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Political Science
 | Department Information |
| | Program Description |
| | Career Opportunities |
| | Features |
| | Preparation |
| | Major Requirements (B.A.) |
| | Other Degree Requirements |
| | Pre-Law Students |
| | Minor Requirements |
| | Undergraduate Courses |
| Department Information |
Department of Political Science
College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Office: Meiklejohn Hall 4092
Phone: (510) 885-3221
Website: http://class.csueastbay.edu/politicalscience/
| Professor Emeritus Sherman L. Lewis, Ph.D. Columbia University Professors David Sadofsky Baggins (Chair), Ph.D. Syracuse University Michael E. Good, Ph.D. Miami University of Ohio Associate Professors Norman A. Bowen, Ph.D. State University of New York at Albany Kim Geron, Ph.D. University of California, Riverside Melissa R. Michelson, Ph.D. Yale University Lecturers Craig Collins, Ph.D. University of California, Davis Wendy J. Sarvasy, Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles | |||||
Please consult the 2009-2010 online catalog for any changes that may occur.
| Program Description |
The political science curriculum helps students to acquire an organized body of knowledge about government and to think analytically about public policy, law, and politics. The political science degree prepares graduates to enter careers in government, public service, public administration, public policy analysis, legislative advocacy, business, international relations, and teaching. Many Cal State East Bay political science graduates continue their academic careers in law school, or in the pursuit of graduate degrees in political science or public policy analysis.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.A. in Political Science from Cal State East Bay will: 1) know the techniques for skillfully reading and interpreting different types of writing, such as textbooks, scholarly books and journal articles, case law, newspaper articles, government documents (including those that employ statistics), and original philosophical texts; 2) be able to assess information, including demonstrating the ability to distinguish between the central and peripheral aspects of a piece of writing, and between well-substantiated arguments and unsupported assertions; 3) be able to write knowledgeably, correctly, clearly and logically.
| Career Opportunities |
Administrative Assistant • Attorney • Campaign Aide/Manager • Diplomat • FBI/CIA Agent • Foreign Service Officer • International Relations Specialist • Journalist • Labor Organizer/Union Representative • Law Clerk • Legislative Advocate/Lobbyist • Legislative Aide • Paralegal • Legal Assistant • Police Officer • Politician • Polling Specialist • Private Investigator • Public Administrator • Public Information Officer • Research Specialist • Secret Service Agent • Teacher
| Features |
The political science major offers a Pre-Law option for students planning a career in law. The Public Affairs and Administration option is designed to meet the needs of students contemplating a career in public administration. The Political Science department offers a major, a minor, and a Liberal Studies option. Special features of the Political Science major include: the Intercollegiate Model United Nations Club; field trips to Sacramento and to State and Federal courts; guest political speakers; pre-law advising; local, Sacramento, Washington, and political campaign internships; and the Political Science Club.
| Preparation |
For Advanced Placement course equivalencies, see Registration chapter.
| Major Requirements (B.A.) |
Please consult an advisor in your major department for clarification and interpretation of your major requirements. The regular major consists of 56 units; the Pre-Law option consists of 64 units; the Public Affairs and Administration option consists of 61 units. The B.A. degree requires a total of 180 units.
The Traditional Political Science Major
| I. | Lower Division (8-16 units) | ||||
| A. | POSC 1201 American Political Institutions (4) | ||||
| POSC 1202 Public Policy/California Politics (4) | |||||
| B. | Students may take an additional 0-8 units of lower division political science courses. | ||||
| II. | Upper Division (40-48 units) | ||||
| A. | POSC 3030 The Study of Political Science (4) | ||||
| B. | One course in each of the following five fields (20) | ||||
| 1. | American Government and Public Administration (includes courses listed under Public Policy and Administration) | ||||
| 2. | Public Law | ||||
| 3. | Comparative Government and Politics | ||||
| 4. | International Relations | ||||
| 5. | Political Theory | ||||
| C. | POSC 4910 Political Science Seminar (4) | ||||
| D. | Twelve (12) to twenty (20) additional units from upper division political science courses | ||||
| Other Degree Requirements |
In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University requirements for graduation which are described in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements chapter in the front of this catalog. These include the General Education-Breadth requirements; the second composition (ENGL 1002) requirement; the cultural groups/women requirement; the performing arts/activities requirement; the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement; the University Writing Skills Requirement; and the residence, unit, and grade point average requirements.
