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 advisor or view it and other current advising information at http://em.csuchico.edu/aap/ProgramSearch.

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.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See "Diversity Requirement" in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.

U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals: 6 units

See "U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals" under "Bachelor's Degree Requirements". This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155 or approved equivalents. 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

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option or advising pattern, are outlined following the major core program requirements.

Major Core Program: 10 units

Foundation: 4 units

2 courses required:

POLS 331 Introduction to Political Inquiry 3.0 FS WP
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.
POLS 331X Techniques in Political Science Research 1.0 FS

Political Theory: 3 units

1 course selected from:

POLS 431 American Political Thought 3.0 FA
POLS 432 Recent American Political Thought 3.0 SP
POLS 434 Origins of Western Political Thought 3.0 Inq

This course is also offered as PHIL 434.

POLS 436 Liberal and Conservative Traditions 3.0 FA

This course is also offered as PHIL 436.

POLS 437 Contemporary Political Thought 3.0 Inq

This course is also offered as PHIL 437.

POLS 438 Jurisprudence: Philosophy of Law 3.0 FS

This course is also offered as PHIL 438.

International Relations: 3 units

1 course required:

POLS 341 International Relations 3.0 FS *

Major Option Course Requirements: 26-36 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: 26 units

American Government and Politics: 6 units

2 courses selected from:

POLS 324 Women and Politics 3.0 FS *

This course is also offered as WMST 324.

POLS 327 The Politics of Race and Ethnicity in the United States 3.0 FS USD

This course is also offered as MCGS 327.

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 Political Socialization and Behavior 3.0 SP
POLS 423 Political Parties: Who Gets What, When, How 3.0 Inq
POLS 424 Public Opinion and Propaganda 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: CMST 131, CMST 330, CMST 331, CMST 350, and CMST 370 with a grade of C- or higher for CMST majors only.

This course is also offered as CMST 424, and JOUR 424.

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
POLS 473 Congress 3.0 SP

Constitutional Law: 3 units

1 course selected from:

POLS 451A Constitutional Law: Powers and Restraints 3.0 Inq
POLS 451B Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 3.0 FS

This course is also offered as MCGS 451B.

POLS 453 Legal Process and Behavior 3.0 Inq

Community Service Internship: 3 units

1 course selected from:

POLS 480 The Student Journal of Politics 3.0 -6.0 FS
POLS 489A Internship in Public Administration 1.0 -3.0 FS
Prerequisites: 3.0 cumulative GPA and faculty permission.
POLS 489C Internship in Political Science 1.0 -3.0 FS
Prerequisites: 3.0 cumulative GPA and faculty permission.
POLS 489E Internship in Criminal Justice 1.0 -3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
POLS 489K Internship in Legal Studies 1.0 -3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
POLS 489L Internship in Public Law 1.0 -3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
POLS 489P Work or Community Experience in Selected Governmental or Community Agencies 1.0 -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 Problems 1.0 -3.0 FS

Take POLS 399 for 1 unit.

POLS 429 Capstone in American Politics 3.0 FS

Elective Requirement: 9 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: 29-36 units

Option Core Program: 17-18 units

5 courses required:

POLS 351 Introduction to Legal Studies 3.0 FS
POLS 451B Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 3.0 FS

This course is also offered as MCGS 451B.

POLS 454 Legal Research 3.0 FS
POLS 459 Capstone in Public Law 3.0 FS
POLS 489K Internship in Legal Studies 1.0 -3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

Note: POLS 489K must be taken for 3 units

1 course selected from:

POLS 491F Simulation in Political Science: Public Law 2.0 FA
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.
POLS 491G Trial and Appellate Advocacy 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.

Advising Pattern Course Requirements: 12-18 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: 18 units

3 courses required:

MGMT 345 Negotiation Techniques for Conflict Resolution 3.0 FA
POLS 452 Alternative Dispute Resolution 3.0 Inq
POLS 489L Internship in Public Law 1.0 -3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

3 courses selected from:

BLAW 413 Employment Law 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: At least junior standing.
BLAW 414 Labor Law and Collective Bargaining 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: At least junior standing or faculty permission.
CMST 370 Introduction to Organizational Communication 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: CMST 131, CMST 330, CMST 331 with a grade of C- or higher.
PHIL 342 Roots of War and Prospects for Peace 3.0 FS *
PHIL 344 Comparative Peace Studies 3.0 FS *
POLS 422 Political Socialization and Behavior 3.0 SP
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 466 Administrative Behavior 3.0 Inq
POLS 493 Community Research 1.0 -15.0 FS
Prerequisites: Approval of the Department of Political Science.
POLS 489M Community Legal Information Center Directorship 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Approval of the Department of Political Science
PSYC 395 Social Psychology 3.0 FS
SOCI 486 Sociology of Law 3.0 Inq

Other appropriate courses may be selected with the prior permission of the Legal Studies Coordinator.

