political Science Internship | |
| Pre-Law Internship | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Washington Semester Internship | ||
| At least six (6) upper-division Political Science Courses (100-180), with at least one course from four (4) of the following subfields: | ||
| US Government and Politics | ||
| Urban Government | ||
| California Government and Politics | ||
| Introduction to Health Policy | ||
| Congress and the Presidency | ||
| Race and Politics | ||
| Political Parties and Interest Groups | ||
| Campaigns and Elections | ||
| Controversies in U.S. Government & Politics | ||
| Government in Action: Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Public Law | ||
| Courts and Judicial Behavior | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Controversies in Law | ||
| Political Theory | ||
| Ancient to Medieval Political Theory | ||
| Modern to Contemporary Political Theory | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Jurisprudence | ||
| Controversies in Political Theory | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Western European Comparative Politics | ||
| Controversies in Comparative Politics | ||
| Principles of Comparative Politics | ||
| Politics of Asia | ||
| Immigration and Justice | ||
| Global Environmental Policy | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Theories of International Politics | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Causes of War | ||
| Controversies in International Relations | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
| The following Capstone course | ||
| Capstone Seminar *** | ||
- *
Only students who participate in an approved study-abroad program may take INTL 151—Cross-Cultural Training I
- **
Students may meet the Political Science major's experiential learning requirement by participating in an approved education abroad program. Any SABD (education abroad) course may be used to satisfy the experiential learning requirement.
- ***
The capstone project must be completed individually and receive a minimum grade of B+.
Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science - Criminal Justice Concentration with Departmental Honors
Students must complete a minimum of 120 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 3.5 in order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in political science - criminal justice concentration with departmental honors.
I. General Education Requirements
For more details, see General Education
Minimum 28 units and 9 courses that include:
A. CORE Seminars (2 courses)
| CORE 001 | Problem Solving & Oral Comm | 3 |
| CORE 002 | Writing and Critical Thinking | 4 |
Note: 1) CORE Seminars cannot be taken for Pass/No Credit. 2) Transfer students with 28 or more transfer credits taken after high school are exempt from both CORE seminars. Students participating in the First Year Honors Program should complete an honors section of CORE 001 regardless of the number of college transfer units completed.
B. Breadth Requirement (7 courses, at least 3 units each)
| At least one course from each of the following areas: | ||
Artistic Process & Creation | ||
Civic & Global Responsibility | ||
Language & Narratives | ||
Quantitative Reasoning | ||
Scientific Inquiry | ||
Social Inquiry | ||
World Perspectives & Ethics | ||
Note: 1) No more than 2 courses from a single discipline can be used to meet the Breadth Requirement.
C. Diversity and Inclusion Requirement
| All students must complete Diversity and Inclusion coursework (at least 3 units) | ||
Note: 1) Diversity and Inclusion courses can also be used to meet the breadth category requirements, or major or minor requirements.
D. Fundamental Skills
| Students must demonstrate competence in: | ||
Writing | ||
Quantitative Analysis (Math) | ||
Note: 1) Failure to satisfy the fundamental skills requirements by the end of four semesters of full-time study at the University is grounds for academic disqualification.
II. College of the Pacific BA Requirement
Students must complete one year of college instruction or equivalent training in a language other than English.
Note: 1) Transfer students with sophomore standing are exempt from this requirement.
III. Breadth Requirement
Students must complete 60 units outside the primary discipline of the first major, regardless of the department who offers the course(s) in that discipline. (Courses include general education courses, transfer courses, CPCE/EXTN units, internships, etc.)
IV. Major Requirements
Minimum 14 courses that include:
| All of the following Foundations courses | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
or POLS 151 | Principles of Comparative Politics | |
| Introduction to Political Theory | ||
| Introduction to Law and Politics in the American Political System | ||
or POLS 041 | U.S. Government and Politics | |
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| One (1) of the following Research Methods courses | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Political Science Research | ||
| One (1) of the following Career Orientation courses | ||
| Cross-Cultural Training I | ||
| Career and Internship Preparation | ||
| Minimum 3 units from the following Experiential Learning courses:** | ||
| Political Science Internship | ||
or POLS 187B | Political Science Internship | |
| Pre-Law Internship | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Washington Semester Internship | ||
| At least two (2) of the following Legal Studies courses: | ||
| Courts and Judicial Behavior | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Jurisprudence | ||
| At least one (1) of the following Sociology courses: | ||
| Deviant Behavior | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Introduction to Social Services | ||
| Corrections | ||
| Diversity, Equity and Inequality | ||
| At least two (2) additional upper-division Political Science courses (100-180) | ||
| At least one (1) of the upper-division Political Science courses must also be from the following set of Diversity courses: | ||
| Urban Government | ||
| Race and Politics | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Immigration and Justice | ||
| The following Capstone course | ||
| Capstone Seminar *** | ||
- *
Only students who participate in an approved study-abroad program may take INTL 151—Cross-Cultural Training I
- **
Students may meet the Political Science major's experiential learning requirement by participating in an approved education abroad program. Any SABD (education abroad) course may be used to satisfy the experiential learning requirement.
Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science/Master Public Policy Blended Program
Students must complete a minimum of 150 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 3.0 in order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in political science and a 3.0 in the master of public policy degree.
Note: 1) A total of eight upper division units can count towards both degrees. 2) An additional 11 graduate units can count towards the BA degree.
I. General Education Requirements
For more details, see General Education
Minimum 28 units and 9 courses that include:
A. CORE Seminars (2 courses)
| CORE 001 | Problem Solving & Oral Comm | 3 |
| CORE 002 | Writing and Critical Thinking | 4 |
Note: 1) CORE Seminars cannot be taken for Pass/No Credit. 2) Transfer students with 28 or more transfer credits taken after high school are exempt from both CORE seminars. Students participating in the First Year Honors Program should complete an honors section of CORE 001 regardless of the number of college transfer units completed.
B. Breadth Requirement (7 courses, at least 3 units each)
| At least one course from each of the following areas: | ||
Artistic Process & Creation | ||
Civic & Global Responsibility | ||
Language & Narratives | ||
Quantitative Reasoning | ||
Scientific Inquiry | ||
Social Inquiry | ||
World Perspectives & Ethics | ||
Note: 1) No more than 2 courses from a single discipline can be used to meet the Breadth Requirement.
C. Diversity and Inclusion Requirement
| All students must complete Diversity and Inclusion coursework (at least 3 units) | ||
Note: 1) Diversity and Inclusion courses can also be used to meet the breadth category requirements, or major or minor requirements.
D. Fundamental Skills
| Students must demonstrate competence in: | ||
Writing | ||
Quantitative Analysis (Math) | ||
Note: 1) Failure to satisfy the fundamental skills requirements by the end of four semesters of full-time study at the University is grounds for academic disqualification.
II. College of the Pacific BA Requirement
Students must complete one year of college instruction or equivalent training in a language other than English.
Note: 1) Transfer students with sophomore standing are exempt from this requirement.
III. Breadth Requirement
Students must complete 60 units outside the primary discipline of the first major, regardless of the department who offers the course(s) in that discipline. (Courses include general education courses, transfer courses, CPCE/EXTN units, internships, etc.)
