Credit
15 courses · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
POLS C1000 American Government and Politics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 (54 lecture)
- 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. (Formerly POLS 101 prior to Fall 2025.)
POLS 102 American Government And Politics: Discussion
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 (18 lecture)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with unit limitation)
Optional course intended to augment student understanding of the political process and related issues as presented in Political Science C1000.
POLS 104 American Government: Policy Issues/Process
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 (54 lecture)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Study of formulation, enactment and impact of public policy issues in the U.S. and the state of California, including environment, health care, energy, poverty and welfare, defense, criminal justice, education, civil rights and budgets. Emphasis on policy models, processes and issues.
POLS 108 California Government and Politics
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 72 (18 lecture, 54 lab)
- Prerequisite
- POLS C1000 or
- Corequisite
- POLS C1000.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Analysis and hands-on experience of the policy process in Sacramento/California, studying and meeting with state and local government entities and all the principals involved in the policy process, from inception to policy implementation. Special Fee: Field Trip fee of $900.00 will cover lodging, meals and incidentals. Scholarships are available.
POLS 110 Politics, Society And The Mass Media
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 (54 lecture)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Examination of the role played by the mass media in contemporary political society. This survey course includes a focus on such topics as national and international propaganda, the evolution of television and campaign advertising, news analysis, television and political information, government regulation and First Amendment controversies.
POLS 121 International Politics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 (54 lecture)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with unit limitation)
- C-ID
- POLS 140
Introduction to the field of international politics. Discussion of the history of international politics, including the emergence of nation-states, international organization, and nongovernmental organizations. Use of various international relations theories to analyze war and conflict, diplomacy and cooperation, and foreign policy making.
POLS 121H International Politics, Honors
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 (72 lecture)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with unit limitation)
- C-ID
- POLS 140
Introduction to the field of international politics. Discussion of the history of international politics, including the emergence of nation-states, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations. Use of various international relations theories to analyze war and conflict, diplomacy and cooperation, and foreign policy making.
POLS 122 International Organizations: Global and Regional Governance
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 (54 lecture)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Focuses on the history and current actions of international organizations, such as the UN and the EU, and their diverse member states. Discussion of a variety of international problems, such as effective governance, war, economic development, environmental problems and human rights. Students participate in an in-class simulation activity.
POLS 131 Comparative Politics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 (54 lecture)
- Advisory
- POLS 101 or POLS 121.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 130
Comparative analysis of different kinds of political systems, including their history, political institutions, processes and policies; the environments in which they occur; and their consequences. Comparisons will be made between autocratic and democratic political systems and the political institutions of selected countries, such as Russia, China, Iran, Britain, France and Germany.
POLS 132 Political Thinking
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 (54 lecture)
- Advisory
- POLS C1000.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 120
Exploration of fundamental issues in political theory as interpreted by such thinkers as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Burke, Rousseau, Marx and others.
POLS 134H Political Violence, Honors
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 (72 lecture)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Interdisciplinary study of origin, causes, dimensions and kinds of political violence, from regicide to terrorism, from revolution to war. Emphasis on theoretical and historical studies of political violence.
POLS 136 Middle East Government And Politics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 (54 lecture)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the comparative study of the governments and politics of Middle Eastern states. Emphasis on the study of the relationships between political development, political organization and social structure and such concepts as tradition, modernity, autocracy, democracy and political transition.
POLS 151 Law And Society
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 (54 lecture)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with unit limitation)
Study of the American judicial system as a political institution. Courts, judges, lawyers and police will be examined. Emphasis placed on issues involving the criminal justice system.
POLS 295 Internship in Political Science
- Units
- 2-4
- Hours
- 210 (210 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Internship program in which students gain experience in community organizations related to the discipline.
POLS 299 Independent Study in Political Science
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 192 (192 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU