Department of Political Science


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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS


	* Courses not offered every year. INTRODUCTORY COURSES 100 Introduction to Political Science Political Science as the study of political behavior from various perspectives—individual, group, national, and international; exploring the role of science, values, and theories in the study of politics and providing examples of American, comparative, and international politics. Students participate in a simulation exercise to experience major aspects of political behavior. Each department member participates in some aspect of this course. One semester, 3 credits. 110 American Government and Politics The governmental institutions and political processes of the American political system; attitudes and behavior of citizens; the policymaking process and the key issues of American politics. Satisfies the state teaching credential requirement in American Constitution. One semester, 3 credits. 140 Comparative Politics Compares different ways of organizing politics in more and less developed countries in various regions of the world. Primary themes include political legitimacy and authority, representation, and patterns of political change. One semester, 3 credits. AMERICAN POLITICS *205 Women in American Politics Examines the changing role of women in American politics and society, including the suffrage movement, the ERA, work and career patterns. One semester, 3 credits. 207* Elections and Participation This course examines political participation in electoral politics in the United States. It focuses on issues of representation and democracy, campaigns, and election processes. Students will learn about the role of interests in elections, campaigning tactics, and different ways that citizens participate in their governance. One semester, 3 credits. 208 California Politics and Government The political process in California— nominations and elections; structure and operation of state and local institutions; leading policy problems. One semester, 3 credits. 302 The President and Congress Development of the presidency and Congress, their functions, relationships, and problems; comparative consideration of other political, executive and legislative bodies. One semester, 3 credits. 303* Race and Ethnicity in American Politics This course looks at the struggle for civil rights and civil liberties among racial minorities since the nation’s founding. Special attention will be paid to different theories of race and racism in this course. Prerequisite: PLSC 110 or permission. One semester, 3 credits. 304 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and the Media The nature, purpose, and functions of American political parties, interest groups, and media are examined in this course. Particular attention is paid to the role of these organizations in the governmental process, nominations, elections, and voting behavior, and their relative influence in American politics. Prerequisite: PLSC 110 or permission. One semester, 3 credits. 305* Washington Winterim Field work, on-the-scene learning experience in Washington, D.C. Lectures, discussions, briefings, site visits, and individual research projects on aspects of national politics, government, and public policy. Permission. January, 4 credits. 312* Urban Politics Political behavior and processes in urban areas; stress on contemporary issues, perspectives, models and interrelationships of politics, policy, and planning. One semester, 3 credits. 315* Politics Beyond the Classroom Direct observation and analysis of practical politics through field trips, personal investigation, and small group discussion; TV, the press, public relations, parties, and lobbying as they relate to campaigns, elections, the political process, and public policy. Involves interviews with political leaders and visits to government institutions. Course culminates with field trip to the state capitol in Sacramento. Additional charge involved, personal transportation may be necessary. Permission. January, 4 credits. 400 Seminar in American Politics Seminar dealing with such subjects as American political parties, nominations, campaign, elections, voting behavior, interest groups, and the political novel. Permission. One semester, 3 credits. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 28 Model UN Conference Participation in annual conference of Model United Nations of the Far West. Permission. May be repeated for credit. One semester, 1 or 2 credits. 220 International Relations Development of international politics since World War I; basic concepts and theories regarding political interaction among nationstates, emphasizing national interest and security, the exercise of power and its limits, and international conflict and cooperation. One semester, 3 credits. 225* Problems and Policies in Contemporary Politics Focuses on a major problem in contemporary politics; opportunity for in depth analysis of the problem’s background, current status, and prospects for resolution. January, 4 credits. 228 International Organization An examination of the nature of international organization and globalist theory; special emphasis on the United Nations: its role in peace and security, economic and social affairs, sustainable development, humanitarian affairs, and human rights; the role of member states and non-governmental organizations; participation in the Model United Nations of the Far West conference. One semester, 3 credits. 330 Human Rights The nature of human rights and their role in the global community; how human rights are established, defined, monitored, and enforced with special emphasis on the role of the United Nations in this process; major issues and problems in the area of human rights. One semester, 3 credits. 332 American Foreign Policy Historical evolution of American foreign policy from independence to the present; the decisionmaking process; problems and prospects in contemporary foreign policy. One semester, 3 credits. 333 International Political Economy Surveys an influential area of international relations that analyzes the interplay of politics and economics in the international milieu. While the course focuses on contemporary debates over the importance of economic variables in political systems, these issues are analyzed within the context of formative debates such as realism vs. idealism; neo-mercantilism vs. laissez faire; and dependency vs. neoinstitutionalism in a variety of regional settings. Prerequisite: PLSC 220 or permission. One semester, 3 credits. 335 International Relations of Latin America Examines relations between and among Latin American countries, looking at competition, conflicts and efforts at cooperation. Includes attention to cross-border challenges such as migration, narcotics trafficking and political insurgency, as well as dealing with Latin American efforts to enhance regional trade and democratization. Prerequisite: PLSC 220 or PLSC 140 or permission. One semester, 3 credits. 339* Military Strategy and Arms Control An examination of the development and application of military strategy, focusing on concepts such as deterrence, preemption, weapons of mass destruction and counter-terrorism, with emphasis on the current and future roles of arms control in national security policy. One semester, 3 credits. 