Political Science
Associate of Arts (AA) Political Science, Economics, Global Studies, and Law and Society · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
The study of politics in our contemporary world is the study of how people govern themselves. We examine the process by which scarce resources are allocated to an expanding population with ever-increasing demands. We look at American politics as an experience in "self-government" and realize that our system is quite different, for example, from the political system developed by the People's Republic of China -- and also different from other Western democracies. We examine these differences and attempt to understand something about the degree to which one system works better than another.
Requirements
Associate Degree Graduation Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 20% of the major requirements must be completed through SBCC).
- One of the following General Education options:
- OPTION 1: SBCC General Education pattern OR
- OPTION 2: Cal-GETC pattern
- A minimum of 60 semester units of degree-applicable college credit (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher and C1000 and higher).
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in degree-applicable coursework.
- A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| POLS 121 | International Politics | 3-4 |
| orPOLS 121H | International Politics, Honors | |
| POLS 131 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLS 132 | Political Thinking | 3 |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| List A - Complete two courses from the following: | 6-8 | |
| ANTH 103 | Introduction To Cultural Anthropology | |
| ANTH 109 | Comparative World Cultures | |
| ANTH 113 | Witchcraft, Magic, Science And Religion | |
| ASAM 101 | Comparative Asian-American History, 1849-1965 | |
| ASAM 102 | Contemporary Asian-American History | |
| CHST 101 | Mexican-American (Chicano) History In The U.S. | |
| CHST 102 | The Chicano And Latino In U.S. History, From The 1960's To The Present | |
| CHST 103 | Mexican-American (Chicano) Culture | |
| CHST 121 | The Chicana And Other Latina Women | |
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
| orECON C2001H | Principles of Microeconomics - Honors | |
| ECON C2002 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| orECON C2002H | Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors | |
| ERTH 142/GEOG 105 | Economic Geography | |
| ETHS 101 | The Immigrant Experience in the U.S. | |
| orETHS 101H | The Immigrant Experience in the U.S., Honors | |
| ETHS 107/SOC 107 | Racism In America | |
| ETHS 109 | U.S.-Mexico And Other Borderlands | |
| ETHS 121 | Women of Color In The U.S. | |
| ETHS 122 | Arab-American/Middle Eastern Women In The U.S. | |
| GEOG 102 | Human Geography | |
| GLST 101 | Introduction to Global Studies | |
| GLST 102 | Global Problems | |
| NATA 102 | The Native American In 20th Century Society | |
| NATA 103 | Native American Cultural Heritage | |
| NATA 104 | California Indians | |
| HIST 103 | History of Western Civilization | |
| HIST 104 | History of Western Civilization | |
| orHIST 113H | History Of Western Civilization: 1600 To Present, Honors | |
| HIST 120 | Modern Europe | |
| HIST 121 | History Of Great Britain | |
| HIST 122 | History Of Great Britain | |
| HIST 127 | History Of Russia | |
| HIST 133 | History of Latin America | |
| HIST 134 | History Of Latin America: 1800'S To Modern Period | |
| HIST 135 | History of Mexico | |
| HIST 138 | History of the Modern Middle East | |
| HIST C1001 | United States History to 1877 | |
| HIST C1002 | United States History since 1865 | |
| orHIST C1002H | History Of The U.S. Since 1865 - Honors | |
| PHIL 100 | Introduction to Philosophy | |
| orPHIL 100H | Introduction to Philosophy, Honors | |
| PHIL 101 | Introduction to Ethics | |
| orPHIL 101H | Introduction To Ethics, Honors | |
| PHIL 200 | History Of Philosophy: Ancient | |
| PHIL 201 | Modern Philosophy: Minds, Matter, and Metaphysics | |
| POLS 104 | American Government: Policy Issues/Process | |
| POLS 110 | Politics, Society And The Mass Media | |
| POLS 122 | International Organizations: Global and Regional Governance | |
| POLS 134H | Political Violence, Honors | |
| POLS 136 | Middle East Government And Politics | |
| POLS 151 | Law And Society | |
| PSY 145 | Human Development | |
| PSY 170 | Abnormal Psychology | |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | |
| orPSYC C1000H | Introduction to Psychology - Honors | |
| SOC 101 | Introduction To Sociology | |
| orSOC 101H | Introduction to Sociology, Honors | |
| SOC 104 | Social Psychology | |
| orPSY 175 | Social Psychology: Psychological Perspective | |
| SOC 113 | Sociology Of Sex and Gender | |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| orPSY 150 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | |
| orSOC 125 | Introduction to Statistics in Sociology | |
| Total Units | 18.00-21.00 | |
Learning Outcomes
Students majoring in Political Science should, at the end of their two years of study at the college, be able to achieve the following level of proficiency in this field. This measure is referred to as Student Learning Outcomes, and they are as follows for the Political Science Department:
- Demonstrate knowledge of how people are governed and how they govern themselves
- Analyze the role of government institutions in contemporary society
- Demonstrate knowledge of key terms and core concepts of political systems
Recommended Sequence
Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.
How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.