Program description

The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree (AA-T in Political Science) initiates a systemic and scholarly study of the politics of influence, human behavior that shape world events. Through this curriculum students are exposed to research methodology that connects them to a formal operational level of reasoning. Political science studies diversity in cultures, how power is exercised or resisted, and how nations are governed. The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree provides the student with the problem solving skills to become active participants in the world around them.

This degree is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements and filing an application for graduation with Admissions and Records, the student’s transcript will reflect completion of this degree.

Program learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this degree, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of political science, the origin and nature of the State, patterns and functions of government and how political ideologies affect open and closed systems of government today.
2. Describe basic structural components of national government (legislative, executive and judicial) and explain their relationship to each other and sub-national governmental units.
3. Describe and understand the Bill of Rights and the contemporary U.S. Supreme Court decisions, which explain the current status of individual rights as outlined by this document and later amendments.
4. Indicate the function of the mass media, particularly television and the internet, as a vital influence in the election process.
5. Identify and discuss how globalization has impacted the developing world.
6. Debate the issue of sustainability and potentially negative consequences of development.
7. Critically investigate the causes, costs and potential resolution of ethnic conflicts.
8. Discuss the history of and trends in the emergence of the international nation-state system and modern challenges to that system.
9. Synthesize knowledge of political, social and economic conditions in the world as evidenced through a research paper or project
10. Critically evaluate global political concepts such as balance of power, diplomacy, just war theory and arms control.

In addition to the 34-unit general education pattern for Cal-GETC, students must complete the core courses listed below for the Associate in Art in Political Science for Transfer Degree. Students must also obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and a C or better in each major course, or a “P" if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Requirements

Any course not selected from List A above OR Any other courses that are articulated as lower division major preparation for the Political Science major at a CSU.

May be used to fulfill Cal-GETC requirements. See a counselor.

Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer Degree Requirements