420 Seminar in International Relations Survey of international relations theories and methodological problems in research; completion of independent research project. Permission. One semester, 3 credits. COMPARATIVE POLITICS 245 From Russia With Feeling Russia-the interaction of history, culture, literature, and politics; life under the Tsars, the Bolshevik revolution, the Stalinist purges, Russia at war; and modern Russian politics through lectures, serious games, films, and literature. January, 4 credits. 252 Latin American Politics Comparison of political systems of Latin American nations; emphasizes dynamics of political change and problems of democracy. Prerequisite PLSC 140 or permission. One semester, 3 credits. 253 Politics of Diversity in Latin America:Race, Religion and Gender Using film, explores the origins, organization and political implications of ethnic, religious and gender diversity in Latin America, from colonialism through the present. January, 4 credits. 340 Political Violence Explores the motivations and causes of political violence, including guerrilla warfare, terrorism, military coups d’etat and genocide, looking at various regions of the world. Prerequisite: PLSC 140 or PLSC 220 or Permission. One semester, 3 credits. 341* Western European Political Systems Comparison of political processes in the major nations of Western Europe; the interaction of historical, cultural, economic, and political patterns. One semester, 3 credits. 346* Russian and East European Politics Eastern Europe in transition: an analysis of the political, cultural, economic, and historical factors that led to changes in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and consideration of future alternatives for the region. One semester, 3 credits. 348* East Asian Political Systems Comparative analysis of political development and change in China and Japan; problems of ideology, national integration, economic development and post-industrial growth, political participation, and political stability. One semester, 3 credits. 349* Southeast Asian Politics Analysis of the politics of Southeast Asia with a focus on the post-World War II period; emphasis on Vietnam and Cambodia, and the impact of the Vietnam War on the region and on those countries’ relations with other nations. One semester, 3 credits. 356* Middle Eastern Political Systems Comparative approach to the heritage and institutions of Islam and Israel; stresses problems of political development and Arab-Israeli relations. One semester, 3 credits. 358* African Political Systems Comparative study of political change in Africa south of the Sahara; traditional political systems, colonialism, nationalism, and problems of nation-building and development. One semester, 3 credits. 359* North American States and Identities: Historical Transformations Interprets historical transformations which began in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe and continue in North American society, including the rise of the modern state, the multifarious formations of identities and the continuously changing mechanics of maintaining identities as new ideas challenge the family, everyday life practices, networks of loyalty, and motivational patterns. One semester, 3 credits. 440* Seminar in Comparative Politics Substantive and methodological problems in comparative politics research; completion of independent research project. Permission. One semester, 3 credits. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND LAW 260* Public Administration and Policy Policy-making, management, personnel, and budgeting in the context of political administrative responsibility, tensions between the classic democratic model and bureaucratic planning; methods used to study public policy; policy formulation, implementation and impacts; contemporary issues and compliance problems. One semester, 3 credits. 362* Federalism and Urban Life Team research considers the impact of federal, state, and local programs on local political and social life; may include housing, poverty, the environment, and mass transportation issues. Permission. May be repeated for credit. One semester, 3 credits. 364 Complex Organizations An analysis of the phenomena and theories of large, complex, formal organizations. Studies the organization as an economic, social, decision-making, bureaucratic, and political system. One semester, 3 credits. 365 Warfare: In Pursuit of Military Security Examines war as a human activity, raising issues of civil-military relations, organizing for war, notions of a military-industrial complex, and philosophical, psychological and political aspects of war. Includes guest speakers, films, and field trips. Designed to capture the reality of combat and its costs; to familiarize students with key political, philosophical, and psychological issues of war and peace. Helps students to understand combat. January, 4 credits. 370 Introduction to Judicial Process and Behavior Judicial decision-making processes; recruitment, socialization, and behavior of judges and lawyers; other participants in the judicial process; relationships with other policy-making institutions. One semester, 3 credits. 372 American Constitutional Law The Supreme Court’s role in the governing process; constitutional questions on separation of powers, federalism, and government property relationships; civil rights and liberties. Satisfies the state teaching credential requirement for American Constitution. One semester, 3 credits. 376* Law and the Courts The U.S. judicial process in selected areas of public law and criminal justice; emphasis on reforming and perfecting the system. January, 4 credits. 460* Seminar in Public Policy Seminar will focus on a vital topic of public policy, emphasizing administrative aspects o of policy making and implementation. Permission. One semester, 3 credits. 470 Seminar in Public Law Seminar dealing with such subjects as jurisprudence, constitutional law, civil rights, and judicial process. Permission. One semester, 2 or 3 credits. POLITICAL THEORY 280 Political Methodology An examination of the major and issues of empirical political science and the use of simulation in the development of theories or models. One semester, 3 credits. Prerequisite PLSC 110 or 140 or 220 or Permission. 380 Normative Political Theory Western political philosophy from Plato to Marx: the development of normative theory and its relevance to modern political analysis and contemporary politics; emphasis on Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Marx. One semester, 3 credits. 480* Seminar in Political Theory Seminar dealing with such subjects as normative political thought, empirical political theory, and political literature. Permission. One semester, 2 or 3 credits. ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS 390 Current Topics in Political Science Variable credits. Permission. May be repeated for credit. 395 Directed Studies Credit and time arranged. Permission. May be repeated for credit. 496 Internship** Supervised field experience in local, state or national government, law, and practical politics. International organizations, interest groups, and non-governmental organizations with political missions may be considered. Permission. One semester, variable credits. May be repeated for credit.