# Political Science (POLS) courses

Victor Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 12 courses

Source: https://catalog.vvc.edu/course-descriptions/pols/

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027.

### POLS C1000 — American Government and Politics

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **C-ID:** POLS 110
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Summer 2026, 8 sections (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/summer-2026/pols.md); Fall 2026, 19 sections (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md); Winter 2027, 9 sections (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/winter-2027/pols.md); Spring 2027, 21 sections (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md)

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 102. C-ID POLS 110.

### POLS 101 — Introduction to Political Science

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **C-ID:** POLS 150
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/summer-2026/pols.md); Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md)

An introduction to political science designed to familiarize students with basic political concepts, political ideologies, political systems, and subfields within political science. Presents a comprehensive survey of the study of political science, modern political ideologies and movements, participation, institutions of government, political issues and foreign affairs of nation-states around the world. C-ID POLS 150.

### POLS 103 — State and Local Government

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md)

An introduction to the study of the American political system at the state and local levels of government. Examines the workings of our complex system of federalism by focusing on contemporary state and local government institutions, citizen participation, political problems, politics, and policies. Emphasis is given to the analysis of California political issues, politics and government. .

### POLS 110 — Introduction to International Relations

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **Advisory:** ENGL-101.0
- **C-ID:** POLS 140
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md)

An introduction to the analysis of the historical development and contemporary setting of political relations between and among nation-states, trans-national movements, and international organizations. Introduces the analytical approaches to the study of world affairs and theories of international conflict and cooperation. Explores the variety of governmental and non-governmental entities on the world stage today, their foreign policy goals and interests, and instruments and uses of power. Examines contemporary issues confronting the global community and the historical development and uses of international law and organizations. C-ID POLS 140.

### POLS 112 — Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **Advisory:** ENGL-101.0
- **C-ID:** POLS 130
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md)

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. C-ID POLS 130.

### POLS 113 — Politics of Middle East and North Africa

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **Advisory:** ENGL-101.0
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md)

This course will examine the Middle East and North Africa through a comparative politics perspective. This will include an examination of the following items: an overview of the region's histories, geographies, peoples, cultures, religions and languages; the fundamentals of the Islamic and Judaic belief systems; current events such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the War in Iraq and other real and potential geopolitical conflicts. Grade option.

### POLS 114 — Introduction to Political Theory and Thought

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **Advisory:** ENGL 101.0
- **C-ID:** POLS 120
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md)

Examination of various theoretical approaches to politics, with a focus on conceptions of the common good and distributive justice, the nature of rights, the significance of equality and liberty. Analysis of selected political theories and of the relevance of theory to contemporary themes and global challenges, e.g. same-sex marriage, racial justice, economic inequality, health care, war and violence, immigration, debt cancellation, immigration, climate change, international law. Crosslisted with PHIL 114. C-ID POLS 120.

### POLS 129 — Independent Study

- **Units:** 1-3
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules

Assigned projects involving research, directed study, internship hours or study abroad opportunities for students who are interested in furthering their knowledge in political science on an independent study basis. Enrollment limited to those who meet independent study criteria. Prior to registration, a contract must be prepared. See instructors for details.

### POLS 138 — Work Experience Education Political Science

- **Units:** 1-8
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/fall-2026/pols.md)

Work Experience Education is a key element of Victor Valley College's comprehensive approach to career development. Work Experience Education is a 16-, 12-, or 8-week course that enables students to receive college credit for paid or unpaid work opportunities. This course helps students gain valuable on-the-job work experience while providing practical education, best practices in professional development, and academic guidance through the course of their work opportunity. The combination of practical experience and curricular development empowers students to be more competitive, efficient and valuable employees upon completion of this program and/or their academic program trajectory. The course is ideal for students who are cross-training at their current worksite for upward mobility or seeking career changes, as well as those looking for entry-level occupational training through work-based learning experiences such as through an internship. Work Experience Education transforms community businesses, industries, and public agencies into expanded educational training laboratories. Credit is awarded on the basis of learning objectives completed and the number of hours the student trains. Students must create/complete new learning objectives each semester they enroll. Students may utilize their present work sites. More details are available in the Work Experience Education Office, (760) 245-4271, ext. 2281.

### POLS 206 — Introduction to Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/spring-2027/pols.md)

This course examines American environmental policy and how natural resources are managed. The historical, global, and ethical dimensions of how our society relates to the environment are analyzed from an interdisciplinary perspective.

### POLS 217 — Introduction to Social Sciences Research Methods

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **Prerequisite:** SOC 101, Minimum grade C
- **Advisory:** MATH-120
- **C-ID:** POLS 160
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules

This course surveys the research methods employed in the social sciences. Research design, experimental procedures, descriptive methods, instrumentation, and the collection, interpretation, and reporting of research data, and the ethics of research are introduced. C-ID POLS 160. .

### POLS 221 — Model United Nations

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture hours
- **Advisory:** ENGL-101.0
- **Transfers to:** CSU
- **Offered:** Winter 2027, 1 section (/c/victor-valley-college/schedule/winter-2027/pols.md)

The course introduces students to the theory and practice of international diplomacy through participation in Model United Nations simulations. The course focuses on the history, structure, and functions of the United Nations; international bargaining and diplomacy; conflict resolution; researching and writing position papers and resolutions; and public speaking. Students are not required to attend a Model United Nations Conference.