Political Sciences
8 courses · Antelope Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
POLS 103 Comparative Government
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of POLS C1000 OR POLS C1000H.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 130
This course compares and analyzes major political systems within developing industrialized states, communist and post-communist systems, and liberal democracies. Focus is on various political institutions such as presidential and parliamentary systems, federalism and unitary systems, and written constitutions and unwritten constitutions. The course examines various electoral, party, legislative, and judicial systems. Emphasis is placed on states that use different political and economic systems such as democracy, republicanism, communism, authoritarianism, capitalism, and socialism within the global arena. Finally, the course explores the status of comparative politics in the coming decade.
POLS 199 Work Experience Education
- Units
- 1-8
- Hours
- 432 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students must also attend a scheduled orientation or meet individually with the supervising instructor for an individual orientation. Work Experience Education is supervised employment designed to provide students with a realistic learning experience through work in the government environment. The ultimate goal is to teach students skills and attitudes that will equip them to function and adapt as employees in various situations and jobs in the government field. Work Experience Education is supervised employment extending classroom-based occupational learning in an on-the-job learning situation related to the government environment. Credit may be accrued at the rate of one to eight units per semester.
POLS 200 Introduction to Political Theory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of POLS C1000.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 120
This course analyzes selected political thinkers from Plato to the present. Some of the political themes covered in the course are liberty, justice, authority, rights, legitimacy and citizenship. The various themes are examined and discussed in the context of politics and government. Emphasis is placed on how various political philosophers argue their views, whom they are addressing and how they can be interpreted.
POLS 201 Contemporary International Relations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of POLS C1000 (POLS 101) or POLS 103 This course examines and evaluates contemporary international relations and addresses the current problems, issues, and trends within the global arena.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 140
Focus is on concepts of sovereignty, security, power, diplomacy, war, terrorism and globalization. There is a review of the development of the post-World War II political system and the challenges presented to the international system during and after the Cold War. Recent and current global issues, problems, and challenges are examined in addition to a focused overview of regional concerns. Regions that might be examined include the Middle East, Central America, and Africa; other regional conflicts will be examined within the context of the international political and economic system. Moreover, the course examines various international and regional organizations that act as an infrastructure in the attempt to bring international and regional stability and order in the contemporary world. Finally, the course explores the status of contemporary international relations in the coming decade.
POLS 202 Ethnic Politics in America
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of POLS C1000 or POLS C1000H.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course offers an examination and evaluation of the political power and powerlessness of America's diverse ethnic communities. This American experience of these groups will be examined along with the political realities and dynamics of each group's role within the American governmental and political system. The ethnic groups to be reviewed include American Native peoples, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. Moreover, new migrations from the Indian subcontinent as well as Muslim and Arab countries will be examined and evaluated within the context of the American political process. The changing demographic nature of America will provide the backdrop for explaining the new political forces and electoral consequences emerging as the result of the new American ethnic diversity. The power, powerlessness, and role of America's ethnic groups will be examined at the national, state, and local levels.
POLS 203 The Judicial Process
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of POLS 101 The course examines and evaluates both the United States and California judicial systems.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Topics include the nature of law and jurisprudence, the origins and development of Anglo-American law, the organization of both the federal and California judicial systems, judicial appointment and removal, attorneys, lawsuits, and public issues, the jury system, judicial decision-making, judicial reform, and topics in Constitutional law. Review of basic legal reasoning and introductory research methods. Includes introduction to case law pertaining to the Bill of Rights, Criminal Justice, Freedom of Expression, Equal Protection, the Commerce Clause, and other important areas of law. The course is primarily for transfer students but is valuable for those seeking terminal vocational career objectives such as those found in administration of justice fields. This course is valuable for transfer students, political science majors, those seeking to fulfill general education pattern requirements and associate in arts degree candidates.
POLS C1000 American Government and Politics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- Formerly
- POLS 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 110
This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. Analysis of the national government of the United States and of the government of California, the structure and interaction of legislative, executive, and judicial branches and the processes of government in the contemporary world. Treatment of American institutions as documented in the Constitution of the United States.
POLS C1000H American Government and Politics - Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours, 54 contact hours total
- C-ID
- POLS 110
This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. This is an honors course. This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program. Analysis of the national government of the United States and of the government of California, the structure and interaction of legislative, executive, and judicial branches and the processes of government in the contemporary world. Treatment of American institutions as documented in the Constitution of the United States. The honors course provides more content and requires greater intensity and depth of study than the non-honors class. Formerly POLS 101H (C-ID: POLS 110) (UC, CSU, AVC) Note: Students may take either POLS C1000 American Government and Politics or POLS C1000H American Government and Politics - Honors. Duplicate credit will not be awarded.