IV. Major Requirements
Minimum 14 courses that include:
| All of the following Foundations courses | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
or POLS 151 | Principles of Comparative Politics | |
| Introduction to Political Theory | ||
| U.S. Government and Politics | ||
or POLS 031 | Introduction to Law and Politics in the American Political System | |
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| One (1) of the following Research Methods courses | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Political Science Research | ||
| One (1) of the following Career Orientation courses | ||
| Cross-Cultural Training I * | ||
| Career and Internship Preparation | ||
| Minimum 3 units from the following Experiential Learning courses: ** | 3-4 | |
| Political Science Internship | ||
or POLS 187B | Political Science Internship | |
| Pre-Law Internship | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Washington Semester Internship | ||
| At least six (6) upper-division Political Science Courses (100-180), with at least one course from four (4) of the following subfields: | ||
| U.S. Government & Politics | ||
| POLS 104 | Urban Government | 4 |
| POLS 106 | California Government and Politics | 4 |
| POLS 111 | Introduction to Health Policy | 4 |
| POLS 112 | Congress and the Presidency | 4 |
| POLS 113 | Race and Politics | 4 |
| POLS 114 | Political Parties and Interest Groups | 4 |
| POLS 116 | Campaigns and Elections | 4 |
| POLS 117 | Controversies in U.S. Government & Politics | 4 |
| POLS 119 | Government in Action: Public Policy Analysis | 4 |
| POLS 128 | Introduction to Public Administration | 4 |
| Public Law | ||
| POLS 120 | Courts and Judicial Behavior | 4 |
| POLS 122 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| POLS 124 | Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | 4 |
| POLS 126 | Criminal Law | 4 |
| POLS 127 | Controversies in Law | 4 |
| Political Theory | ||
| POLS 130 | Ancient to Medieval Political Theory | 4 |
| POLS 132 | Modern to Contemporary Political Theory | 4 |
| POLS 134 | American Political Thought | 4 |
| POLS 136 | Jurisprudence | 4 |
| POLS 137 | Controversies in Political Theory | 4 |
| POLS 138 | Feminist Theory | 4 |
| Comparative Politics | ||
| POLS 141 | Western European Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POLS 147 | Controversies in Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POLS 151 | Principles of Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POLS 152 | Politics of Asia | 4 |
| POLS 156 | Immigration and Justice | 4 |
| POLS 174 | Global Environmental Policy | 4 |
| International Relations | ||
| POLS 160 | Theories of International Politics | 4 |
| POLS 164 | International Political Economy | 4 |
| POLS 166 | Causes of War | 4 |
| POLS 167 | Controversies in International Relations | 4 |
| POLS 170 | U.S. Foreign Policy | 4 |
| The following Capstone course | ||
| Capstone Seminar | ||
- *
Only students who participate in an approved study-abroad program may take INTL 151—Cross-Cultural Training I
- **
Students may meet the Political Science major's experiential learning requirement by participating in an approved education abroad program. Any SABD (education abroad) course may be used to satisfy the experiential learning requirement.
VII. Undergraduate Public Policy Preparation
Courses may be used also to meet general education and/or major/minor requirements.
| ECON 053 | Introductory Microeconomics | 4 |
| SOCI 041 | Social Problems | 4 |
| Select one of the following Political Science courses: | 4 | |
| Government in Action: Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Four of the following courses, with at least one each coming from the Sociology and the Economics sets: | 16 | |
| Economic Courses | ||
| Public Finance | ||
| Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| Sociology Courses | ||
| Environmental Health & Justice | ||
| Sociology of Health and Illness | ||
| Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| Urban Society | ||
| Other Public Affairs Courses | ||
| Public Advocacy | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| American Immigration | ||
| Women in United States History | ||
| American Environmental History | ||
| Global Environmental Policy | ||
| Introduction to Health Policy | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
VIII. Master of Public Policy Requirements
A minimum of 44 units is required to earn the MPP, including a 38-unit core of required courses.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher is required for award of the MPP.
| Core Courses - 38 units in four areas, including: | ||
| LAW - 6 units | ||
| LAW 201 | Introduction to Law and Public Administration (Introduction to Law and Public Administration) | 3 |
| LAW 517 | Statutes and Regulations | 3 |
| PUBLIC POLICY - 14 units | ||
| PUB 211 | Governance and Public Policy | 4 |
| PUB 214 | Budgets, Financial Management | 3 |
| PUB 215 | Capstone: Public Policy Analysis Case | 4 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| ANALYTIC TOOLS - 11 units | ||
| PUB 221 | Economic Concepts and Tools | 4 |
| PUB 233 | Public Manager Analytics | 4 |
| PUB 234 | Advanced Policy Analytics | 3 |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/LEADERSHIP - 7 units | ||
| PUB 218 | Professional Skills | 1 |
| PUB 242 | Systemic Change | 3 |
| or PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | |
| PUB 251 | Foundations of Public Administration | 3 |
Electives: At least 6 units. Elective units may be applied towards an optional area of concentration.
| Environmental and Water Policy - 6 Units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 230 | Water Resources Law (This course is offered in a 2 and 3 unit format. If taken as 2 units, you must take 1 additional elective unit.) | 3 |
| LAW 235 | Environmental Practice | 3 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 507 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| LAW 509 | Special Topics in Environmental Law | 2 or 3 |
| LAW 510 | Natural Resources Law | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| Capital Policy Making - 6 units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 513 | California Lobbying & Politics | 2 |
| LAW 576 | Cap. Lawyering and Pol. Making | 2 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| Public and Non-Profit Leadership - 6 Units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 209 | Local Agency Practice | 2 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 802 | Negotiation and Settlements Seminar | 2 or 3 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| LAW 826 | Negotiating Disputes Into Deals | 1 |
| PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| Policy Change, Institutional Reform, Sustainability - MPA ONLY- 6 units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses: | ||
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| PUB 234 | Advanced Policy Analytics | 3 |
Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science - Criminal Justice Concentration/Master Public Policy Blended Program
Students must complete a minimum of 150 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 3.0 in order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in political science - Criminal Justice Concentration and a 3.0 in the master of public policy degree.
Note: 1) A total of eight upper division units can count towards both degrees. 2) An additional 11 graduate units can count towards the BA degree.
I. General Education Requirements
For more details, see General Education
Minimum 28 units and 9 courses that include:
A. CORE Seminars (2 courses)
| CORE 001 | Problem Solving & Oral Comm | 3 |
| CORE 002 | Writing and Critical Thinking | 4 |
Note: 1) CORE Seminars cannot be taken for Pass/No Credit. 2) Transfer students with 28 or more transfer credits taken after high school are exempt from both CORE seminars. Students participating in the First Year Honors Program should complete an honors section of CORE 001 regardless of the number of college transfer units completed.
B. Breadth Requirement (7 courses, at least 3 units each)
| At least one course from each of the following areas: | ||
Artistic Process & Creation | ||
Civic & Global Responsibility | ||
Language & Narratives | ||
Quantitative Reasoning | ||
Scientific Inquiry | ||
Social Inquiry | ||
World Perspectives & Ethics | ||
Note: 1) No more than 2 courses from a single discipline can be used to meet the Breadth Requirement.
C. Diversity and Inclusion Requirement
| All students must complete Diversity and Inclusion coursework (at least 3 units) | ||
Note: 1) Diversity and Inclusion courses can also be used to meet the breadth category requirements, or major or minor requirements.
D. Fundamental Skills
| Students must demonstrate competence in: | ||
Writing | ||
Quantitative Analysis (Math) | ||
Note: 1) Failure to satisfy the fundamental skills requirements by the end of four semesters of full-time study at the University is grounds for academic disqualification.
II. College of the Pacific BA Requirement
Students must complete one year of college instruction or equivalent training in a language other than English.
Note: 1) Transfer students with sophomore standing are exempt from this requirement.
III. Breadth Requirement
Students must complete 60 units outside the primary discipline of the first major, regardless of the department who offers the course(s) in that discipline. (Courses include general education courses, transfer courses, CPCE/EXTN units, internships, etc.)
IV. Major Requirements
Minimum 14 courses that include:
| All of the following Foundations courses | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
or POLS 151 | Principles of Comparative Politics | |
| Introduction to Political Theory | ||
| Introduction to Law and Politics in the American Political System | ||
or POLS 041 | U.S. Government and Politics | |
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| One (1) of the following Research Methods courses | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Political Science Research | ||
| One (1) of the following Career Orientation courses | ||
| Cross-Cultural Training I | ||
| Career and Internship Preparation | ||
| Minimum 3 units from the following Experiential Learning courses:** | ||
| Political Science Internship | ||
or POLS 187B | Political Science Internship | |
| Pre-Law Internship | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Washington Semester Internship | ||
| At least two (2) of the following Legal Studies courses: | ||
| Courts and Judicial Behavior | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Jurisprudence | ||
| At least one (1) of the following Sociology courses: | ||
| Deviant Behavior | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Introduction to Social Services | ||
| Corrections | ||
| Diversity, Equity and Inequality | ||
| At least two (2) additional upper-division Political Science courses (100-180) | ||
| At least one (1) of the upper-division Political Science courses must also be from the following set of Diversity courses: | ||
| Urban Government | ||
| Race and Politics | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Immigration and Justice | ||
| The following Capstone course | ||
| Capstone Seminar | ||
- *
Only students who participate in an approved study-abroad program may take INTL 151—Cross-Cultural Training I
- **
Students may meet the Political Science major's experiential learning requirement by participating in an approved education abroad program. Any SABD (education abroad) course may be used to satisfy the experiential learning requirement.
