Courses - POSC Upper Division
General Education Category A must be completed prior to taking any upper division course.
300. Scope and Methods of Political Science (3)
Prerequisite: POSC 100.
Examines what political scientists do. Focus on quantitative and qualitative techniques employed by political scientists to understand political phenomena. Examples draw on all subfields from political science: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public law and public policy.
Letter grade only (A-F).
301. Classical Political Theory (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100.
Ancient Greek and Roman roots of political theory. Socrates and the Sophists; Plato; Aristotle; Cicero; Polybius; and the Stoics. Examines relationship between the individual citizen and the Polis, justice and equality, democracy and dictatorship; the political culture of Mediterranean world.
303. Modern Political Theory (3)
Emergence of modern political thought in Western Europe from the 17th through the 19th century. Examines views of state and society in John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau, John Stuart Mill, Edmund Burke, George Hegel, and Karl Marx.
304. Recent Political Theory (3)
Critical examination of major themes in political thought in industrial and post-industrial society, from the late 19th century until today.
306. Contemporary Political Ideologies (3)
Critical examination of the nature and role of ideologies in contemporary politics. Conservatism, liberalism, socialism, communism and fascism in theory and practice.
308. American Political Theory (3)
Critical examination of theorists, concepts and forces which have shaped American political consciousness from Puritans to present.
311. Constitutional Law: Power (3)
Prerequisite: POSC 100 or POSC 391 or equivalent.
Judicial interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Judicial review; the power of the Presidency and the Congress; state governmental authority; nature of the American federalism.
312. Constitutional Law: Rights (3)
Prerequisite: POSC 100 or 391 or equivalent.
Analysis of the rights and guarantees contained in the Bill of Rights and other constitutional and statutory provisions. Examination of leading cases.
321. The Media and American Politics (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100 or consent of instructor.
Role of print and electronic media in American politics and their relationship to politicians and the public. Media's impact on government, policy making, election campaigning. Prospects for democratic deliberation. Portrayal of political issues and political themes in popular culture.
322. Parties, Campaigns, and Elections (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement.
The nature and impact of the American two-party system; why people vote as they do; how candidates seek electoral support. Comparison of American party politics to party politics in other democratic countries.
323. Racial and Ethnic Politics - U.S. (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100.
Examination of the political activities of racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States, including American Indians, African Americans, Latino Americans and Asian/Pacific Americans. Political debates over competing approaches, strategies and public policies promoting equality in the U.S.
326. California Government in Comparative
Perspective (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement.
The government and politics of American States including intergovernmental relations. Special focus on political institutions, current issues, and public policies in California.
327. Urban Politics (3)
Social conflicts, political processes and governmental Institutions in American urban areas. Emphasis on urban political culture, power structures, interest groups, social movements, urban governance and policy-making. Evaluation of urban political problems and proposed solutions.
328. Public Policy (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100.
Analysis of the American policy process with special attention to the social, economic, cultural, and political factors that influence policy choices.
329. Cases in Public Policy Making (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement and POSC 100.
Intensive examination of the policy process through the in-depth analysis of selected public policies.
353. Government and Politics of Western Europe (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100.
Examination of selected European democracies, with emphasis on governmental structure, functions and political processes and their relationship to current problems.
358. Contemporary Latin American Politics (3)
Study of government and politics with emphasis on similarities and differences among Latin American states. Focus on principal groups and major issues in the political process. Conflicting explanations of the obstacles to development and other problems will be examined.
362. Society and National Politics of China (3)
Prerequisites: Upper division status; completion of GE Foundation; Students must have scored 11 or higher on the GWAR Placement Examination or completed the necessary portfolio course that is a prerequisite for a GWAR Writing Intensive Capstone.
Writing-intensive study of the People’s Republic of China, including its origin, ideology and organization. Contemporary social, economic and political developments.
367. Governments and Politics of the Middle East (3)
Emergence and development of the contemporary political systems of the Middle East; the Arab-Israeli dispute; the role and importance of the region in international politics.
371. Introduction to International Politics (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100.
Relations among nation-states. Why countries sometimes cooperate and sometimes go to war. Roles of intergovernmental organizations like the UN, the WTO, and NATO, and non-governmental actors like Amnesty International and Al-Qaeda; international trade and finance; war, peace, terrorism and diplomacy.
