Courses

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.

This course provides an introduction to the central themes of comparative politics, with a focus on the examination of variations in constitutional principles, governmental institutions, political culture, economic systems, and political problems in countries around the world.

Introduction to political theory, ancient, modern, and contemporary. An examination of the general or abstract principles of politics.

This course surveys the recent phenomenon called globalization. The course analyzes competing political theories and perspectives on globalization and examines actual policies, including the possibilities and limitations that globalization offers to and imposes on everyday life.

Introduction to International Relations, with emphasis on International Relations theory. Issues covered include war and conflict, international order, diplomacy, human rights, terrorism, international political economy and the environment.

This course surveys the role of race and ethnicity in American politics. Theories of race and identity, and political experiences and power patterns in U.S. politics are explored through political science approaches by African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino/Hispanic Americans, European Americans, Indigenous/First Nation Americans, and Multiracial Americans.

Introduction to public policy, including key political actors and institutions involved in policy making, public policy theories, the context of the policy process, policy evaluation, and analysis of alternative policy approaches.

The constitutional systems, political processes, and social problems of Latin American nations

Introduction to politics and public policy of gender in the United States, including women's and LGBTQ politics and policy. An analysis of American politics and public policy through a gendered lens. An examination of the development and current role of gender in rights, representation, and public policy.

Introduction to the political science subfields and the environment, focusing on environmental politics and policy in the United States, comparative environmental politics and policy, environmental issues in international relations, and ecopolitical thought.

An individualized reading or research program where students work one-on-one with a faculty member on topics in political science.

An individual's civil and criminal rights under the Constitution. Analysis of leading cases and legal principles which protect individual freedom with a civil liberties and civil rights perspective.

Survey of the governments and politics of the Middle East and North Africa in a comparative political science regional course.