VII. Undergraduate Public Policy Preparation
Courses may be used also to meet general education and/or major/minor requirements.
| ECON 053 | Introductory Microeconomics | 4 |
| SOCI 041 | Social Problems | 4 |
| Select one of the following Political Science courses: | 4 | |
| Government in Action: Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Four of the following courses, with at least one each coming from the Sociology and the Economics sets: | 16 | |
| Economic Courses | ||
| Public Finance | ||
| Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| Sociology Courses | ||
| Environmental Health & Justice | ||
| Sociology of Health and Illness | ||
| Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| Urban Society | ||
| Other Public Affairs Courses | ||
| Public Advocacy | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| American Immigration | ||
| Women in United States History | ||
| American Environmental History | ||
| Global Environmental Policy | ||
| Introduction to Health Policy | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
VIII. Master of Public Policy Requirements
A minimum of 44 units is required to earn the MPP, including a 38-unit core of required courses.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher is required for award of the MPP.
| Core Courses - 38 units in four areas, including: | ||
| LAW - 6 units | ||
| LAW 201 | Introduction to Law and Public Administration (Introduction to Law and Public Administration) | 3 |
| LAW 517 | Statutes and Regulations | 3 |
| PUBLIC POLICY - 14 units | ||
| PUB 211 | Governance and Public Policy | 4 |
| PUB 214 | Budgets, Financial Management | 3 |
| PUB 215 | Capstone: Public Policy Analysis Case | 4 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| ANALYTIC TOOLS - 11 units | ||
| PUB 221 | Economic Concepts and Tools | 4 |
| PUB 233 | Public Manager Analytics | 4 |
| PUB 234 | Advanced Policy Analytics | 3 |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/LEADERSHIP - 7 units | ||
| PUB 218 | Professional Skills | 1 |
| PUB 242 | Systemic Change | 3 |
| or PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | |
| PUB 251 | Foundations of Public Administration | 3 |
Electives: At least 6 units. Elective units may be applied towards an optional area of concentration.
| Environmental and Water Policy - 6 Units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 230 | Water Resources Law (This course is offered in a 2 and 3 unit format. If taken as 2 units, you must take 1 additional elective unit.) | 3 |
| LAW 235 | Environmental Practice | 3 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 507 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| LAW 509 | Special Topics in Environmental Law | 2 or 3 |
| LAW 510 | Natural Resources Law | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| Capital Policy Making - 6 units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 513 | California Lobbying & Politics | 2 |
| LAW 576 | Cap. Lawyering and Pol. Making | 2 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| Public and Non-Profit Leadership - 6 Units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 209 | Local Agency Practice | 2 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 802 | Negotiation and Settlements Seminar | 2 or 3 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| LAW 826 | Negotiating Disputes Into Deals | 1 |
| PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| Policy Change, Institutional Reform, Sustainability - MPA ONLY- 6 units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses: | ||
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| PUB 234 | Advanced Policy Analytics | 3 |
Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science with Departmental Honors/Master Public Policy Blended Program
Students must complete a minimum of 150 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 3.5 in order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in political science departmental honors and a 3.0 in the master of public policy degree.
Note: 1) A total of eight upper division units can count towards both degrees. 2) An additional 11 graduate units can count towards the BA degree.
I. General Education Requirements
For more details, see General Education
Minimum 28 units and 9 courses that include:
A. CORE Seminars (2 courses)
| CORE 001 | Problem Solving & Oral Comm | 3 |
| CORE 002 | Writing and Critical Thinking | 4 |
Note: 1) CORE Seminars cannot be taken for Pass/No Credit. 2) Transfer students with 28 or more transfer credits taken after high school are exempt from both CORE seminars. Students participating in the First Year Honors Program should complete an honors section of CORE 001 regardless of the number of college transfer units completed.
B. Breadth Requirement (7 courses, at least 3 units each)
| At least one course from each of the following areas: | ||
Artistic Process & Creation | ||
Civic & Global Responsibility | ||
Language & Narratives | ||
Quantitative Reasoning | ||
Scientific Inquiry | ||
Social Inquiry | ||
World Perspectives & Ethics | ||
Note: 1) No more than 2 courses from a single discipline can be used to meet the Breadth Requirement.
C. Diversity and Inclusion Requirement
| All students must complete Diversity and Inclusion coursework (at least 3 units) | ||
Note: 1) Diversity and Inclusion courses can also be used to meet the breadth category requirements, or major or minor requirements.
D. Fundamental Skills
| Students must demonstrate competence in: | ||
Writing | ||
Quantitative Analysis (Math) | ||
Note: 1) Failure to satisfy the fundamental skills requirements by the end of four semesters of full-time study at the University is grounds for academic disqualification.
II. College of the Pacific BA Requirement
Students must complete one year of college instruction or equivalent training in a language other than English.
Note: 1) Transfer students with sophomore standing are exempt from this requirement.
III. Breadth Requirement
Students must complete 60 units outside the primary discipline of the first major, regardless of the department who offers the course(s) in that discipline. (Courses include general education courses, transfer courses, CPCE/EXTN units, internships, etc.)
IV. Major Requirements
Minimum 14 courses that include:
| All of the following Foundations courses | ||
| POLS 011 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 4 |
| or POLS 151 | Principles of Comparative Politics | |
| POLS 021 | Introduction to Political Theory | 4 |
| POLS 041 | U.S. Government and Politics | 4 |
| or POLS 031 | Introduction to Law and Politics in the American Political System | |
| POLS 051 | Introduction to International Relations | 4 |
| One (1) of the following Research Methods courses | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Political Science Research | ||
| One (1) of the following Career Orientation courses | ||
| Cross-Cultural Training I * | ||
| Career and Internship Preparation | ||
| Minimum 3 units from the following Experiential Learning courses:** | ||
| Political Science Internship | ||
or POLS 187B | Political Science Internship | |
| Pre-Law Internship | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Washington Semester Internship | ||
| At least six (6) upper-division Political Science Courses (100-180), with at least one course from four (4) of the following subfields: | ||
| US Government and Politics | ||
| Urban Government | ||
| California Government and Politics | ||
| Introduction to Health Policy | ||
| Congress and the Presidency | ||
| Race and Politics | ||
| Political Parties and Interest Groups | ||
| Campaigns and Elections | ||
| Controversies in U.S. Government & Politics | ||
| Government in Action: Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Public Law | ||
| Courts and Judicial Behavior | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Controversies in Law | ||
| Political Theory | ||
| Ancient to Medieval Political Theory | ||
| Modern to Contemporary Political Theory | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Jurisprudence | ||
| Controversies in Political Theory | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Western European Comparative Politics | ||
| Controversies in Comparative Politics | ||
| Principles of Comparative Politics | ||
| Politics of Asia | ||
| Immigration and Justice | ||
| Global Environmental Policy | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Theories of International Politics | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Causes of War | ||
| Controversies in International Relations | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
| The following Capstone course | ||
| Capstone Seminar *** | ||
- *
Only students who participate in an approved study-abroad program may take INTL 151—Cross-Cultural Training I
- **
Students may meet the Political Science major's experiential learning requirement by participating in an approved education abroad program. Any SABD (education abroad) course may be used to satisfy the experiential learning requirement.
- ***
The capstone project must be completed individually and receive a minimum grade of B+.
