# Political Science (PSCI) courses Golden West College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 11 courses Source: https://catalog.cccd.edu/golden-west/course-descriptions/credit-courses/psci/ "Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026, Spring 2027. ### POLS C1000 — American Government and Politics - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 lecture hours - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 9 sections (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md); Spring 2027, 8 sections (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md) - Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass Formerly: PSCI G180. 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. Enrollment Limitation: PSCI G181/ETHS G181; students who complete POLS C1000 may not enroll in or receive credit for PSCI G181 or ETHS G181. Common Course Number: POLS C1000.C-ID: POLS 110. ### PSCI G100 — Introduction To Political Science - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 lecture hours - **Advisory:** ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E. - **C-ID:** POLS 150 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/fall-2026/psci.md) - Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass This course is an introduction to political science designed to familiarize students with basic political concepts, political ideologies, political systems, models of political analysis and political science subfields. ### PSCI G101 — Survey Of Current Issues - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 lecture hours - **Advisory:** Successful completion of English Composition is recommended. - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules - Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass This course surveys current political issues and public policy in California and the United States. Students will learn the skills necessary to evaluate political issues, analyze public policy, employ effective arguments and propose solutions. ### PSCI G103 — Race, Ethnicity and Political Issues - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 lecture hours - **Advisory:** ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E. - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/fall-2026/psci.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/spring-2027/psci.md) - Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass This course is identical to ETHS G103. This course surveys American political policies and issues. The emphasis will be on areas of significance confronting African American, Native American, Asian and Latinx populations. Students will learn life-long skills necessary to evaluate policies and issues, analyze opposing viewpoints and problem-solve. Enrollment Limitation: ETHS G103; students who complete PSCI G103 may not enroll in or receive credit for ETHS G103. ### PSCI G110 — International Relations - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 lecture hours - **Advisory:** ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E. - **C-ID:** POLS 140 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/fall-2026/psci.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/spring-2027/psci.md) - Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass This course provides an introduction to world politics as it relates to national conflict and international cooperation. Important to this course is an examination of various levels of governmental and non-governmental actors and their institutions, interactions, and processes as they relate to global issues. ### PSCI G130 — Law In American Society - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 lecture hours - **Advisory:** College-level reading, writing and critical thinking skills. - **C-ID:** LPPS 110 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/fall-2026/psci.md) - Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass This course provides an overview of the American legal system including its development, structure, and history. The course will review the legal and judicial process in the United States; explain legal sources, research, and reasoning; and introduce the various areas of law. ### PSCI G135 — International Political Economy - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 lecture hours - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/spring-2027/psci.md) - Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass This course is identical to ECON G135. This course examines the relationship between economics and political science through an international lens. Students will explore a range of topics that bridge the gap between politics and economies by analyzing complex issues that include global disparities, the rise of emerging markets, and the strategic interaction between international actors and policy. Enrollment Limitation: ECON G135; students who complete PSCI G135 may not enroll in or receive credit for ECON G135. ### PSCI G150 — Political Theory - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 lecture hours - **C-ID:** POLS 120 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/fall-2026/psci.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/spring-2027/psci.md) - Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass This course is identical to PHIL G150. This course introduces students to traditional philosophical issues concerning politics. Students will actively engage in an analysis of normative issues using historical insight as well as contemporary approaches. Among these issues are the nature of legitimate authority, political obligation, natural rights, equality and justice. The course emphasizes selections from the major works of such political philosophers as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx and Mill. Enrollment Limitation: PHIL G150; students who complete PSCI G150 may not enroll in or receive credit for PHIL G150. ### PSCI G181 — American Government: The Politics of Race and Ethnicity - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 lecture hours - **Advisory:** ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E. - **C-ID:** POLS 110 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 9 sections (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/fall-2026/psci.md); Spring 2027, 9 sections (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/spring-2027/psci.md) - Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass This course is identical to ETHS G181. This course provides an introduction to United States and California governments and examines their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. Students will analyze the politics of race and ethnicity and its effect on political behavior, institutions and the exercise of political power. Central to this study will be the history, experiences and contributions of African Americans, Asians, Native Americans and Latinx. Additionally, this course will focus on policy content and relevant political issues facing racial and ethnic populations. Enrollment Limitation: POLS C1000/ETHS G181; students who complete PSCI G181 may not enroll in or receive credit for POLS C1000, or ETHS G181. ### PSCI G185 — Comparative Politics - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 lecture hours - **C-ID:** POLS 130 - **Transfers to:** CSU, UC - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/fall-2026/psci.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/golden-west-college/schedule/spring-2027/psci.md) - Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass This course provides an introduction to the tools and concepts of comparative analysis. Students will explore and examine the different types of political systems in the world, including the environment in which they exist, their history, political behavior, institutions, processes and the consequences of governmental policy and action. ### PSCI G190 — California State and Local Government - **Units:** 1 - **Hours:** 18 lecture hours - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules - Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass This course is an introduction to politics and government in California and provides a survey of state and local institutions and processes. This course fulfills the California state and local government requirement for students who have taken a United States government and Constitution course outside of California or students who have received Advanced Placement credit for American Government. Enrollment Limitation: PSCI G190; students who complete POLS C1000/PSCI G181/ETHS G181/PSCI G180 may not enroll in or receive credit for PSCI G190.