Law and the Environment Pattern: 12 units

4 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 or faculty permission.
POLS 461 Environmental Politics and Administration 3.0 FA
POLS 464 Administrative Law 3.0 FA
POLS 468 Planning Law 3.0 SP
POLS 489G Internship in Sustainability 1.0 -3.0 FS
POLS 489L Internship in Public Law 1.0 -3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
POLS 489M Community Legal Information Center Directorship 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Approval of the Department of Political Science

Law and Theory Pattern: 12 units

4 courses selected from:

POLS 451A Constitutional Law: Powers and Restraints 3.0 Inq
POLS 452 Alternative Dispute Resolution 3.0 Inq
POLS 453 Legal Process and Behavior 3.0 Inq
POLS 456 Legal Analysis 3.0 Inq
POLS 464 Administrative Law 3.0 FA
POLS 489L Internship in Public Law 1.0 -3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
POLS 489M Community Legal Information Center Directorship 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Approval of the Department of Political Science
SOCI 486 Sociology of Law 3.0 Inq

Law and Social Interests Pattern: 12 units

4 courses selected from:

HCSV 332 Laws, Ethics, and Regulations in Health Services 3.0 FA
POLS 401 Sexual Minorities, Law, and Politics 3.0 Inq

This course is also offered as MCGS 401.

POLS 410 Issues in Legal Studies 3.0 Inq
POLS 426 Women and the Law 3.0 Inq

This course is also offered as WMST 426.

POLS 443 International Law 3.0 Inq
POLS 457 American Indian/Federal Law 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course is also offered as AIST 457.

POLS 459A Criminal Procedure 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: POLS 250.
POLS 461 Environmental Politics and Administration 3.0 FA
POLS 465 The Administration of Justice 3.0 Inq
POLS 481 Law and Disadvantaged Persons 3.0 Inq

This course is also offered as SWRK 481.

POLS 489L Internship in Public Law 1.0 -3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
POLS 489M Community Legal Information Center Directorship 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Approval of the Department of Political Science

Paralegal Studies Pattern: 18 units

2 courses required:

POLS 455 The Legal Para-Professional 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: POLS 454
POLS 489L Internship in Public Law 1.0 -3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

4 courses selected from:

BLAW 411 Commercial Law 3.0 Inq
Prerequisites: BLAW 302.
BLAW 412 Business and 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 and Collective Bargaining 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: At least junior standing or faculty permission.
EDAD 614 The Law and Education 3.0 FS
FINA 453 Estate Planning 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: FINA 307.
HCSV 332 Laws, Ethics, and Regulations in Health Services 3.0 FA
JOUR 320 Mass Communication Law 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: JOUR 101, JOUR 260.
POLS 410 Issues in Legal Studies 3.0 Inq
POLS 443 International Law 3.0 Inq
POLS 451A Constitutional Law: Powers and Restraints 3.0 Inq
POLS 452 Alternative Dispute Resolution 3.0 Inq
POLS 453 Legal Process and Behavior 3.0 Inq
POLS 456 Legal Analysis 3.0 Inq
POLS 457 American Indian/Federal Law 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course is also offered as AIST 457.

POLS 459A Criminal Procedure 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: POLS 250.
POLS 461 Environmental Politics and Administration 3.0 FA
POLS 464 Administrative Law 3.0 FA
POLS 465 The Administration of Justice 3.0 Inq
POLS 468 Planning Law 3.0 SP
POLS 481 Law and Disadvantaged Persons 3.0 Inq

This course is also offered as SWRK 481.

POLS 489M Community Legal Information Center Directorship 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Approval of the Department of Political Science
POLS 493 Community Research 1.0 -15.0 FS
Prerequisites: Approval of the Department of Political Science.
RECR 428 Recreation Law and 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.

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 advisor 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 advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

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 academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. 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.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are

1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) 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 for your major 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% of majors in your department.

4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% 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 advisor to apply.