Political Science
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
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Chair: Lynne Miller Dean: Michael Fino |
Department: Social Science Office: Building OC3600, 760.757.2121 x6924 |
Full-Time Faculty
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John Phillips |
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.
To complete the degree, students must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
- Complete all courses required in the major with a “C” or "P" or better.
- Complete the CSU-GE (Plan B) or IGETC (Plan C)* general education pattern.
- Obtain a minimum CSU-transferable GPA of 2.0.
- Complete a minimum of 12 units in residence at MiraCosta College.
*Students completing IGETC may be awarded the degree, but they must complete a course from Area 1C: Oral Communication to meet CSU admission requirements.
Program Student Learning Outcome Statement
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to
- demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts of American law and connect them to contemporary societal issues.
- transfer to a California State University baccalaureate program in American Studies, Public Administration or a related major.
| Required Core (26-28 units): | ||
| Understanding the Law (select one course) | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Administration of Justice ** | ||
| Introduction to the Administration of Justice (Honors) ** | ||
| Concepts of Criminal Law ** | ||
| Legal Environment of Business | ||
| Legal Environment of Business (Honors) | ||
| Ethics (choose one course) | 3 | |
| Contemporary Moral Problems ** | ||
| Oral Communication (choose one course) | 3 | |
| Public Speaking ** | ||
| Group Communication ** | ||
| Written Communication (choose one course) | 4 | |
| Composition and Reading ** | ||
| Composition and Reading (Honors) ** | ||
| Critical Thinking (choose one course) | 3-4 | |
| Argumentation ** | ||
| Critical Thinking and Composition ** | ||
| Critical Thinking and Composition (Honors) ** | ||
| Introduction to Logic ** | ||
| Introduction to Logic (Honors) ** | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning (choose one course) | 3-4 | |
| Biostatistics ** | ||
| Business Statistics ** | ||
| Business Statistics (Honors) ** | ||
| Statistics ** | ||
| Statistics for Behavioral Science ** | ||
| Statistics for Behavioral Science (Honors) ** | ||
| Introduction to Statistics in Sociology ** | ||
| U.S. History (choose one course) | 3 | |
| United States History to 1877 ** | ||
| United States History to 1877 (Honors) ** | ||
| United States History Since 1877 ** | ||
| United States History Since 1877 (Honors) ** | ||
| Intro to American Government (choose one course) | 4 | |
| American Institutions and History ** | ||
| List A: Select two courses.* | 6-7 | |
| Financial Accounting | ||
or ACCT 201H | Financial Accounting (Honors) | |
| Fundamentals of Computer Information Systems | ||
| Principles of Economics: MACRO ** | ||
| Principles of Economics: MICRO ** | ||
| Total Units | 32-35 | |
| * | Students intending to transfer to San Diego State University in the Public Administration major should complete all courses in List A. |
| ** | Course satisfies a general education requirement on the CSU-GE or IGETC general education (GE) pattern. To ensure this degree is completed with no more than 60 units, students should select courses that will also satisfy a GE requirement. |
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 at http://www.miracosta.edu/governance/coursesandprograms/courseoutlines.html.
Courses
PLSC 101: Introduction to Political Science
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in PLSC 101H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
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 PLSC 101 or PLSC 101H. C-ID POLS-150.
PLSC 101H: Introduction to Political Science (Honors)
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in PLSC 101.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall or Spring
This honors course offers highly motivated 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 PLSC 101 or PLSC 101H. C-ID POLS-150.
PLSC 102: American Institutions and History
Units: 4
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 4 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer
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. C-ID POLS-110.
PLSC 103: Comparative Government
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
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.
PLSC 150: Introduction to International Relations
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
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.
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
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged
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.
