Political Science

The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a baccalaureate degree in Political Science. Political science is the study of governments, power relations, public policies, political theories, political processes, and political behavior. The Political science major at Gavilan College is designed to develop knowledge, analytical skills, and critical insight into the nature of politics and political problems. Political science subfields include American government, political theory, comparative politics, and international politics. The major introduces each of these subfields to prospective students. The aim of the AA-T degree in Political Science is to prepare students for active participation in political life, whether as informed citizens or residents, as well as to prepare students for transfer into the CSU system as a political science major specializing in several possible subfields such as American politics, campaign management studies, comparative politics, international relations and terrorism studies. The aim of the AA-T degree in Political Science is to prepare students for active participation in political life, whether as informed citizens or residents, as well as to prepare students for transfer into the CSU system as a political science major specializing in several possible subfields such as American politics, campaign management studies, comparative politics, international relations and terrorism studies.

Learning Outcome(s):

1. Critically examine and analyze the core concepts of political science (government, regime, state, institutions, sovereignty, constitution, democracy, authoritarianism, and globalization)
2. Critically examine and analyze the political, institutional, and cultural consequences of political, social, and ethnic inequalities
3. Identify, compare, and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in the discipline
4. Critically examine and analyze the forms and processes of political participation at the local, state, national, and/or international levels
5. Evaluate the theories, methods, and techniques used to investigate and analyze political behavior, past and present
6. Critically examine and evaluate the structure and function of other nations' political systems and the international system
7. Critically examine and evaluate the historical and philosophical foundations of the United States and California constitutions
8. Critically examine complex issues and develop, evaluate, and test solutions and hypotheses using the scientific method
9. Write research papers using descriptive, empirical, and analytical techniques.