VII. Undergraduate Public Policy Preparation
Courses may be used also to meet general education and/or major/minor requirements.
| ECON 053 | Introductory Microeconomics | 4 |
| SOCI 041 | Social Problems | 4 |
| Select one of the following Political Science courses: | 4 | |
| Government in Action: Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Four of the following courses, with at least one each coming from the Sociology and the Economics sets: | 16 | |
| Economic Courses | ||
| Public Finance | ||
| Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| Sociology Courses | ||
| Environmental Health & Justice | ||
| Sociology of Health and Illness | ||
| Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| Urban Society | ||
| Other Public Affairs Courses | ||
| Public Advocacy | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| American Immigration | ||
| Women in United States History | ||
| American Environmental History | ||
| Global Environmental Policy | ||
| Introduction to Health Policy | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
VIII. Master of Public Policy Requirements
A minimum of 44 units is required to earn the MPP, including a 38-unit core of required courses.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher is required for award of the MPP.
| Core Courses - 38 units in four areas, including: | ||
| LAW - 6 units | ||
| LAW 201 | Introduction to Law and Public Administration (Introduction to Law and Public Administration) | 3 |
| LAW 517 | Statutes and Regulations | 3 |
| PUBLIC POLICY - 14 units | ||
| PUB 211 | Governance and Public Policy | 4 |
| PUB 214 | Budgets, Financial Management | 3 |
| PUB 215 | Capstone: Public Policy Analysis Case | 4 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| ANALYTIC TOOLS - 11 units | ||
| PUB 221 | Economic Concepts and Tools | 4 |
| PUB 233 | Public Manager Analytics | 4 |
| PUB 234 | Advanced Policy Analytics | 3 |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/LEADERSHIP - 7 units | ||
| PUB 218 | Professional Skills | 1 |
| PUB 242 | Systemic Change | 3 |
| or PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | |
| PUB 251 | Foundations of Public Administration | 3 |
Electives: At least 6 units. Elective units may be applied towards an optional area of concentration.
| Environmental and Water Policy - 6 Units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 230 | Water Resources Law (This course is offered in a 2 and 3 unit format. If taken as 2 units, you must take 1 additional elective unit.) | 3 |
| LAW 235 | Environmental Practice | 3 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 507 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| LAW 509 | Special Topics in Environmental Law | 2 or 3 |
| LAW 510 | Natural Resources Law | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| Capital Policy Making - 6 units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 513 | California Lobbying & Politics | 2 |
| LAW 576 | Cap. Lawyering and Pol. Making | 2 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| Public and Non-Profit Leadership - 6 Units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 209 | Local Agency Practice | 2 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 802 | Negotiation and Settlements Seminar | 2 or 3 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| LAW 826 | Negotiating Disputes Into Deals | 1 |
| PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| Policy Change, Institutional Reform, Sustainability - MPA ONLY- 6 units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses: | ||
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| PUB 234 | Advanced Policy Analytics | 3 |
Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science - Criminal Justice Concentration with Departmental Honors/Master Public Policy Blended Program
Students must complete a minimum of 150 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 3.5 in order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in political science - criminal justice concentration with departmental honors and a 3.0 in the master of public policy degree.
Note: 1) A total of eight upper division units can count towards both degrees. 2) An additional 11 graduate units can count towards the BA degree.
I. General Education Requirements
For more details, see General Education
Minimum 28 units and 9 courses that include:
A. CORE Seminars (2 courses)
| CORE 001 | Problem Solving & Oral Comm | 3 |
| CORE 002 | Writing and Critical Thinking | 4 |
Note: 1) CORE Seminars cannot be taken for Pass/No Credit. 2) Transfer students with 28 or more transfer credits taken after high school are exempt from both CORE seminars. Students participating in the First Year Honors Program should complete an honors section of CORE 001 regardless of the number of college transfer units completed.
B. Breadth Requirement (7 courses, at least 3 units each)
| At least one course from each of the following areas: | ||
Artistic Process & Creation | ||
Civic & Global Responsibility | ||
Language & Narratives | ||
Quantitative Reasoning | ||
Scientific Inquiry | ||
Social Inquiry | ||
World Perspectives & Ethics | ||
Note: 1) No more than 2 courses from a single discipline can be used to meet the Breadth Requirement.
C. Diversity and Inclusion Requirement
| All students must complete Diversity and Inclusion coursework (at least 3 units) | ||
Note: 1) Diversity and Inclusion courses can also be used to meet the breadth category requirements, or major or minor requirements.
D. Fundamental Skills
| Students must demonstrate competence in: | ||
Writing | ||
Quantitative Analysis (Math) | ||
Note: 1) Failure to satisfy the fundamental skills requirements by the end of four semesters of full-time study at the University is grounds for academic disqualification.
II. College of the Pacific BA Requirement
Students must complete one year of college instruction or equivalent training in a language other than English.
Note: 1) Transfer students with sophomore standing are exempt from this requirement.
III. Breadth Requirement
Students must complete 60 units outside the primary discipline of the first major, regardless of the department who offers the course(s) in that discipline. (Courses include general education courses, transfer courses, CPCE/EXTN units, internships, etc.)
IV. Major Requirements
Minimum 14 courses that include:
| All of the following Foundations courses | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
or POLS 151 | Principles of Comparative Politics | |
| Introduction to Political Theory | ||
| Introduction to Law and Politics in the American Political System | ||
or POLS 041 | U.S. Government and Politics | |
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| One (1) of the following Research Methods courses | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Political Science Research | ||
| One (1) of the following Career Orientation courses | ||
| Cross-Cultural Training I | ||
| Career and Internship Preparation | ||
| Minimum 3 units from the following Experiential Learning courses:** | ||
| Political Science Internship | ||
or POLS 187B | Political Science Internship | |
| Pre-Law Internship | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Washington Semester Internship | ||
| At least two (2) of the following Legal Studies courses: | ||
| Courts and Judicial Behavior | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Jurisprudence | ||
| At least one (1) of the following Sociology courses: | ||
| Deviant Behavior | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Introduction to Social Services | ||
| Corrections | ||
| Diversity, Equity and Inequality | ||
| At least two (2) additional upper-division Political Science courses (100-180) | ||
| At least one (1) of the upper-division Political Science courses must also be from the following set of Diversity courses: | ||
| Urban Government | ||
| Race and Politics | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Immigration and Justice | ||
| The following Capstone course | ||
| Capstone Seminar *** | ||
- *
Only students who participate in an approved study-abroad program may take INTL 151—Cross-Cultural Training I
- **
Students may meet the Political Science major's experiential learning requirement by participating in an approved education abroad program. Any SABD (education abroad) course may be used to satisfy the experiential learning requirement.
VII. Undergraduate Public Policy Preparation
Courses may be used also to meet general education and/or major/minor requirements.
| ECON 053 | Introductory Microeconomics | 4 |
| SOCI 041 | Social Problems | 4 |
| Select one of the following Political Science courses: | 4 | |
| Government in Action: Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Four of the following courses, with at least one each coming from the Sociology and the Economics sets: | 16 | |
| Economic Courses | ||
| Public Finance | ||
| Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| Sociology Courses | ||
| Environmental Health & Justice | ||
| Sociology of Health and Illness | ||
| Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| Urban Society | ||
| Other Public Affairs Courses | ||
| Public Advocacy | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| American Immigration | ||
| Women in United States History | ||
| American Environmental History | ||
| Global Environmental Policy | ||
| Introduction to Health Policy | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
VIII. Master of Public Policy Requirements
A minimum of 44 units is required to earn the MPP, including a 38-unit core of required courses.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher is required for award of the MPP.
| Core Courses - 38 units in four areas, including: | ||
| LAW - 6 units | ||
| LAW 201 | Introduction to Law and Public Administration (Introduction to Law and Public Administration) | 3 |
| LAW 517 | Statutes and Regulations | 3 |
| PUBLIC POLICY - 14 units | ||
| PUB 211 | Governance and Public Policy | 4 |
| PUB 214 | Budgets, Financial Management | 3 |
| PUB 215 | Capstone: Public Policy Analysis Case | 4 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| ANALYTIC TOOLS - 11 units | ||
| PUB 221 | Economic Concepts and Tools | 4 |
| PUB 233 | Public Manager Analytics | 4 |
| PUB 234 | Advanced Policy Analytics | 3 |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/LEADERSHIP - 7 units | ||
| PUB 218 | Professional Skills | 1 |
| PUB 242 | Systemic Change | 3 |
| or PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | |
| PUB 251 | Foundations of Public Administration | 3 |
Electives: At least 6 units. Elective units may be applied towards an optional area of concentration.
