THE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units
See "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in The University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major adviser or view it and other current advising information on the CSU, Chico Web.
General Education Requirements: 48 units
See "General Education Requirements" in The University Catalog and The Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings. The course requirements marked below with an asterisk (*) may also be applied toward General Education.
Cultural Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
See "Cultural Diversity" in The University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
American Institutions Requirement: 6 units
See the "American Institutions Requirement" under "Bachelor's Degree Requirements." This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155. Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General Education.
Literacy Requirement:
See "Mathematics and Writing Requirements" in The University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or better to receive WP credit. See The Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register for a WP course.
Course Requirements for the Major: 36-46 units
The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.
DEGREE CORE REQUIREMENTS: 13 units Foundation: 7 units
1 course required:
| POLS | 330 | Comp Applications in Pol Sci | 3.0 | FS |
Or you may substitute any equivalent course.
2 courses required:
| POLS | 331 | Intro to Political Inquiry | 3.0 | FS WP |
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.
| POLS | 331X | Techniqs in Political Sci Res | 1.0 | FS |
Political Theory: 3 units
1 course selected from:
| POLS | 431 | American Political Thought | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 432 | Recent Amer Political Thought | 3.0 | SP |
| POLS | 434 | Origin West Political Thought | 3.0 | Inq |
| POLS | 436 | Liberal/Conservative Trad | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 437 | Contemporary Political Thought | 3.0 | Inq |
| POLS | 438 | Jurisprudence/Phil of Law | 3.0 | FA |
International Relations: 3 units
1 course required:
| POLS | 341 | International Relations | 3.0 | FS * |
Major Option Course Requirements: 23-33 units
The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.
OPTION IN GENERAL POLITICAL SCIENCE: 23 units
American Government and Politics: 6 units
2 courses selected from:
| POLS | 324 | Women and Politics | 3.0 | FS * |
| POLS | 327 | Poltcs of Race/Ethnicity in US | 3.0 | FS Eth |
| POLS | 402 | State Government | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 403 | Local Government | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 404 | Interest Groups and Lobbying | 3.0 | FA |
Prerequisites: POLS 402 and POLS 473 are recommended.
| POLS | 422 | Politic Socialization/Behavior | 3.0 | SP |
| POLS | 423 | Political Parties | 3.0 | Inq |
| POLS | 424 | Public Opinion and Propaganda | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 425 | Survey Research Methods | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: SOCI 310 or SWRK 330; SOCI 315 or other statistics course by permission of instructor. CMST majors: COM 202. POLS majors: POLS 421.
| POLS | 427 | U.S. Campaigns and Elections | 3.0 | Inq |
| POLS | 471A | Public Policy Formation | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 472 | The Presidency | 3.0 | SP |
Constitutional Law: 3 units
1 course selected from:
| POLS | 451A | Found Amer Constitution Law | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 451B | Civil Rights/Civil Liberties | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 453 | Legal Process and Behavior | 3.0 | FA |
Community Service Internship: 3 units
1 course selected from:
| POLS | 480 | The Student Jrnl of Politics | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 489A | Intern Public Administration1.0 | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: 3.0 cumulative GPA and faculty permission.
| POLS | 489C | Internship in Political Sci1.0 | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: 3.0 cumulative GPA and faculty permission.
| POLS | 489E | Internship in Criminal Justice1.0 | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
| POLS | 489K | Internship in Legal Studies1.0 | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
| POLS | 489L | Internship in Public Law | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
| POLS | 489P | Work Experience Pub Agencies1.0 | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: Senior standing, faculty permission.
Senior Capstone: 5 units
3 courses required:
| POLS | 397 | Tutorial in Political Science | 1.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
| POLS | 399 | Special Problems1.0 | 3.0 | FS |
Take POLS 399 for 1 unit.
| POLS | 429 | Capstone in American Politics | 3.0 | FS |
Elective Requirement: 6 units
6 units selected from:
Any upper-division political science (POLS) courses (with no more than 6 units from internships and 3 units of independent research or study counting toward the major).
OPTION IN LEGAL STUDIES: 24-33 units
Option Core Program: 12 units
3 courses required:
| POLS | 351 | Introduction to Legal Studies | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 451B | Civil Rights/Civil Liberties | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 489K | Internship in Legal Studies1.0 | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
1 course selected from:
| POLS | 438 | Jurisprudence/Phil of Law | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 451A | Found Amer Constitution Law | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 459 | Capstone in Public Law | 3.0 | FS |
Advising Pattern Course Requirements: 12-21 units
The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required depending upon the advising pattern chosen. Students must select one of the following advising patterns for completion of the major course requirements.
