Courses

POLS 151 - Credit by Exam: California Government (1)
The state code requirement in California state and local government may be satisfied by passing an examination in the political science department.
POLS 199 - Introductory Topics in Political Science (1-4)
A lower division lecture/discussion series on a specific theme or topic presented by members of the department, other SSU faculty, and guest speakers. May be audited (space permitting) or taken for credit. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Mode: Face to Face.
POLS 200 - American Political System (3)

An examination of American politics and governmental institutions. Introduces students to the political system and how to participate in it, should the need arise. Satisfies the code requirements in American Constitution and California state and local government. Satisfies GE Area D4 (U.S. Constitution and State and Local Government). Taught in face-to-face or hybrid modes.

POLS 201 - Ideas and Institutions (4)
An analysis of the basic political values and their impact on society. Students will be introduced to the relationship between values, ideology, and the political process. Political science majors are expected to take this course, which stresses written expression, during their first year in the department. Satisfies GE Area D5 (Contemporary International Perspectives).
POLS 202 - Issues in Modern American Politics (4)
Leaders and issues in American political life considered in relation to major policies and movements, e.g., progressivism, isolationism, the New Deal, and containment. Open to majors and minors in political science. Meets code requirements in American Constitution and California state and local government. Satisfies GE Area D4 (U.S. Constitution and State and Local Government).
POLS 302 - Social Science Research Methods (4)
Social science research methods, emphasizing various facets of research design such as hypothesis formulation, literature review and/or computer-based data analysis. May include building data files and engaging in data analysis using quantitative or qualitative methods in a directed research project. Course includes up to a two-hour laboratory.
POLS 303 - Comparative Political Analysis (4)
Reviews the principal concepts and theories of comparative politics, and assesses the institutions that comprise varied systems of government. Concrete examples taken from modern systems will be applied throughout the course. Special attention is focused on the political systems of Britain, France, Japan, Russia, and China. Students are assigned research projects on political systems of developing nations.
POLS 304 - Theory and Analysis of International Relations (4)
An introductory analysis of the dynamics of the international political system, stressing the roles of supranational organizations, internal and external factors in foreign policy formulation by nation-states. Review of traditional and contemporary theories of international interaction.
POLS 307 - Perspectives on the Holocaust and Genocide (4)

This course is a weekly lecture series on the Holocaust, selected genocides and human rights. Guest lecturers and SSU faculty provide a variety of political and interdisciplinary perspectives on the topics. The course explores the intellectual, emotional, and ethical aspects of the Holocaust and genocides and seeks to deepen students' understanding of organized society, political leadership, democratic participation and human nature. Students also attend a weekly discussion group to explore and synthesize information presented in the weekly lectures.

POLS 310 - Classical Political Thought (2-4)
A comprehensive look at the foundations of Western political thought, with particular attention to the theories of Plato, Aristotle, and Thomas Aquinas.

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