Office:
Craven Hall, Sixth Floor

Telephone:
(760) 750-4147

Department Chair:
Vicki L. Golich, Ph.D.

Faculty:
Staci Beavers, Ph.D.
M. Kent Bolton, Ph.D.
Vicki L. Golich, Ph.D.
Cynthia Chavez Metoyer, Ph.D.
Stephen Nichols, Ph.D.
Edward Thompson, III, Ph.D.
Peter R. Zwick, Ph.D.

Programs Offered:

• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
  • General Concentration
  • Global Concentration
• Minor in Political Science

Political science is the study of government, individual, and institutional behavior in the public sector; relations among nation-states; and theories of politics. Political science addresses the fundamental issues confronting modern society — war, inequality, poverty, the environment — and seeks to evaluate the processes, policies, and theories that have been devised to deal with them.

Typically, the discipline of political science is subdivided into topical fields: U.S. government and politics, including the sub­fields of public law, public admini­­stration, and public policy; comparative politics, which deals with government and politics within nations other than the United States; international rela­tions, which is the analysis of politics among nations, including foreign policy, war and peace, and political economy; and political theory, which encompasses poli­tical thought throughout the ages as well as contemporary approaches.

The Political Science Program at Cal State San Marcos offers courses in each of these areas and invites students to explore a broad spec­trum of topics. Political science majors may choose between a general concentration, which pro­vides wide exposure to the fields of political science, and a global concentration, which offers majors an opportunity to focus on foreign political systems and international relations. Majors and non-majors alike are encouraged to think criti­cally, independently, and objec­tively about government and politics. The goal of the pro­gram is to produce informed, empowered citizens who will contribute to their national and global communities.

Career Opportunities

A political science major opens the door to a broad spectrum of career opportunities. Many political science majors eventually pursue careers in law, and a num­ber of political science courses focus on legal issues and processes. A political science major is also excellent preparation for those contemplating careers in government service and public administration, either at the federal or state levels. Possibilities include working on the staff of an elected official or legislative body, working for a government agency, or serving as an elected public official. Political science is an excellent major for those planning careers in the foreign service agencies of the U.S. government, international political organiza­tions, and international corporations. Teaching in the public schools, or at the college and university level after doing gradu­ate work, is another popular career option for political science majors. Finally, many political science majors choose to pursue careers in business and industry.

Preparation

High school students should take four years of English, including composition, and social science and civics courses, including history and economics. A famili­arity with computers is also desirable. Community college transfer students should take a basic course in U.S. political institutions, which will fulfill the state code requirements for U.S. History, Constitution and Ameri­can Ideals. An introductory statistics or elementary political analysis course are also helpful. Other lower-
division political science and social science courses are highly recommended.

A maximum of three (3) lower-division units in political science may be transferred for credit toward the major.

Advising

All students are assigned to, or may select, a discipline advisor when they declare a major in political science. This faculty advisor should be consulted for any determinations of transfer course equivalents, approved electives, and other requirements.

Requirements for the Major and Minor in Political Science

Each course counted toward a major or minor in political science must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.  A minimum of eighteen (18) units counted toward the major and nine (9) units coun­ted toward the minor must be earned in residence at Cal State San Marcos.

No more than six (6) units of inde­pendent study (PSCI 498) and/or internship (PSCI 495) may be applied toward the major. Indepen­dent study and internship may be applied to field distribution depending on content of the course of study.  No more than three (3) units of PSCI 498 or PSCI 495 may be counted toward the minor.

Majors in the Global Concentration must complete three (3) upper-division units outside political science in courses that deal with global issues. This course must be approved by an advisor. Political science majors are strongly encouraged to take PSCI 100 and 301 prior to taking upper-division political science courses.

Upper-division political science courses are grouped into four fields:
U.S. Government and Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Political Theory.  Courses designated as "General” Political Science courses can be utilized to fulfill field requirements, but students must consult with their advisors to determine how these courses can be used.  In addition, LTWR 337 may be used as an elective for three (3) units of upper-division credit within the U.S. Government and Politics field.

 

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

 

Units

General Education* 51
Preparation for the Major* 3
Concentration Requirements 36
General Electives 33
Students must take a sufficient number of
elective units to bring the total number of
units to a minimum of120

Preparation for the Major

Lower-division (3 units)

Units

PSCI 100 or its equivalent3

 

General Concentration Requirements
Upper-division (36 units)           

Units

PSCI 3013
PSCI 3313
PSCI 3503
PSCI 3703

Any upper-division course in U.S.
Government and Politics Field3

Additional upper-division units in three (3)
of four (4) fields of political science (U.S.
Government and Politics, Comparative
Politics, International Politics,
Political Theory)21

*Three (3) lower-division General Education units in the Area D (Social Sciences ) are automatically satisfied by PSCI 100 which is required as preparation for the major.

Global Concentration Requirements

Units

PSCI 3013
PSCI 3313
PSCI 3503
PSCI 3703

Any upper-division units in Comparative
Politics and International Politics fields
of political science 21

Upper-division, non-political science course
dealing with global issues (to be approved
by advisor)3

 

MINOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

Lower-division (3 units)

Units

PSCI 100 or its equivalent 3

Upper-division (15 units)           

Units

Six (6) units selected from the following:6
PSCI 331
PSCI 350
PSCI 370

Nine (9) units of political science
electives9

Total Units18