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The program’s mission is to “acquire and convey substantive knowledge about politics, government and public life, encourage our students to develop critical skills for informed, active participation in political communities, and facilitate and encourage experiential learning as a complement to traditional pedagogies”.

Rooted in an inclusive, collaborative learning community, the department upholds polytechnic values through a rigorous curriculum spanning eight core subfields-from American politics to international relations-and offers advanced training via a year-long senior thesis or internship capstone. Faculty are active scholars whose work informs public policy and administration, and whose mentorship supports student-led research initiatives in areas such as public administration and political theory.

Students benefit from robust experiential learning opportunities, with competitive internships in California state government and Washington, D.C., which includes 100 hours of supervised service. The department also hosts a Political Science Club, Model UN, Mock Trial, and Pi Sigma Alpha honor society, and encourages participation in study-away programs and undergraduate research. These experiences empower students to engage directly with political processes while building networks and professional skills.

Programs

• Political Science, B.A.: 120 units

• Public Administration, M.P.A.: 36-39 units

• Political Science Minor: 18 units

Courses

• MPA 5000 - Special Study for Graduate Students (1-3)
• MPA 5010 - Public Policy Formation and Implementation (3)
• MPA 5020 - Public Fiscal Administration (3)
• MPA 5030 - Human Resources in the Public Sector (3)
• MPA 5040 - Research Methods for Public Administration (3)
• MPA 5050 - Qualitative Research Methods for Public Administration (3)
• MPA 5080 - Public Service Ethics (3)
• MPA 5100 - Theories of Public Administration and Democratic Governance (3)
• MPA 5200 - Intergovernmental Relations (3)
• MPA 5225 - City Management (3)
• MPA 5245 - Non-Governmental Organizations (3)
• MPA 5255 - Administrative Law (3)
• MPA 5265 - Crisis /Emergency Management (3)
• MPA 5285 - Leadership in Public Organizations (3)
• MPA 5410 - Internship (1-3)
• MPA 5500 - Public Policy Program Evaluation (3)
• MPA 5585 - Urban Governance, Politics, and Administration (3)
• MPA 5605 - Criminal Justice: Politics and Administration (3)
• MPA 5655 - Community Sustainability Policy (3)
• MPA 5990 - Special Topics for Graduate Students (1-3)
• MPA 5990A - Special Topics for Graduate Students Activity (1-3)
• MPA 5990L - Special Topics for Graduate Students Laboratory (1-3)
• MPA 6000 - Capstone Seminar for Public Administration (3)
• MPA 6910 - Directed Research (1-3)
• MPA 6920 - Independent Research (1-3)
• MPA 6950 - Project (3)
• MPA 6960 - Master’s Thesis (3)
• MPA 6970 - Comprehensive Examination (3)
• MPA 6990 - Master’s Degree Continuation (0)

• PLS 1011 - Introduction to Political Science (3)
• PLS 2000 - Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• PLS 2010 - Introduction to American Government (3) [GE 4B] [AmInst-B]
• PLS 2020 - Introduction to Comparative Government (3) [GE 4A]
• PLS 2030 - Introduction to International Relations (3) [GE 4A]
• PLS 2040 - Introduction to Political Thought (3)
• PLS 2051 - Research Methods (3)
• PLS 2060 - Introduction to Public Administration (3)
• PLS 2070 - Introduction to Public Law (3)
• PLS 2080 - Introduction to Race and Ethnic Politics (3) [GE 6]
• PLS 2990 - Special Topics for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• PLS 2990A - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Activity (1-3)
• PLS 2990L - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Laboratory (1-3)
• PLS 3011 - Constitutional Law: Governmental Powers (3)
• PLS 3021 - Constitutional Law: Rights and Liberties (3)
• PLS 3031 - Constitutional Law: Criminal Justice (3)
• PLS 3041 - The Criminal Justice System (3)
• PLS 3055 - Advanced Research Methods (2)
• PLS 3055A - Advanced Research Methods Activity (1)
• PLS 3065 - Qualitative Methods in Political Science (3)
• PLS 3075 - Interpretive and Theoretical Research Methodology (3)
• PLS 3080 - Mock Trial (2)
• PLS 3080A - Mock Trial Activity (1)
• PLS 3150 - Politics of Public Policy (3)
• PLS 3165 - Urban Administration, Politics and Policy (3)
• PLS 3175 - NGOs and Social Service Outreach (3)
• PLS 3250 - The American Congress (3)
• PLS 3260 - The American Presidency (3)
• PLS 3270 - The American Judiciary (3)
• PLS 3275 - Asian American Politics (3) [GE 6]
• PLS 3285 - Race and Ethnic Politics in the United States (3)
• PLS 3311 - Ancient and Medieval Political Thought (3)
• PLS 3321 - Modern Political Thought (3)
• PLS 3331 - American Political Thought (3)
• PLS 3345 - Feminist Political Theory (3)
• PLS 3410 - Comparative Democratization (3)
• PLS 3420 - Politics of Developing Areas (3)
• PLS 3431 - Ethnic Conflict (3)
• PLS 3521 - US Foreign Policy (3)
• PLS 3541 - International Political Economy (3)
• PLS 3551 - International War and Peace (3)
• PLS 3561 - International Law (3)
• PLS 3821 - Politics, Policies, Pop Culture (3) [GE 4C]
• PLS 4000 - Special Study for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• PLS 4050 - Jurisprudence (3)
• PLS 4090 - Contemporary Issues in American Law (3)
• PLS 4160 - Public Organizations (3)
• PLS 4170 - Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation (3)
• PLS 4180S - The Politics of Neighborhood Change Service Learning (3)
• PLS 4190 - Social Capital: Theories and Applications (3)
• PLS 4205 - American Political Institutions and Behavior (3) [GE 4C] [AmInst-B]
• PLS 4211 - Voting and Elections in the United States (3)
• PLS 4221 - Political Campaign Management (1)
• PLS 4221A - Political Campaign Management Activity (2)
• PLS 4231 - Race and Ethnic Politics in the United States (3)
• PLS 4245 - Public Opinion (3)
• PLS 4250 - Women and Politics in America (3)
• PLS 4265 - Political Communication and Media (3)
• PLS 4341 - Advanced American Political Thought (3)
• PLS 4360 - Contemporary Political Theory (3)
• PLS 4365 - Contemporary Issues in Feminist Political Theory (3)
• PLS 4375 - Coalitional Activism: Women of Color Feminist Interventions (3)
• PLS 4381 - Environmental Political Theory (3)
• PLS 4411W - Senior Internship I (3)
• PLS 4412W - Senior Internship II (3)
• PLS 4421 - Political Science Internship (1)
• PLS 4421A - Political Science Internship Activity (2)
• PLS 4430 - European Governments and Politics (3)
• PLS 4440 - Latin American Governments and Politics (3)
• PLS 4450 - Sub-Saharan African Governments and Politics (3)
• PLS 4460 - Middle Eastern Governments and Politics (3)
• PLS 4470 - Government and Politics of the Russian Federation (3)

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