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Political Science |
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| In the College of Arts and Letters | OFFICE: Nasatir Hall TELEPHONE: (619) 594-6244 FAX: (619) 594-7302 |
Political science is the study of governments. Its concerns, however, are not limited to formal governmental institutions such as the executive and legislative branches or the justice systems. Political science is also interested in other organizations and activities which are part of the process of government, including political parties, interest groups, and the press.
Students who become political science majors will learn about who creates the rules by which people are governed, the attitude and behavior of leaders and members of the public which cause certain decisions to be made, and how these decisions affect such values as liberty, equality, welfare, and justice. Political science is concerned with contemporary public affairs, problems in other political systems and contemporary international politics, as well as with historical growth, evolution, and decline of various types of governments.
The many career opportunities which might be available to political science graduates include teaching at the secondary level; positions with the federal government in areas such as intelligence, foreign affairs, environmental protection, and budget and computer administration; positions with state and local governments, including administrative aide for a city manager, staff assistant for a county supervisor, and assistant to the registrar of voters; administrative positions on the staffs of national, state, and local legislators; claims adjuster or claims representative; statistical technician; marketing researcher; lobbyist for a business or trade organization; political reporter; and title office trainee.
All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser in order to declare or change to the major.
With the B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
(Major Code: 22071)
All candidates for a degree in liberal arts and sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this catalog on "Graduation Requirements." No more than 48 units in political science courses can apply to the degree.
Students majoring in political science must complete a minor in another field.
Preparation for the Major. Political Science 101, 102, 103 and three units of either statistics or logic. (12 units)
See Political Science 201 for listing of courses in other departments that fulfill the statistics requirement.
Foreign Language Requirement. Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one foreign language as part of the preparation for the major. Refer to section of catalog on "Graduation Requirements."
Upper Division Writing Requirement. Passing the University Writing Examination or History 430W, Linguistics 305W, Rhetoric and Writing Studies 305W or 500W, or Sociology 396W with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Major. A minimum of 24 upper division units to include (a) three units in Political Science 495, 497 or 498, and (b) 21 upper division units in political science distributed among at least four of the fields listed below, provided that at least three units shall be taken in Field I.
The minor in political science consists of a minimum of 18 units in political science to include Political Science 101 and either 102 or 103; twelve of the 18 units must be in upper division courses and at least nine of these units must be selected from one of the following subject matter areas:
Politics and Public Law (Fields II and III)
Comparative Politics and International Politics (Fields IV and V)
Courses in the minor may not be counted toward the major, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and general education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six upper division units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University.
Basic political concepts as applied to the American political system. The American political system as a constitutional democracy with reference to specific topics. When taken with Political Science 102 will satisfy graduation requirement in American Institutions.
Political processes and institutions in the United States and California. Considers a variety of public policy issues such as environmental quality, health, education, relation between government and business, taxation, and foreign affairs as reflected in the dynamics of national and state politics. When taken with Political Science 101 will satisfy graduation requirement in American Institutions. Credit will not be allowed for both Political Science 102 and 320.
Analytical models and techniques for examination of the problems of decision making and control in various political systems. Emphasis on patterns of political action in various cultural contexts.
Prerequisites: Course in intermediate algebra; Political Science 101 and 102; satisfaction of the Entry-Level Mathematics requirement; and qualification on the Mathematics Departmental Placement Examination, Part IA.
Quantitative methods in political science. Tabular and graphic presentation, measures of central tendency, simple correlation and sampling techniques. Students with credit or concurrent registration in the following lower division statistics courses will be awarded a total of four units for the two (or more) courses: Biology 215, Economics 201, Engineering 140, Political Science 201, Psychology 270, Sociology 201, Statistics 119, 250.
Prerequisite recommended: Political Science 102.
Popular motion pictures analyzed from perspective of political content. Thematic implications concerning power, justice, social change, and revolution. Construction of alternative political realities present in popular media.
Selected topics. May be repeated with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree.
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Intended for Undergraduates)
Prerequisites: Political Science 101 and 102.
The contribution of the artistic media to the activity and understanding of politics.
Prerequisites: Limited to senior political science majors; three upper division units within Field II.