| Environmental and Water Policy - 6 Units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 230 | Water Resources Law (This course is offered in a 2 and 3 unit format. If taken as 2 units, you must take 1 additional elective unit.) | 3 |
| LAW 235 | Environmental Practice | 3 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 507 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| LAW 509 | Special Topics in Environmental Law | 2 or 3 |
| LAW 510 | Natural Resources Law | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| Capital Policy Making - 6 units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 513 | California Lobbying & Politics | 2 |
| LAW 576 | Cap. Lawyering and Pol. Making | 2 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| Public and Non-Profit Leadership - 6 Units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses | ||
| LAW 209 | Local Agency Practice | 2 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 802 | Negotiation and Settlements Seminar | 2 or 3 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| LAW 826 | Negotiating Disputes Into Deals | 1 |
| PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| Policy Change, Institutional Reform, Sustainability - MPA ONLY- 6 units | ||
| Complete 6 or more units from among these courses: | ||
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California | 2 |
| PUB 213 | Enhancing Societal Capacity | 3 |
| PUB 219 | Directed Research | 1-3 |
| PUB 222 | Finance for Public Policies | 3 |
| PUB 234 | Advanced Policy Analytics | 3 |
Minor in Political Science
Students must complete a minimum of 21 units and 6 courses with a Pacific minor grade point average of 2.0 in order to earn a minor in political science.
Minor Requirements:
| POLS 011 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POLS 041 | U.S. Government and Politics | 4 |
| POLS 051 | Introduction to International Relations | 4 |
| POLS Electives - 3 additional courses at the 100-level or from: | 12 | |
| Philosophy of Law | ||
| Global Environmental Policy | ||
Note: 1) At least ten of these units must be taken at Pacific.
Minor in Pre-Law
Students must complete a minimum of 21 units and 6 courses with a Pacific minor grade point average of 2.0 in order to earn a minor in pre-law.
Minor Requirements:
| Select one of the following public law courses: | 4 | |
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Select one of the following law courses: | 4 | |
| The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business | ||
| Sport Economics and Finance | ||
| Commercial Law | ||
| Employment Law | ||
| Advanced Model United Nations (MUN II) | ||
| Entertainment Law | ||
| Introduction to Law and Politics in the American Political System | ||
| Select one of the following communication courses: | 4 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Argumentation and Advocacy | ||
| English 25 | ||
| Select one of the following philosophy courses: | 4 | |
| Moral Problems | ||
| Fundamentals of Ethics | ||
| Symbolic Logic | ||
| Philosophy of Law | ||
| Select one of the following business administration/statistics courses: | 4 | |
| Principles of Financial Accounting | ||
| Econometrics | ||
| Empirical Methods | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Elementary Statistical Inference | ||
| Introduction to Statistics and Probability | ||
| Political Science Research | ||
| Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology I | ||
| Social Research Methods | ||
| Select one of the following social sciences courses: | 4 | |
| Commercial Law | ||
| Introductory Microeconomics | ||
| Introductory Macroeconomics: Theory and Policy | ||
| U.S. Government and Politics | ||
| Government in Action: Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Courts and Judicial Behavior | ||
| Abnormal and Clinical Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| Corrections | ||
Note: 1) 12 of these units must be taken at Pacific. 2) All courses must be graded “C-“ or higher. 3) Only two courses may be transferred from community colleges. 4) Courses transferred from community colleges cannot fulfill the public law requirement. 5) No more than 3 courses from a single academic department can be counted in the pre-law minor.
Minor in Public Affairs
The field of public affairs studies how and why governments make choices about different kinds of public policies, for example environmental or health policy. It also studies how governments implement (put into practice) their policy choices. As a field, public affairs is inherently interdisciplinary, bringing together theories, concepts from Economics, Political Science, and Sociology (among other disciplines).
The Public Affairs Minor introduces students to foundational concepts in each of these primary academic disciplines, introduces a framework for thinking about how governments make and/or implement policy choices, and then invites students to explore a specific policy area of their choosing in greater detail.
Students must complete a minimum of 20 units and 6 courses with a Pacific minor grade point average of 2.0 in order to earn the minor in public affairs.
Minor Requirements:
| One of the Following Economics: | ||
| Introductory Microeconomics | ||
| Introductory Macroeconomics: Theory and Policy | ||
| One of the following Political Science courses: | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| U.S. Government and Politics | ||
| One of the following Sociology courses: | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Select one of the following Public Policy/Administration courses: | ||
| Government in Action: Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| One (1) of the following Research Methods courses: | 4 | |
| Communication Research Methods | ||
| Empirical Methods | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Political Science Research | ||
| Social Research Methods | ||
| One of the following Policy Topics courses: | 4 | |
| Public Advocacy | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Public Finance | ||
| Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| American Immigration | ||
| Women in United States History | ||
| American Environmental History | ||
| Introduction to Health Policy | ||
| Immigration and Justice | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
| Global Environmental Policy | ||
| Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| Environmental Health & Justice | ||
| Sociology of Health and Illness | ||
| Urban Society | ||
Note: 1) Four courses must be completed at Pacific. 2) At least three courses for the minor must be outside a student's first major.
Political Science Courses
POLS 011. Introduction to Comparative Politics. 4 Units.
Students examine the basic functions performed by a political system, compare the different organizations and procedures societies have developed for handling these functions, and analyze of recurring patterns of political behavior from the level of the individual to that of the nation/state. (GE1C, GESO)
POLS 021. Introduction to Political Theory. 4 Units.
This course introduces the philosophical study of basic issues in political life, such as democracy, freedom, the responsibilities of political power, the role of the state, and justice through the close reading and analysis of selected major political thinkers. (GE2B, GEWE)
POLS 031. Introduction to Law and Politics in the American Political System. 4 Units.
This is an introductory course examining courses, law, and the role the judiciary plays in politics in the American political system. The course focuses on political aspects of legal rulings, as well as the constitutional limits to government power. (GE1B, GEGR)
POLS 041. U.S. Government and Politics. 4 Units.
Students analyze the constitutional structure of the federal government and its function as well as the political processes involved. This course satisfies the state teaching credential requirement on the U.S. Constitution. (GE1B, GEGR, PLAW)
POLS 051. Introduction to International Relations. 4 Units.
This course introduces the major issues of international politics and the analytical approaches applied to their study. Topics include: the causes of war, intervention, pursuit of economic prosperity and managing global resources. (GE1C, GEGR)
POLS 060. Legal Study Seminar. 1 Unit.
Students are introduced to the legal profession, court structure, and practical skills needed for law school. This course also examines current problems in different fields of law through panel discussions by law faculty. Prerequisite: Pacific Legal Scholar Student or permission of the instructor.
POLS 062. Legal Practice Seminar. 1 Unit.
Students examine different legal career trajectories, legal scholarship, and career exploration. This course also draws connections between academic training and legal practice through panel discussions by legal practitioners, and courthouse visits. Prerequisite: Pacific Legal Scholar Student or permission of the instructor.
POLS 081. Career and Internship Preparation. 2 Units.
POLS 081 orients and prepares students for the workplace expectations commonly encountered by students in political science internships. The course also provides information about careers commonly pursued by political science majors and how to prepare for them. Prerequisites: POLS 041. Sophomore standing.
POLS 087A. Political Science Internship. 1-4 Units.
POLS 093. Special Topics. 1-4 Units.
POLS 096A. Political Science Civic Action Part A. 2 Units.
This seminar fulfills the first course of the two-course sequence that constitutes the foundational academic component of the Civic Action Fellowship. This service-learning fellowship introduces students to some of the most pressing challenges facing urban centers such as Stockton, CA and, through an interdisciplinary service-learning and social justice lens, offers pathways for addressing these challenges. Bridging theory and practice, the seminar aims to address issues around urban health broadly defined, including educational disparities, climate and sustainability, and food insecurity. Furthermore, the seminar will help students develop civic skills and knowledge, prepare them for 21st century challenges, and contribute to the public good. The two-semester sequence (POLS 096 A&B) will fulfill the Political Science experiential learning requirement. Students must take both POLS 096A and POLS 096B to earn GE credit for this sequence. (GEDI, GEGR)
POLS 096B. Political Science Civic Action Part B. 2 Units.