The Option in Legal Studies requires selection of one of the patterns listed below. The following patterns must be followed, unless prior approval is obtained from the Coordinator of the Legal Studies Program.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PATTERN: 21 units
4 courses required:
| MGMT | 345 | Negotiation Techn for Conflict | 3.0 | SP |
| POLS | 452 | Altern Dispute Resolution | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 454 | Legal Research | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 489L | Internship in Public Law | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
1 course selected from:
| POLS | 422 | Politic Socialization/Behavior | 3.0 | SP |
| POLS | 442 | International Organizations | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 443 | International Law | 3.0 | FS |
| PHIL | 342 | Roots of War: Phil Survey | 3.0 | FS * |
| PHIL | 344 | Comparative Peace Studies | 3.0 | FS * |
2 courses selected from:
| POLS | 438 | Jurisprudence/Phil of Law | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 460D | Collective Bargaining | 3.0 | JA |
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
| POLS | 462 | Organizational Theory | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: POLS 460A or concurrent enrollment.
| POLS | 464 | Administrative Law | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 493 | Community Research | 3.0 | 15.0FS |
Prerequisites: Approval of the Department of Political Science.
| BLAW | 413 | Employment Law | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: At least junior standing.
| BLAW | 414 | Labor Law/Collective Bargain | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: At least junior standing or faculty permission.
Other appropriate courses may be selected with the prior permission of the Legal Studies Coordinator.
LAW AND THE ENVIRONMENT PATTERN: 12 units
3 courses selected from:
| GEOG | 423 | Planning Methods | 3.0 | Inq |
Prerequisites: GEOG 315, GEOG 320.
| GEOG | 427 | Environmental Impact Analysis | 3.0 | SP |
Prerequisites: GEOG 320 or equivalent.
| POLS | 461 | Environmental Politics/Admin | 3.0 | SP |
| POLS | 489L | Internship in Public Law | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
| POLS | 491G | Simulation: Public Law | 3.0 | SP |
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.
1 course selected from:
| POLS | 454 | Legal Research | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 456 | Legal Analysis | 3.0 | FS |
LAW AND THEORY PATTERN: 12 units
3 courses selected from:
| POLS | 426 | Women and the Law | 3.0 | Inq |
| POLS | 438 | Jurisprudence/Phil of Law | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 453 | Legal Process and Behavior | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 459 | Capstone in Public Law | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 465 | Administration of Justice | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 489L | Internship in Public Law | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
1 course selected from:
| POLS | 454 | Legal Research | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 456 | Legal Analysis | 3.0 | FS |
LAW AND SOCIAL INTERESTS PATTERN: 12 units
3 courses selected from:
| POLS | 443 | International Law | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 456 | Legal Analysis | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 459 | Capstone in Public Law | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 489L | Internship in Public Law | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
| POLS | 491G | Simulation: Public Law | 3.0 | SP |
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.
1 course selected from:
| POLS | 454 | Legal Research | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 456 | Legal Analysis | 3.0 | FS |
PARALEGAL STUDIES PATTERN: 20-21 units
3 courses required:
| POLS | 454 | Legal Research | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 455 | Legal Para-Professional | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 489L | Internship in Public Law | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
1 course selected from:
| POLS | 491F | Simulation: Public Law | 2.0 | FA |
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.
| POLS | 491G | Simulation: Public Law | 3.0 | SP |
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.
9 units selected from:
| AIST | 457 | American Indian/Federal Law | 3.0 | FA |
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
| BLAW | 411 | Commercial Law | 3.0 | Inq |
Prerequisites: BLAW 302.
| BLAW | 412 | Business/Government Regulation | 3.0 | Inq |
Prerequisites: At least junior standing.
| BLAW | 413 | Employment Law | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: At least junior standing.
| BLAW | 414 | Labor Law/Collective Bargain | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: At least junior standing or faculty permission.
| HCSV | 332 | Laws/Ethics/Regs in Hlth Svc | 3.0 | SP |
| POLS | 398 | Special Topics1.0 | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 399 | Special Problems1.0 | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 443 | International Law | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 456 | Legal Analysis | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 464 | Administrative Law | 3.0 | FA |
| POLS | 465 | Administration of Justice | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 493 | Community Research | 3.0 | 15.0FS |
Prerequisites: Approval of the Department of Political Science.
| RECR | 428 | Recr Law & Legal Principles | 3.0 | FS |
Prerequisites: RECR 200; concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of RECR 220, RECR 240, RECR 250, or RECR 260; or faculty permission.
| SWRK | 480 | Law and Disadvantaged Persons | 3.0 | Inq |
Electives Requirement:
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total university offerings. You should consult with an adviser regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your university experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.
Grading Requirement:
All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.
Advising Requirement:
Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate adviser for specific information.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It involves 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.
Your Honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair. Most importantly, however, the Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the university for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or competition in shows; such experience is valuable for graduate school and later professional life.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are
1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. At least 3 of these 6 units are independent study (499H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B. 2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units. 3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent of majors in your department. 4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent of majors in your department. 5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year. 6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your Honors project.
While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major adviser for further information.