Seniors in the major choose internships within San Diego County in government agencies, offices of elected officials, or others approved by instructor. Requires 160 hours of fieldwork and periodic analytical essays.
Selected topics. May be repeated with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree.
Prerequisite: Limited to senior political science majors.
Senior thesis. Analysis of special topics.
Prerequisites: Twelve upper division units in political science and consent of the instructor.
Individual study. Maximum credit six units.
UPPER DIVISION COURSE
(Also Acceptable for Advanced Degrees)
Prerequisite: Upper division or graduate standing.
Selected topics in political science. May be repeated with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree. Maximum credit of six units of 596. Maximum credit of three units of 596 applicable to a master's degree. Maximum credit of six units of 596 applicable to a 30-unit master's degree.
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Intended for Undergraduates)
Prerequisites: Completion of the General Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors. Political Science 301A is prerequisite to 301B.
Development of political ideas from the Golden Age of Greece until the French Revolution. Relevance of theory to a critical understanding of concrete political and social problems involving power, freedom, equality, justice and action. 301A emphasizes Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, and Marsilius of Padua. 301B stresses major political theorists such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
Prerequisite: Completion of the General Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Major writers of political thought in the last two centuries, including Burke, J.S. Mill, Freud, Marx, Weber and Sartre. The following topics may be covered: conservatism, liberalism, utilitarianism, socialism, fascism, positivism and existentialism.
The origin and development of American political ideas from colonial times to the present. Meets the graduation requirement in the United States Constitution. When taken with Political Science 320, 321 or 422, will also satisfy graduation requirements in American Institutions.
Socialist thought from a historical perspective.
Origin and development of theories of democracy and application of democratic ideas to contemporary political life.
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Also Acceptable for Advanced Degrees)
Prerequisite: Political Science 201. Political Science 515A is prerequisite to 515B.
The research process, from research design through data processing, analysis and interpretation. Problems of application to election statistics, census data, roll call records, sample survey data and biographical information.
Field II: American Government and Politics
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Intended for Undergraduates)
The principles of the Constitution of the United States of America, and a survey of the political and social institutions which have developed under the Constitution. Meets the graduation requirement in the United States Constitution and California state and local government. When taken with Political Science 305, 321 or 422, will also satisfy graduation requirements in American Institutions. Credit will not be allowed for both Political Science 102 and 320.
Politics and policy making at the state and local levels, relations among national, state, and local governments. Emphasis on California problems and politics. Meets the graduation requirement in California government. When taken with Political Science 305 or 320, will also satisfy graduation requirements in American Institutions.
Analysis of political process as it shapes environmental policy in a world characterized by finite resources. Emphasis on expanding national and international claims made upon these resources. May include a substantial amount of material about foreign political systems.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 and 102.
Theory and practice of process of formulating public policy; roles of administrators, legislators, courts, interest groups, and political parties; public agencies and public interest; case studies in formulating public policies. May include a substantial amount of material about foreign political systems.
A detailed analysis of legislatures. Special attention will be devoted to the impact of dynamic factors on formal procedures. May include a substantial amount of material about foreign political systems.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or 102.
The processes by which social conflicts in American urban areas are represented and regulated. Urban political culture; ecology; group development and activity; power structures; and reform movements are surveyed. The character of the urban political "problem" and proposed solutions are evaluated. Meets graduation requirement in California state and local government. When taken with Political Science 305 or 320, will also satisfy all requirements in American Institutions.
Prerequisites: Political Science 102.
Social and attitudinal variables in political behavior. Quantitative research data as used in electoral studies. May include a substantial amount of material about foreign political systems.
Communication as a political process; the effects of political communication on individuals and groups. May include a substantial amount of material about foreign political systems.
Prerequisites: Political Science 101 and 102.
Analysis of principal institutions, functions and problems of the presidency and federal executive branch. Attention given to presidential leadership, staffing, executive-legislative relations and policy formation.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Students will be assigned to political agencies in Washington, D.C., such as congressional staffs, interest groups, executive agencies, legal/judicial offices and political party committees. Maximum credit three units applicable to the major or minor in political science.
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Also Acceptable for Advanced Degrees)
Prerequisite: Political Science 102 or 320.
