Bachelor of Arts

The 40-unit political science major allows students to choose from a wide range of courses and subjects within a general framework. 

A 22-unit common core of courses studies the relationship between values, ideology, and politics (POLS 201 or substitute if appropriate); the American Political System (POLS 200); the logic of research in political science (POLS 302); comparative approaches and politics (POLS 303); analysis of international politics (POLS 304); and a senior research seminar POLS 498).

Beyond this common core, as part of the additional 18 to 20 units required for the major (to get to 40 total units in POLS), each student must complete at least one upper-division course in each of the four major fields of political science: political theory, international relations, comparative government, and American government and politics.

Courses fulfilling major requirements (except internships) must be taken for a letter grade.

The department encourages international study for political science students and will arrange for appropriate credits for courses of study at international universities.  And since politics and economics are so closely tied together, the department recommends each student complete a basic course in economics. The department also strongly recommends that students take SSCI 299 Sophomore Year Experience (SYE) for elective or GE Area E credit.