This seminar fulfills the second course of the two-course sequence that constitutes the foundational academic component of the Civic Action Fellowship. This service-learning fellowship introduces students to some of the most pressing challenges facing urban centers such as Stockton, CA and, through an interdisciplinary service-learning and social justice lens, offers pathways for addressing these challenges. Bridging theory and practice, the seminar aims to address issues around urban health broadly defined, including educational disparities, climate and sustainability, and food insecurity. Furthermore, the seminar will help students develop civic skills and knowledge, prepare them for 21st century challenges, and contribute to the public good. Working from the final proposal delivered at the conclusion of the previous fall semester, students will deliver a project to benefit the community partner with which they serve. The two-semester sequence (POLS 096 A&B) will fulfill the Political Science experiential learning requirement. Students must take both POLS 096A and POLS 096B to earn GE credit for this sequence. (GEDI, GEGR)
POLS 104. Urban Government. 4 Units.
Students examine the structure and operation of urban units of government with emphasis on inter-governmental and inter-group relations in the United States. Problems of finance, racial, ethnic and class conflict, the adequacy of services and planning for future growth are included. The course emphasizes the role of race, class, and ethnicity in the city and is approved by Ethnic Studies. (DVSY, ETHC, GEDI)
POLS 106. California Government and Politics. 4 Units.
This course covers an overview of California governmental structures and selected political, economic and ecological conflicts, both historic and contemporary.
POLS 111. Introduction to Health Policy. 4 Units.
This is an introductory course in U.S. health policy and law. It begins by describing the basic machinery of policymaking and legal process that underpin the individual health care and public health systems and then turns to an exploration of many of the fundamental problems and contemporary issues in health policy and law. Students will learn to think systematically about these issues and the various methods available to public and private policymakers to solve them. Finally, this course describes the methods of writing a policy analysis, allowing students to apply analytic writing skills to policy and legal problems in the health care and public health systems. (GE1B, GEGR)
POLS 112. Congress and the Presidency. 4 Units.
This course examines the relative influence of Congress and the presidency on politics and policy making in America. Topics include the development, organization, operation, interactions, and policy making role of the two branches.
POLS 113. Race and Politics. 4 Units.
Issues related to race, racism, racial inequalities, and racial justice have become intertwined with many of our political conversations and public policymaking today. In this course, we start with the basic premise that race matters. How do we understand the conceptualization of race across time? How has the production of racial difference shaped our own experiences and relationships to the American state? What are the connections between racial power and protest — what are the possibilities for change? (GEDI)
POLS 114. Political Parties and Interest Groups. 4 Units.
Students analyze of the role of political parties and interest groups in the American political system in addition to the origins, development, and current state of parties and interest groups. The group includes a focus of the ways that these groups organize and influence the policy-making process.
POLS 116. Campaigns and Elections. 4 Units.
This course is designed to introduce students to campaigns and elections in the American political system. The focus is on what political science has discovered about campaigns, their operation, and their relative influence on elections. Other determinants of election outcomes are also examined.
POLS 117. Controversies in U.S. Government & Politics. 4 Units.
An intensive examination of a current controversy in U.S. government and politics. The specific topics examined in this course will vary by semester and instructor.
POLS 119. Government in Action: Public Policy Analysis. 4 Units.
This course is an analysis and evaluation of how government makes and implements policy at various levels, both state and local. POLS 119 fulfills the major requirement of an upper-level division course in the U.S. Government and Politics subfield. (PLAW)
POLS 120. Courts and Judicial Behavior. 4 Units.
Students examine the role, nature and sources of law, the courts and the adversary system; schools of jurisprudence. An emphasis is on contemporary problems such as reform, the jury system, selection of judges and selected problems. (PLAW)
POLS 122. Constitutional Law. 4 Units.
this course is a study of the development of the American Constitutional System through court cases. Law school techniques and methods are stressed. (PLAW)
POLS 124. Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties. 4 Units.
Students analyze the rights and guarantees contained in the Bill of Rights and other constitutional and statutory provisions. (PLAW)
POLS 126. Criminal Law. 4 Units.
This course focuses on the concepts, principles and problems of substantive criminal law. (PLAW)
POLS 127. Controversies in Law. 4 Units.
An intensive examination of a current controversy in law and judicial politics. The specific topics examined in this course will vary by semester and instructor.
POLS 128. Introduction to Public Administration. 4 Units.
This course introduces students to the study of public administration. It examines the role of public agencies and their personnel in a democratic political system. Topics include what public agencies are, why they exist in democracies, the functions they carry out, the mutual influence public agencies have with elected officials and the public, and interactions between public and not-for-profit spheres.
POLS 130. Ancient to Medieval Political Theory. 4 Units.
Students analyze ancient and medieval political thinkers examine the formation of social and political thought from approximately fifth century Greece through twelfth century Europe. The course materials address tensions between democracy and empire, ideas of democracy, freedom, the responsibilities of political power, the place of ambition, the role of justice, and the meaning of the good life. (GE2B, GEWE)
POLS 132. Modern to Contemporary Political Theory. 4 Units.
Students analyze modern and contemporary political thinkers and examine the formation of social and political thought form the sixteenth through the twenty-first centuries. The course materials address the development of the nation state, individual rights and freedom, religious liberty and toleration, popular sovereignty, popular consent, social equality, and intellectual, social, and historical progress. (GE2B, GEWE)
POLS 133. Political Science Research. 4 Units.
This course develops skills needed for conducting and understanding research in the social sciences, with a primary focus on political science. The course includes research design, critical statistical techniques and computer applications. Prerequisite: Fundamental Skills Math. (GE3B, GEQR, PLAW)
POLS 134. American Political Thought. 4 Units.
Principles and problems of political theory within the American setting are examined as they emerge from the founding period to the present. The course explores both the mainstream tradition and branches of counter traditions of political ideas in America. Emphasis is on the themes of authority, community, equality, liberty. (DVSY, ETHC, GE2B, GEDI, GEWE)
POLS 136. Jurisprudence. 4 Units.
Students analyze of the nature and functions of law, law as an instrument of social control, and the relationship between law, morality, and justice. This course examines current problems in law as it intersects with politics and society. Readings are drawn from legal and political philosophy, social science, and judicial opinions.
POLS 137. Controversies in Political Theory. 4 Units.
An intensive examination of a current controversy in political theory. The specific topics examined in this course will vary by semester and instructor.
POLS 138. Feminist Theory. 4 Units.
Feminist theory seeks to provide a philosophical foundation for the pursuit of “real world” goals and the improvement of women’s (and LGBTQ) lives. This course provides an introduction to contemporary feminist political theories. Throughout the semester we will interrogate key concepts and issue in both contemporary and historical feminist theory, such as: race, sexuality, gender identity and expression, capitalism, labor, and the state. The goal of this course is to understand the evolution of feminist thought and political praxis and also to draw connections between feminist theory and lived experiences. (ETHC, GEDI, GEND)
POLS 141. Western European Comparative Politics. 4 Units.
This course is a comparative analysis of the political and economic forces that have shaped the advanced industrial states of Western Europe. Topics include: 1) state-building, nation-building and industrialization; 2) political and economic reconstruction of France, Great Britain and Germany; 3) contemporary problems facing the advanced capitalist states of Western Europe.
POLS 147. Controversies in Comparative Politics. 4 Units.
An intensive examination of a current controversy in comparative politics. The specific topics examined in this course will vary by semester and instructor.
POLS 151. Principles of Comparative Politics. 4 Units.
Students examine the most important analytical approaches used by political scientists in the comparative analysis of political systems and application of those approaches to selected examples. This is a core major requirement that develops political science learning objectives that are the basis for advanced coursework in the major. Prerequisites: POLS 041 and POLS 051 or permission of instructor.
POLS 152. Politics of Asia. 4 Units.
This course is a general political introduction to modern East, South-East and South Asia. The course includes a survey of geography, history and culture and it uses selected case studies in all three areas, an exploration of problems of development and modernization, as well as regional interaction and the relation of Asia to the West.
