Political Science, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
Banner Code: 2_AAT_POLS
Financial Aid Eligible
Political science, the systematic and rigorous study of government, public policy and of the political behavior of individuals, groups, and institutions, is becoming increasingly crucial in a complex and controversial world. Most social, economic, and moral issues have political implications; and governmental policy affects most aspects of daily life. The goal of the Associate of Arts Degree in Political Science transfer is to provide students with an understanding of the American political system and other political systems within the context of global forces, international conflicts, ideological systems, and diversity. Courses in this major are designed to introduce students to the field of political science and the primary subfields of political science and to equip students with specialized research and analytical skills necessary to examine political issues. This analytical framework will familiarize students with more generalized problem-solving skills sufficient to allow them to make valuable contributions to any vocation or enterprise they pursue. Students will be prepared for a baccalaureate degree in Political Science.
Program Level Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of important findings, theories, and changing issues relevant to political science.
- Demonstrate critical thinking about political issues by evaluating the major assertions, background assumption, and the evidence used to support assertions, as well as their explanatory value.
- Utilize appropriate investigative methods and appropriate technologies to access relevant research.
- Manage information and prepare and present their work effectively.
Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements
Associate Degrees for Transfer require students to meet the following requirements:
- Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
- Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
- Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
- Completion of IGETC and/or CSU GE-Breadth.
Students should consult a GWC counselor in order to select the best pathway to meet their educational goals. For students who intend to transfer, the choice of general education will be specific to both their major and transfer institution.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | 9 | |
| PSCI G180 | American Government | 3 |
| List A | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9-10 | |
| PSCI G110 | International Relations | 3 |
| PSCI G185 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| PSCI G150 | Political Theory | 3 |
| or PHIL G150 | Political Theory | |
| PSCI G100 | Introduction To Political Science | 3 |
| MATH G160 | Introduction To Statistics | 4 |
| or PSYC G140 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | |
| List B | ||
| Select two of the following: | 3 | |
Any course from above NOT already taken | ||
| ECON G170 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON G175 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| GLST G101 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| GLST G102 | Global Issues | 3 |
| PSCI G101 | Survey Of Current Issues | 3 |
| PSCI G130 | Law In American Society | 3 |
| HIST G161 | World History 1 | 3 |
| HIST G162 | World History 2 | 3 |
| HIST G180 | Western Civilization 1 | 3 |
| HIST G185 | Western Civilization 2 | 3 |
| SOC G111 | Social Justice and U.S. Ethnic Communities | 3 |
| or ETHS G111 | Social Justice and U.S. Ethnic Communities | |
| Major Total | 18-19 | |
| GE Pattern (CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC) | 37-39 | |
| Total units that may be double-counted | 9-15 | |
| Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 units) | 11-20 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
Recommended Program Sequence
These sequences are general course maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, completion of short-term certificates, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. However, this may not be an appropriate path for all students. The two-year sequence is based on English and Math placement and meeting other course prerequisites. Students are advised to meet with a GWC Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
Year 1:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| PSCI G180 | American Government (Area D: Social & Behavioral Science course) | 3 |
| or PSCI G181 | American Government: The Politics of Race and Ethnicity | |
| PSCI G100 | Introduction To Political Science (recommended as LIST A requirement) | 3 |
| ENGL G100 | Freshman Composition ^ | 4 |
| Area A1: Oral Communication course | 3 | |
| ECON G110 | Economic Issues and Policy | 3 |
| or ECON G130 | Environmental Economics and Policy | |
| or Area E: Lifelong Learning & Self-Development course | ||
| Units | 16 | |
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 | ||
| MATH G160 | Introduction To Statistics | 4 |
| or PSYC G140 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | |
| PHIL G115 | Logic and Critical Thinking ((or Area A3: Critical Thinking course)) | 3-4 |
| HIST G170 | History Of The United States To 1876 | 3 |
| or HIST G175 | History of the United States Since 1876 | |
| CSU Transferable elective coursework for a total of 3 units | 3 | |
| Select one of the following NOT already taken: | 3 | |
| PSCI G100 | Introduction To Political Science | 3 |
| PSCI G110 | International Relations | 3 |
| PSCI G185 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Units | 16-17 | |
Year 2:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 3 | ||
| Area B1: Physical Science course (with or without lab) * | 3-4 | |
| Area C1: Arts course | 3 | |
| CSU Transferable elective coursework | 3 | |
| Select one of the following NOT already taken: | 3 | |
| PSCI G100 | Introduction To Political Science | 3 |
| PSCI G110 | International Relations | 3 |
| PSCI G150 | Political Theory | 3 |
| or PHIL G150 | Political Theory | |
| PSCI G185 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Select one of the following NOT already taken: | 3 | |
| GLST G101 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| GLST G102 | Global Issues | 3 |
| PSCI G101 | Survey Of Current Issues | 3 |
| PSCI G130 | Law In American Society | 3 |
| HIST G180 | Western Civilization 1 | 3 |
| HIST G185 | Western Civilization 2 | 3 |
| HIST G161 | World History 1 | 3 |
| HIST G162 | World History 2 | 3 |
| ECON G170 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON G175 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| SOC G111 | Social Justice and U.S. Ethnic Communities | 3 |
| PSCI G150 | Political Theory | 3 |
| or PHIL G150 | Political Theory | |
| PSCI G185 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| PSCI G110 | International Relations | 3 |
| PSCI G100 | Introduction To Political Science | 3 |
| PSCI G185 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Units | 15-16 | |
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 4 | ||
| Area B2: Life Science course (with or without lab) * | 3-4 | |
| Area C: Arts & Humanities course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies course | 3 | |
| Select one of the following NOT already taken: | 3 | |
| GLST G101 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| GLST G102 | Global Issues | 3 |
| PSCI G100 | Introduction To Political Science | 3 |
| PSCI G110 | International Relations | 3 |
| PSCI G150 | Political Theory | 3 |
| or PHIL G150 | Political Theory | |
| PSCI G185 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| PSCI G101 | Survey Of Current Issues | 3 |
| PSCI G130 | Law In American Society | 3 |
| HIST G161 | World History 1 | 3 |
| HIST G162 | World History 2 | 3 |
| HIST G180 | Western Civilization 1 | 3 |
| HIST G185 | Western Civilization 2 | 3 |
| ECON G170 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON G175 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| SOC G111 | Social Justice and U.S. Ethnic Communities | 3 |
| CSU Transferable elective coursework to reach a minimum of 60 units | ||
| Units | 12-13 | |
| Total minimum units required | 60 | |
- ^
Program sequence may not be recommended for students who self-place into ENGL G100S. Students should see a Counselor for appropriate advisement.
- *
Either B1 or B2 must include a lab