376. International Law (3)
Nature and historical development of international law; determination of rules of international law; International community under law; recognition of states and governments; jurisdiction; settlement of international disputes; war aggression and neutrality.
378. Politics and Practice of the UN (3)
Examination of historical development of internationall organization from the Concert of Europe to the United Nations. Analysis of contemporary international organization, its functions, problems and prospects in the context of the world situation.
May be repeated to a maximum of 9 units in different semesters. No more than 3 units may be applied toward the major or minor in political science.
388. Cyberspace Citizenship (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement; one Explorations course, and upper-division standing.
Role of internet in politics, society, and economy. Development of cyberspace, virtual communities, online commerce, Web free speech fora. Evolving governmental institutions for managing property rights, Internet expansion and resolving cyberspace conflicts. Multiple dimensions of participatory citizenship in cyberspace.
391. American Government (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement.
Survey of American government and politics, including attention to California government. Constitutional foundations and current controversies. Satisfies the general education requirement and the California teaching credential requirement.
Not open for credit to students with credit in POSC 100.
395. Politics Through Culture (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement, one Explorations course, and upper division standing.
Study of politics through cultural analysis. Alternative theoretical perspectives on contemporary cultural artifacts such as art, film, music, and the media.
399. Introduction to California Government (1)
Prerequisite: POSC 100.
Introductory survey of California political institutions, politics and policy. Satisfies the general education California state and local government requirement for students who have taken American government without a California component or who have received Advanced Placement credit for American Government.
Not open for credit to students with credit in POSC 199 or POSC 326.
401. Women in Political Theory (3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division status; completion of GE foundation; students must have scored 11 or higher on the GWAR Placement Examination or successfully completed the necessary portfolio course that is a prerequisite for a GWAR Writing Intensive Capstone.
Study of the evolution of feminist arguments in Western political thought and the process by which gender has come to be regarded as a critical category equal in importance to race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religion.
Same course as WGSS 402. Not open for credit to students with credit in WGSS 402.
409. Senior Seminar in Political Theory (3)
Prerequisites: Nine units in Political Theory courses or consent of instructor.
Intensive study of selected conceptual and theoretical problems in political theory.
Letter grade only (A-F).
412. Law and Social Change (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100.
Legal strategies pursued by social movements to remedy discrimination in the U.S. Legislative, administrative, and judicial responses. Gender equity, sexual harassment, voting rights, racial discrimination, fair housing, labor standards, sexual orientation, environmental justice, and American Indian rights.
414. Jurisprudence (3)
Fundamental legal philosophies, sources and classifications of law. Relationship of law to other disciplines and societal institutions.
417. Legal Practices: Moot Court (3)
Prerequisites: POSC 311 or POSC 312, and either POSC 412 or POSC 414; and upper division standing.
Study and acquisition of the skills of lawyering, including legal research, reasoning, writing, and trial advocacy. Substantive study of civil liberties.
May be repeated to a maximum of 9 units in different semesters. No more than three units of this course may be applied toward the major or minor in political science.
418. Legal/Judicial Apprenticeship (3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Courtroom, law office, public legal agency, and/or non-profit legal agency experience in conjunction with reading and research directed by a faculty member. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units in different semesters.
No more than three units of this internship course may apply toward the major in political science. A maximum of 6 units may be earned in POSC 418, POSC 447, POSC 448, and POSC 498 combined.
422. Public Opinion and Political Behavior (3)
What Americans think and feel about politics and why they act as they do. Topics include the formation and development of public opinion; how public opinion is measured; political socialization; political culture; and political participation.
423. The American Presidency (3)
The roles and powers of the American presidency with emphasis on major public policies of recent presidents.
424. The United States Congress (3)
Analysis of the origin, development, and behavior of U.S. legislative bodies. Leadership, organization and procedures, problems and principles of law-making. Legislative relations with the executive and other governmental agencies.
430. Fundamentals of Public Administration (3)
Principles and practices of federal, state and local administration.
431. Public Policy Analysis (3)
Examination of the meaning and use of concepts and methods employed in public policy decision analysis, including an overview of the decision process, sources and methods of handling policy-relevant data, and methods and techniques of program evaluation and policy analysis.
432. Public Values and Public Policy (3)
Critical examination of selected value choices involving how and by whom public policy is to be made, and choices involving what should be the content and goals of public policy.