The political party as a part of the process of government; party organization and activities; nominating and campaign methods; theories and functions of the party system; party responsibility. The functioning of political parties in the American political system. May include a substantial amount of material about foreign political systems.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or 102.
Pressure group activity, lobbies, mass movements; factors which explain origins and motivations of group behavior; votes, money, information, protest as political resources; theories of pluralism, power elite and mass society; class and ethnic politics. May include a substantial amount of material about foreign political systems.
Prerequisites: Political Science 101 and 102.
An analysis of the bureaucracy as an actor in the political system. May include a substantial amount of material about foreign political systems.
Field III: Public Law
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Intended for Undergraduates)
Forces influencing the making of law; relationship between social and legal change; nature and limits of the judicial function.
Substantive principles of American constitutional law. Rights and liberties protected by the Constitution against action of federal and state governments. May include problems of judicial review, federal system, separation of powers, nature of selected congressional-presidential powers. Satisfies graduation requirement in United States Constitution. (Formerly numbered Political Science 547A-547B.)
Recent decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States and their relationship to contemporary political and social issues. Not open to those students with credit for Political Science 347A-347B.
Prerequisites: Political Science 101 and 102, and three upper division units within Field III.
Exploration of selected issues in the field of law.
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Intended for Undergraduates)
Prerequisite: Completion of the General Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
The political systems of countries of western continental Europe.
The structure and functioning of the English parliamentary system with emphasis on present-day political principles and parties.
Contemporary developments in Russia and states of former Soviet Union. Focus on Gorbachev era and post-Gorbachev transformations of political, economic, and social systems.
Prerequisites: Political Science 101 or 103; and completion of the General Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
Internal political systems, governmental structures and the foreign policies of developing nations.
Prerequisite: Completion of the General Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
The internal political structure and foreign policies of China, Japan, and Korea.
Prerequisite: Completion of the General Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for nonmajors.
The governmental and political structures of representative states in the Middle East including Turkey, Israel and the Arab states.
Dynamics of social and political change in modern Africa.
Prerequisites: Political Science 101, 102 or 103; and completion of the General Education requirement in Foundations II.B., Social and Behavioral Sciences required for non-majors.
Underlying conditions, expressions and consequences of violence within political systems.
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Also Acceptable for Advanced Degrees)
Prerequisite: Political Science 103.
An examination of selected political and governmental systems for purposes of comparative study and analysis to determine similarities, differences and general patterns and universals among political systems.
Prerequisite: Political Science 103 or 335.
Ways that political and social factors shape policy choices, implementation strategies, and policy outcomes in selected countries, emphasis on industrialized nations. Policy areas chosen from: education, health, nutrition, crime, transportation, housing, energy, population control, poverty, unemployment, inflation.
Prerequisite: Political Science 103 or 362.
Governmental structures, political processes, and public policies of Japanese political system. Recent political history and cultural factors which shape Japanese politics. Japanese foreign policies, especially the Japan-United States relationship.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or 103.
General pattern of politics and political development in Latin America with an emphasis on those features which condition domestic and foreign policy making.
Prerequisite: Political Science 566.
Domestic and international politics of selected Latin American states.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or 103.
Principal factors in Mexican governmental decision making. Ideology, political groups, tactics of leaders and governmental structure.
Field V: International Politics
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Intended for Undergraduates)
Dynamics of conflict and cooperation among national, international and transnational actors; contributing political, economic, and social factors.
Contemporary problems in international relations. See Class Schedule for specific content.
Institutional arrangements by which American foreign policy decisions are formulated and implemented. Issues confronted by American foreign policy decision makers.
Objectives, instruments, and consequences of national security policy.
Prerequisite: Six units of political science.
Cooperation and conflict between the developing nations and relations of such nations with the developed countries.
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Also Acceptable for Advanced Degrees)
Prerequisite: Political Science 362 or 375 or 482.
Dynamics of conflict and cooperation among nations of the Pacific Rim. Stress on political and economics factors that shape interstate relations.
The function of law in the international community. The historical development of the ideas and rules of international law and their place in the modern diplomatic and legal structure.
GRADUATE COURSES
Refer to the Graduate Bulletin.
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