POLS 156. Immigration and Justice. 4 Units.
Immigration has been a central issue to politics and policymaking in many countries.
This course examines the making, implementation, enforcement and contestation of contemporary immigration laws and policies. In this course students will learn about the history of immigration as well as the laws and policies that seek to limit or encourage new migrants. Students will learn how immigration policy shapes the lives of immigrants and mix-status family, and how the politics of race and ethnicity shape immigration policy and debates. Finally, this course explores the contours of the immigration system as it relates to the prison industrial complex, mass incarceration, and criminal/social justice. This course will draw on research from other countries to illustrate global patterns. (GEDI)
POLS 160. Theories of International Politics. 4 Units.
This course is an intensive study of the principal theories of international politics and behavior. The course covers major social scientific theories, critical approaches to theory, and international political theory. Prerequisite: POLS 051, or permission of instructor.
POLS 164. International Political Economy. 4 Units.
Students examine the major analytical and substantive issues in the field of international political economy and explore the political and economic problems generated by growing interdependence among advanced industrial states and the conflicts between industrialized and developing countries over the structure and functioning of the postwar international economic order. Prerequisite: POLS 051.
POLS 166. Causes of War. 4 Units.
This course is a study of the causes of interstate and civil war. We will read works that approach the basic questions about war causation from several perspectives: historical treatment of war causation, theoretical works, and the empirical research in conflict studies. The course will focus primarily on the scientific study of war, and what we know about war.
POLS 167. Controversies in International Relations. 4 Units.
An intensive examination of a current controversy in international relations. The specific topics examined in this course will vary by semester and instructor.
POLS 170. U.S. Foreign Policy. 4 Units.
Students examine of the major developments and current issues in U.S. foreign policy and various analytical approaches to their study. Topics include: U.S. diplomatic history, the processes and structures by which the U.S. government develops and implements foreign policy. Emphasis is placed on students developing the analytical capacity to pose and pursue significant puzzles about U.S. foreign policy. Prerequisite: POLS 051.
POLS 174. Global Environmental Policy. 4 Units.
Students examine the major environmental problems that confront the world today and an analysis of specific policies formulated to address those problems. Among the issues to be studied are deforestation, atmospheric and marine pollution, climate change, ozone depletion, and species loss.
POLS 175. Legal Writing and Research Seminar. 1 Unit.
Students are exposed to legal writing and advanced research skills, the content of first year law courses, and resources and facilities at Pacific McGeorge. Prerequisites: POLS 060 and POLS 062. Pacific Legal Scholar Student with Sophomore or Junior standing and an overall GPA of 3.0, or permission of the instructor. This course must be taken in the spring semester of their sophomore year (regardless of whether a student is in the 3+3 or 4+3 program).
POLS 187C. Pre-Law Internship. 3-4 Units.
This course is a supervised experience in an approved legal or judicial setting that is contracted on an individual basis. Junior standing is required with an overall GPA of 2.0. Department permission is also required. Prerequisites: POLS 081, COOP 188, or instructor permission.
POLS 189. Capstone Seminar. 4 Units.
This seminar course is for political science majors about to graduate. Students demonstrate their mastery of political science program learning objectives and outcomes through analysis and discussion of recent significant work in the major political science subfields; American Politics, Political Theory, Comparative Politics, and International Politics and by the completion and presentation of a substantial political science research project. Prerequisite: Political Science majors with senior standing or by permission of instructor is required.
POLS 189A. Practicum. 4 Units.
POLS 189B. Practicum. 4 Units.
POLS 189C. Practicum. 4 Units.
POLS 191. Independent Study. 2-4 Units.
Political science majors with a "B" average in their work in political science take this course.
POLS 197. Undergraduate Research. 2-4 Units.
Students acquire skills in the design and implementation of political science research while they serve as a research assistant to a faculty member or conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Junior or senior standing as a political science major and permission from department is required.
Pre-Law Courses
BUSI 031. Principles of Financial Accounting. 4 Units.
Students analyze the recording and reporting of business transactions, use of financial statements, and the use of accounting information in management decision-making. (PLAW)
BUSI 053. The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business. 4 Units.
This course is designed to acclimate students to the American legal system and regulatory law. The student will be exposed to a variety of statutory and regulatory law areas as well as torts, contracts, product liability, ethics and international law. The course is intended to broaden the student’s awareness of legal issues. The emphasis of the course will be on solving issues utilizing legal reasoning. (GE1B, GEGR, PLAW)
BUSI 157. Commercial Law. 4 Units.
This course is an in-depth study of commercial transactions between entities and individuals in the business environment. The topics that are covered include contracts, commercial paper, sales, secured transactions, bankruptcy, personal property, securities regulation and other related topics over the semester. Case materials and problems are used extensively in the course. Prerequisite: BUSI 053 with a “C” or better. Junior standing. (PLAW)
BUSI 159. Employment Law. 4 Units.
This course examines major labor-management relations legislation and its interpretation and treatment by administrative agencies and the courts. Primary emphasis is on the National Labor Relations Act as amended, but attention is also given to law concerning public sector labor relations, employment discrimination and other related law. Prerequisite: BUSI 053 with a "C" or better. Junior standing. (PLAW)
COMM 027. Public Speaking. 3 Units.
This course prepares students for public speaking in civic and professional contexts. Students learn theories of public speaking to develop effective speeches and hone skills in adapting to various audiences. In small discussion sections, student speeches may be given in various modalities (face-to-face, synchronous online, asynchronous online). Students also critique speeches from their peers and others using principles learned in the course. This course is one of the core courses for the communication major. (GE2A, GELN, PLAW)
COMM 114. Argumentation and Advocacy. 4 Units.
Students are introduced to the theory and practice of argumentation, which is a method of decision-making emphasizing reason giving and evidence. The course includes instruction in debating, research, and critical writing, as well as advanced topics in the study of public deliberation. Prerequisites: COMM 027 or COMM 031 or COMM 043 or COMM 050, with a grade of C or higher. (PLAW)
ECON 053. Introductory Microeconomics. 4 Units.
This course introduces the foundational tools used to analyze the economic behavior of individuals and firms—their decision-making given scarce resources, their interaction in different market structures and the implications of their behavior for the efficient and equitable allocation of resources. The course will also address the role of the government in influencing market outcomes. Prerequisites: Completion of the Fundamental Skills Math requirement, or placement into MATH 005 or MATH 005E. (GE1A, GESO, PLAW)
ECON 055. Introductory Macroeconomics: Theory and Policy. 4 Units.
This course introduces the concepts and tools of macroeconomics, which is the study of both national economies and the global economy as a whole. It develops the “economic way of thinking” and the concept of gross domestic product. The course explores business cycles, economic growth, unemployment, inflation, and financial crises, then applies the tools of fiscal policy (government spending and taxes) and monetary policy (money and interest rates) to manage them. Prerequisites: Completion of the Fundamental Skills Math requirement, or placement into MATH 005 or MATH 005E. (GE1B, GEGR, PLAW)
ECON 161. Empirical Methods. 4 Units.
This course teaches students to use current statistical software to perform empirical analysis of economic theory and applications. It is designed to provide students with practical data and econometric analysis skills for the workplace (private sector or government). The course will cover data collection, entry management, analysis and presentation. Some Familiarity with computer programming is recommended. Prerequisites: ECON 053; ECON 055; MATH 035 or MATH 037 or MATH 130 or MATH 131 or INTL 101; or permission of instructor. (PLAW)
ECON 190. Econometrics. 4 Units.
Students study the methods used to test economic theory with real-world data. The course presents the theory underlying common econometric methods and gives students experience in applying these analytical tools to data from a variety of sources. Students learn to develop testable hypotheses based on economic theories they have learned in earlier courses and to make reliable statistical inferences about these hypotheses. Students gain a working, applicable knowledge of the skills and software used by many professional economists and sought by many employers. Prerequisites: ECON 053; ECON 055; MATH 35 or MATH 037 or MATH 130 or MATH 131 or INTL 101. (PLAW)
ENGL 025. English 25. 4 Units.