439. Senior Seminar in Law, Politics, and Policy (3)
Prerequisite: Nine units in Law, Politics, and Policy courses or consent of instructor
Intensive study of selected concepts, issues, and approaches to the study of American government and politics, with special attention to the intersection of law, politics, and policy.
Letter grade only (A-F).
447. Public Service Internship I (3)
Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100; consent of instructor.
Internships in one of the various federal, state, or local governmental units in the immediate area.
A maximum of 6 units may be earned in POSC 418, POSC 447, POSC 448, and POSC 498 combined.
448. Public Service Internship II (3)
Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100; consent of instructor.
Internships in one of the various federal, state, or local governmental units in the immediate area.
A maximum of 6 units may be earned in POSC 418, POSC 447, POSC 448, and POSC 498 combined.
450. Comparative Political Movements (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement, one Explorations course, and upper division standing.
Comparative study of the causes, progression, and consequences of political movements.
455. Comparative Revolutionary Change (3)
Roots of revolution. Emphasis on the historical setting, ideology, socio-economic factors, political leadership, organization and nationalism. Analysis of revolutionary conditions, courses and tactics past and present.
461. The Politics of Development (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement, one or more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing.
Problems of political development in the emergent nations of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
463. Nationalism and National Identities (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100.
Consideration of the impact of nationalism on contemporary world politics with special attention to the role of national identities in the rise of political violence, national liberation movements, and the struggle for democracy. Close investigation of multiple historical and contemporary cases.
Same course as I/ST 463. Not open for credit to students with credit in I/ST 463.
479. Senior Seminar in Global Politics (3)
Prerequisite: Nine units in Global Politics courses or consent of instructor
Intensive study of selected conceptual and theoretical problems in global politics.
Letter grade only (A-F).
481. U.S. - Latin American Relations (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement, one Explorations course, and upper-division standing.
U.S. policies toward Latin America and the Caribbean. Recent debates about these policies as well as their historical and global contexts. Survey of major issues, including U.S.-Cuba policy, transnational crime/drug-trafficking, international finance, trade integration, and migration.
482. American Foreign Policy (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100.
Concepts, strategies, and the shaping of American relations with other states, with special emphasis on the post-World War II period. National security, economic, and political-diplomatic concerns as they present new challenges to the United States.
485. International Political Economy (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement; POSC 100.
Politics of global relations, including monetary and trade regimes, markets and multinational corporations. Emphasis on issues of confrontation and collaboration between countries regarding development strategies, trade, and technology transfer.
Prospective students are strongly recommended to take POSC 371.
486. National Security Policies (3)
Analysis of strategic posture with emphasis on military, political and economic inter-relationships as they influence national security and international politics.
490H. Honors Seminar (3)
Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors Program in Political Science.
The nature and development of political science and its relationship to other disciplines in the Social Sciences. Recent developments in conceptual analysis and theory are emphasized.
(Seminar.) Course meets with POSC 500, POSC 525, POSC 550, or a 600-level POSC course chosen in consultation with the chair.
491H. Honors Research (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Honors Program in Political Science.
Research for writing an Honors thesis under the direction of a faculty member. (Independent Study.)
492H. Honors Thesis (3)
Prerequisites: POSC 491H.
Research and writing of an Honors thesis under the direction of a department faculty advisor.
(Independent Study)
493. Selected Topics in Political Science (3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Analysis of selected contemporary issues and problems.
Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes.
494. Politics of the Future (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement, one or more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing.
Study of present-day global problems: overpopulation, depletion of resources, environmental decay and their future political implications. Examination of alternative policies, future politics and institutional change. The technological revolutions and the totalitarian temptation.
496. Washington Center Internship (3)
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing and consent of instructor.
Students undertake a 30-35 hr. per week career-related internship in a federal, corporate or independent sector agency located in Washington D.C. A final written report is required. Concurrent enrollment in an independent studies course required.
Credit/No Credit grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 units.
497. Selected Topics in Political Science (3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Analysis of selected contemporary issues and problems.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics. Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes.
498. Practicum in Politics (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and department chair.
Political or governmental experience supplemented by reading and research under the direction of a faculty member.
May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units in the same semester. No more than three units may apply toward the major in political science. A maximum of 6 units may be earned in POSC 418, POSC 447, POSC 448, and POSC 498 combined.
499. Readings and Conference in Political Science (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Directed reading to permit independent pursuit by advanced students on topics of special interest.
Hours to be arranged. Graduate students who have had this course as an undergraduate may repeat it.
