Political science is the study of the processes, principles, and structure of government and political institutions. Students take courses to prepare for a political science major or to fulfill general education requirements.
Graduates with a bachelor's degree in political science pursue careers in education; federal, state, and local government (in areas such as intelligence, foreign affairs, environmental protection); national, state, and local legislation; law; and marketing research.
Academic and Career Pathway
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Contact Information
Full-Time Faculty
Associate Degrees
Associate in Arts Degree
Law, Public Policy, and Society for Transfer
Students completing this associate degree will have completed lower-division major preparation requirements for an American Studies degree, an emphasis or option within an American Studies degree, or a degree considered similar, such as Public Administration, at a participating California State University (CSU) campus.
Following transfer to a participating CSU campus, students will be required to complete no more than 60 units to obtain a bachelor's degree; however, some CSU campuses accepting this degree may require additional lower-division major preparation. This degree may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus not accepting this degree or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a MiraCosta counselor for further information regarding the most efficient pathway to transfer as an American Studies or Public Administration major and to determine which CSU campuses are participating in this program.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
- Complete all courses in the major with a “C” or "P" or better.
- Complete the Cal-GETC general education pattern.
- Obtain a minimum CSU-transferable grade point average of 2.0.
- Complete a minimum of 12 semester units in residence at MiraCosta College.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to do the following:
- Transfer to a California State University baccalaureate program in American studies, public administration, or a related major.
Course Requirements
| |
| 3 |
| Introduction to the Administration of Justice * | |
| Concepts of Criminal Law * | |
| Legal Environment of Business | |
| 3 |
| Ethical Problems * | |
| 3 |
| Introduction to Public Speaking * | |
| Group Communication | |
| 4 |
| Academic Reading and Writing * | |
| 3-4 |
| Argumentation | |
| Critical Thinking and Writing * | |
| Critical Thinking and Writing (Honors) * | |
| Introduction to Logic | |
| 3-5 |
| Biostatistics * | |
| Business Statistics * | |
| Statistics for Behavioral Science * | |
| Statistics for Behavioral Science (Honors) * | |
| Introduction to Statistics in Sociology * | |
| Introduction to Statistics * | |
| Introduction to Statistics (Embedded Support) * | |
| Introduction to Statistics (Honors) | |
| 3 |
| United States History to 1877 * | |
| United States History to 1877 (Honors) * | |
| United States History Since 1877 * | |
| United States History Since 1877 (Honors) * | |
| 4 |
| American Government and Politics * | |
| 6 |
| |
| |
| Crime and Delinquency | |
| |
| Legal Environment of Business | |
| |
| Principles of Economics: MACRO * | |
| Principles of Economics: MICRO * | |
| |
| Introduction to Political Science * | |
| Introduction to Political Science (Honors) |
| Comparative Government * | |
| Introduction to International Relations * | |
| |
| Contemporary Social Problems * | |
| |
| Cultural Anthropology * | |
| Intercultural Communication * | |
| People, Place, and Time: Introduction to Human Geography * | |
| Introduction to Gender Studies * | |
| Race and Ethnic Relations * | |
| Race and Ethnic Relations |
| |
| College and Career Success | |
Total Units | 32-35 |
Associate in Arts Degree
Political Science for Transfer
Students completing this associate degree will have completed lower-division major preparation requirements for a political science degree or a degree considered similar to political science at a participating California State University (CSU) campus.
Following transfer to a participating CSU campus, students will be required to complete no more than 60 units to obtain a bachelor’s degree; however, some CSU campuses may require additional lower-division major preparation. This degree may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus not accepting this degree or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a MiraCosta counselor for further information regarding the most efficient pathway to transfer as a political science major and to determine which CSU campuses are participating in this program.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
- Complete all courses in the major with a “C” or "P" or better.
- Complete the Cal-GETC general education pattern.
- Obtain a minimum CSU-transferable grade point average of 2.0.
- Complete a minimum of 12 semester units in residence at MiraCosta College.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to do the following:
- Explain and assess the American legislative system of checks and balances.
Course Requirements
| |
| |
POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics * | 4 |
| 9 |
| Introduction to Political Science * | |
| Introduction to Political Science (Honors) |
| Comparative Government * | |
| Introduction to International Relations * | |
| 6-8 |
| |
| Biostatistics * | |
| Business Statistics * | |
| Statistics for Behavioral Science * | |
| Statistics for Behavioral Science (Honors) * | |
| Introduction to Statistics in Sociology * | |
| Introduction to Statistics * | |
| Introduction to Statistics (Embedded Support) * | |
| Introduction to Statistics (Honors) * | |
| |
| Introduction to the Administration of Justice * | |
| Concepts of Criminal Law * | |
| Crime and Delinquency | |
| Cultural Anthropology * | |
| Legal Environment of Business | |
| Principles of Economics: MACRO * | |
| Principles of Economics: MICRO * | |
| Ethical Problems * | |
Total Units | 19-21 |
How to Read Course Descriptions
For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available on the Courses and Programs webpage.
Courses
POLS C1000: American Government and Politics
Units: 4
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in PLSC 102.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 4 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer
This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. Students study basic concepts in the political and historical traditions of America and California by analyzing national, state, and local political institutions from colonial times to the present. The course examines the evolution of concepts and ideas that are fundamental to our political culture. It emphasizes the concepts citizens should understand in order to vote intelligently and otherwise effectively participate in the political process. This course is designed specifically to satisfy the CSU History, Constitution and American Ideals requirement. (Formerly PLSC 102.) C-ID POLS-110.
POLS 101: Introduction to Political Science
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in PLSC 101H, PLSC 101, or POLS 101H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall
This course introduces students to the field of political science and to politics itself. It covers government, the nation-state, and political ideologies that affect modern politics and society. In particular, this course examines the following ideologies from historical, social, and economic perspectives: Conservatism, Liberalism, Anarchism, Democracy, Capitalism, Marxism/Communism, and Fascism. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for POLS 101 or POLS 101H. C-ID POLS-150. (Formerly PLSC 101)
POLS 101H: Introduction to Political Science (Honors)
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in PLSC 101, PLSC 101H, or POLS 101.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Spring
This honors course offers students an advanced introduction to the field of political science and to politics itself. It covers government, the nation-state, and political ideologies that affect modern politics and society. In particular, this course examines the following ideologies from historical, social, and economic perspectives: Conservatism, Liberalism, Anarchism, Democracy, Capitalism, Marxism/Communism, and Fascism. As an honors course, it offers expanded analysis of lecture materials, increased dependence upon student participation on a daily basis, and the opportunity for students to conduct research in relevant areas of interest, and thus targets highly motivated students who are looking for a more challenging academic experience. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for POLS 101 or POLS 101H. C-ID POLS-150. (Formerly PLSC 101H)
POLS 103: Comparative Government
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in PLSC 103.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
This course provides a comparative survey of selected foreign governments, including their political institutions, theories of government, and economic and social development. Countries surveyed include western and non-western democracies and communist nations or dictatorships. C-ID POLS-130. (Formerly PLSC 103.)
POLS 150: Introduction to International Relations
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in PLSC 150.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
This course introduces students to the major explanations for international conflict, cooperation, and other important dynamics of global affairs. It also examines the relationships between selected countries and the resulting political, economic, and social consequences. The course emphasizes the analytical skills and techniques used by practitioners in this field. C-ID POLS-140. (Formerly PLSC 150.)