PLSC 101: Introduction to Political Science

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (2207.00)

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.

PLSC 102: American Institutions and History

Units: 4
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 4 hours. (2207.00)

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.

PLSC 103: Comparative Government

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (2207.00)

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.

PLSC 150: Introduction to International Relations

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (2207.00)

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.

PLSC 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

PLSC 298: Directed Study in Political Science

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor and department chair approval and successful completion of 12 units of college work with at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours
Laboratory 6 hours
Laboratory 9 hours. (2207.00)

This course allows students to pursue a special area of interest in order to achieve specific goals beyond the scope of existing courses within the discipline. Students work independently and interact directly with an instructor on an individual basis and as prescribed by the Directed Study Agreement.