# Political Science - POLS (POLS) courses

Bakersfield College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 6 courses

Source: https://bakersfield.elumenapp.com/catalog/2026-2027-Catalog/political-science-pols

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026, Spring 2027.

### POLS B2 — Comparative Government

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **C-ID:** POLS 130
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/bakersfield-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/bakersfield-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md)
- Credit - Degree Applicable
- Non-repeatable credit
- Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC): Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences
- CSU General Education Breadth: D Social Sciences
- BC General Education Pattern (starting Summer 2025): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Science; Area 6: Ethnic Studies
- California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

A comparative analysis of government structures and the underlying economic, social, and cultural systems of the principal nations of the industrial world: United States, United Kingdom, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Russia, and Japan. Additional emphasis on certain nations in sensitive geographic area or countries whose size and developing economics make them important, such as the People's Republic of China, Brazil, Mexico, Iran, India and Nigeria.

### POLS B3 — International Politics

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **C-ID:** POLS 140
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/bakersfield-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/bakersfield-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md)
- Credit - Degree Applicable
- Non-repeatable credit
- Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC): Area 4 Soc. and Beh. Sci
- CSU General Education Breadth: D Social Sciences
- BC General Education Pattern (starting Summer 2025): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Science; Area 6: Ethnic Studies
- California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Surveys the dynamics and ideologies of present- day international politics and rivalries. Development of the national state system and the evolution of the techniques and arts of diplomacy, and the causes of war.

### POLS B4 — Introduction to Political Theory

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **C-ID:** POLS 120
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/bakersfield-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/bakersfield-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md)
- Credit - Degree Applicable
- Non-repeatable credit
- CSU General Education Breadth: D Social Sciences
- Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC): Area 4 Soc. and Beh. Sci
- BC General Education Pattern (starting Summer 2025): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Science
- California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Examination of various theoretical approaches to politics and of basic political problems and proposed solutions. Analysis of selected political theories and of the relevance of theory to contemporary problems. Application of theory to a critical understanding of concrete political and social problems involving power, freedom, equality, justice and action.

### POLS B12 — Contemporary Issues in California State and Local Government

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/bakersfield-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md)
- Credit - Degree Applicable
- Non-repeatable credit
- Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC): Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences
- CSU General Education Breadth: D Social Sciences; US-3 California State and Local Government
- BC General Education Pattern (starting Summer 2025): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Science; Area 6: Ethnic Studies; Area 8: American Institutions
- California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Analysis of the role of state and local governments, with special emphasis directed to the history and development of these institutions; the state and local political environment; political parties, interest groups, citizen and media inputs; current problems and changing functions affecting local governments. Partially satisfies the requirements in U.S. Constitution, American history and institutions.

### POLS B16 — Vital Political Problems

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/bakersfield-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md)
- Credit - Degree Applicable
- Non-repeatable credit
- Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC): Area 4 Soc. and Beh. Sci
- CSU General Education Breadth: D Social Sciences
- BC General Education Pattern (starting Summer 2025): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Science
- California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Examination of major political problems challenging the United States today. Emphasis on class discussion and individual analysis of controversial topics involving political policy in the context of the study of political science.

### POLS C1000 — American Government and Politics

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **C-ID:** POLS 110
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 47 sections listed as POLS B1 (/c/bakersfield-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md); Spring 2027, 41 sections listed as POLS B1 (/c/bakersfield-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md)
- Credit - Degree Applicable
- Non-repeatable credit
- CSU General Education Breadth: D Social Sciences; US-2 The U.S. Constitution; US-3 California State and Local Government
- Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC): Area 4 Soc. and Beh. Sci
- California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- BC General Education Pattern (starting Summer 2025): Area 4: Social and Behavioral Science; Area 8: American Institutions; Area 6: Ethnic Studies

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. Part 2 Note: Not open to students that have successfully completed POLS B1.