Pacific Legal Scholars Program

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. (ENST, 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. (ENST, 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. 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.