This course provides an introduction to the discipline of English studies. While topics of individual sections vary, all ENGL 025 sections are writing-intensive and share learning outcomes for enhanced critical thinking and analysis, written and oral expression, and understanding of the functions of genre. Multiple and varied sections are listed by thematic focus title each semester. Prerequisite: a passing score on the General Education writing skills examination or WRIT 021. (GE2A, GELN, PLAW)
INTL 101. Social Science Research Methods. 4 Units.
Students are introduced to how research is conducted in the social sciences. The course shows how qualitative and quantitative research complements each other and it compares research methodologies in the different social science disciplines. The course also introduces basic statistical methods for analyzing social scientific data, and introduces the use of computers for quantitative analysis. Prerequisite: fundamental quantitative skills. (GE3B, GEQR, PLAW)
INTL 167. Advanced Model United Nations (MUN II). 1-2 Units.
This course offers advanced instruction on the workings of the specialized agencies of the United Nations and other international organizations with particular attention paid to current world issues before those bodies. Emphasis is placed on independent research and writing, as well as leadership skills, in preparation for attending a competitive Model United Nations conference. Prerequisite: POLS 051. May be taken for up to 2 units. (PLAW)
MATH 035. Elementary Statistical Inference. 3 Units.
Sampling, simple experimental designs, descriptive statistics, confidence intervals & hypothesis tests for means and proportions, Chi-square tests, linear & multiple regression, analysis of variance. Use of statistical software and/or online statistical calculators. Credit is not given for this course if a student has received credit for MATH 037 or MATH 131 or has AP credit in statistics. Prerequisite: MATH 004 or exemption by placement. GE IIIB. (GE3B, GEQR, MATH, PLAW)
MATH 037. Introduction to Statistics and Probability. 4 Units.
Students will develop mathematical tools for collecting, summarizing, analyzing, and drawing inferences from data. Topics covered include elements of descriptive statistics, such as graphs, tables, measures of central tendency and dispersion; discrete and continuous probability models for experiments and sampling distributions including the normal, t-, and chi-square distributions; and basic concepts of inferential statistics including confidence intervals, p-values, hypothesis tests for both one-and two-sample problems, ANOVA, and linear regression. The use of statistical software is required. This course is not recommended for first semester freshmen. Credit will not given for this course if a student has received credit for MATH 035 or has AP credit in Statistics. Prerequisites: MATH 033 or MATH 041 or MATH 045 or MATH 051 or MATH 053 with a "C-" or better or appropriate score on the calculus placement test. (GE3B, GEQR, MATH, PLAW)
MMGT 153. Entertainment Law. 4 Units.
Students study all aspects of legal relationships and rights of problems in films, television, music and records. Prerequisites: BUSI 053 and MMGT 011 or permission of instructor. Junior standing. (PLAW)
PHIL 021. Moral Problems. 4 Units.
One of the goals of philosophy is to apply ethical theories and concepts to difficult and significant moral problems about which people can rationally disagree. Through primary philosophical writings, legal decisions, film and online class discussion, students will come to understand the nature and complexities of the significant moral problems, such as the moral standing of non-human beings, abortion, doctor-assisted suicide, the limits of free speech, illegal immigration, affirmative action, sexual morality, civil disobedience, and the distribution of wealth. The best philosophical arguments on the issues are examined so that each student can decide which positions are most rationally compelling. (GE2B, GEWE, PLAW)
PHIL 027. Fundamentals of Ethics. 4 Units.
This course is an inquiry into the question "How should we lead our lives?" Each student is asked to reflect on her/his own moral commitments and how she/he makes morally difficult decisions, and then to consider whether there is any coherent, unifying system or procedure underlying this. The course then explores several of the most durable and influential philosophical approaches to moral decision making which include the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and how each might apply to various real-life situations. Additional issues might include: why we ought to take morality's demands seriously; whether moral judgments are mere opinions; and whether it is legitimate to criticize morally the practices of other cultures. (GE2B, GEWE, PLAW)
PHIL 037. Symbolic Logic. 4 Units.
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and methods employed in the analysis of arguments. The course begins with some of the basic concepts of logic, such as truth, probability, validity, soundness, proof, and consistency. Students learn how to translate arguments into symbolic languages (categorical, sentential, and predicate logics) and evaluate them using various formal techniques. Time may also be spent examining the notion of probability and the character of inductive inference, as well as detecting and explaining common fallacies. (GE3B, GEQR, PLAW)
PHIL 106. Philosophy of Law. 4 Units.
This course is an analysis of the nature and function of law. More specific topics in the course might include: the idea of law as an instrument of social control; whether democratically decided laws can ever be illegitimate; the extent to which we are obligated to obey the law; the justification for punishment, and its permissible forms; the relationship between law, morality, and justice; the appropriate role of legislators, lawyers, and judges; and the role of interpretation, coherence, and precedent in judicial reasoning. Readings draw from legal and political philosophy, social sciences, and judicial opinions. Not recommended for first-year students. (PLAW)
PSYC 031. Introduction to Psychology. 4 Units.
This course is an introduction to the major fields within psychology. Topics include: 1) experimental methods in psychology, 2) physiological psychology, 3) sensation and perception, 4) psychology of learning, 5) memory, 6) cognition and language, 7) cognitive abilities, 8), motivation and emotion, 9) human development, 10) personality, 11) abnormal psychology and treatment of mental illness, and 12) social psychology. (GE1A, GESO, PLAW)
SOCI 033. Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice. 4 Units.
This course provides an overview of the nature and extent of crime, theories of crime causation, the social correlates of crime, and the structure of the criminal justice system. The geographic focus of the course will be the United States, though international comparisons may be brought in for a comparative perspective. (ETHC, GE1A, GESO, PLAW)
SOCI 139. Corrections. 4 Units.
Students examine the history and theories of and current practices in institutional and non-institutional programs addressed to the correctional treatment of juvenile and adult offenders. Prerequisite: a course in sociology or permission of
instructor. (PLAW)
SOCI 171. Social Research Methods. 4 Units.
This course reviews and examines the various methods used in social science research to gather and analyze data. The course considers the relationship between social theory and such methodologies as experiments, observations, interviews, surveys and content analysis. It guides students in each of these data collection techniques and introduces students to quantitative and qualitative data analysis. It also considers the ethical issues involved in the use of such methods. Student designed research projects are a central part of this course. Prerequisites: SOCI 051, SOCI 071, and SOCI 079. (PLAW)
Political Science Learning Objectives
Students in the Political Science program should be able to:
- Explain or interpret politics, law, or policy by applying appropriate political science concepts or analytical approaches.
- Evaluate strengths and limitations of key political science analytical approaches.
- Summarize and synthesize the political science literature related to an important question in politics, law, or policy.
- Write clearly, concisely, and persuasively in a variety of genres related to politics, law, or policy.
- Speak clearly and effectively in public settings using appropriate presentation media.
- Demonstrate behaviors that reflect professional standards in a variety of academic and work settings.
- Demonstrate an ongoing interest in and engagement with politics.
- Find information and scholarship on political issues and evaluate the accuracy of those materials.
Political Science Faculty
Keith W. Smith, Associate Professor and Chair, 2008, BA, Pepperdine University, 1997; MPM, University of Maryland, 1999; MA, University of California, Berkeley, 2000; PhD 2005.
Jeffrey Becker, Associate Professor, 2006, BA, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1991; MA, Rutgers University, 1996; PhD, 2004. Member, Phi Beta Kappa.
Brian E. Klunk, Associate Professor, 1987, BA, Pennsylvania State University, 1977; MA, University of Virginia, 1980; PhD, 1985.
Cynthia Ostberg, Professor, 1994, BA, University of California, Berkeley, 1985; MA, Northern Illinois University, 1991; PhD, 1995.
Bianca Rubalcava, Assistant Professor, 2022, BA, St. Mary's College, 2017; MA, University of California, Irvine, 2020; PhD, University of California, Irvine, 2022.
Susan G. Sample, Professor, 1999, BA, University of Missouri, 1991: PhD, Vanderbilt University, 1996. Member, Phi Beta Kappa.
Dari Sylvester Tran, Professor, 2005, BA, Trinity College, 1998; MA State University of New York, Stony Brook, 2002; PhD, 2006. Member, Phi Beta Kappa.