Pre-Law Option
Also see "Pre-Law Students" later in this chapter.
Students taking this option will focus their coursework in legal studies. Completion of this program will lead to a B.A. degree, major in Political Science with an option in Pre-Law. The total required for the major with Pre-Law option is 64 units. The total required for the B.A. degree is 180 units.
Two quarters before you expect to graduate, complete a major check sheet and inquire about other requirements for graduation. The following is an outline indicating specific courses and options necessary for completing the option in pre-law.
| I. | Foundation Courses (24 units) | ||||
| POSC 1201 American Political Institutions (4) POSC 1202 Public Policy/California Politics (4) POSC 3030 The Study of Political Science (4) | |||||
| One lower or upper division course in International Relations (4) One lower or upper division course in Comparative Government (4) One upper division course in Political Theory (4) | |||||
| II. | The Political and Policy Context of the Law (16 units) | ||||
| Choose 16 units from the following: | |||||
| H SC 3350 Health Legislation and Government Programs (4); MGMT 4500 Business, Government and Society (4); any Political Science course listed under the headings "American Government and Politics" or "Public Policy and Administration." | |||||
| III. | Public Law (20 units) | ||||
| Choose 20 units from the following: | |||||
| ACCT 2701 Legal Environment of Business (4); PHIL/POSC 3503 Philosophy of Law (4); any Political Science course listed under the heading "Public Law." | |||||
| IV. | Capstone (4 units) | ||||
| POSC 4910 Political Science Seminar (4) | |||||
Students taking this option will concentrate their coursework in American political institutions, public policy, and administrative processes. Completion of this program will lead to a B.A. degree major in Political Science, with an option in Public Affairs and Administration.
Since several courses overlap (ECON 2301, 2302, ACCT 2251, MGMT 4500), the department encourages students who pursue this option to consider combining it with the Minor in Business Administration.
The major with this option consists of 61 units; the B.A. requires a total of 180 units. The course requirements for this option are as follows:
| I. | Lower Division (21 units) | ||||
| ECON 2301 (4) ECON 2302 or POSC 1202 (4) POSC 1201 (4) One course from each group (9 units) | |||||
| Group I: STAT 1000 or STAT 2010 Group II: ACCT 2251 | |||||
| II. | Upper Division (40 units) | ||||
| Group I: Public Affairs and Administrative Process (at least 12 units) | |||||
| ECON 3370; POSC 3800, 3870, 4445, 4861; PUAD 4800, 4830 | |||||
| Group II: Political Institutions and Processes (at least 8 units) | |||||
| Any Political Science courses listed under the heading "American Government and Politics" | |||||
| Group III: Public Affairs and Public Policy (8 units) | |||||
| ECON 3375; HSC 3350; MGMT 4500; POSC 3505; and any Political Science course listed under the heading "Public Policy and Administration," if not used under Group I. | |||||
| Service Requirement (4 units) | |||||
| May be fulfilled by taking POSC 3113, 3898 or another service course approved by the department chair. | |||||
| Foundation Requirement (4 units) | |||||
| POSC 3030 The Study of Political Science | |||||
| Capstone Course (4 units) | |||||
| POSC 4910 Political Science Seminar | |||||
| Pre-Law Students |
The study of law is a postgraduate professional program, requiring three years of full-time study beyond the completion of the bachelor's degree. No specific pre-law undergraduate program is required for admission to law schools. However, students wishing to focus on legal studies at Cal State East Bay, may complete the Pre-Law option in the Political Science major.
Students intending to enter law school commonly complete undergraduate majors in political science, economics, business, or history. The pre-law student's undergraduate plan of study should include among its objectives a facility in the proper use of written and spoken English, a sampling of undergraduate law courses, one or more critical/logical thinking courses, and a basic understanding of government and economics. Some law schools recommend that students take a basic accounting course, particularly if they are interested in business or tax law.
Students planning to enter law school should consult a pre-law advisor. Dr. David Baggins of the Department of Political Science, who is an attorney, serves as the university pre-law advisor. Several other departments also have pre-law advisors.
Most accredited law schools require that applicants complete the Law School Admission Test. The LSAT is typically given in September, December, February, and June at one or more testing centers in the Bay Area. Pre-law students should obtain LSAT registration materials and law school applications early in their senior year. Copies of these materials can be secured from the Office of Assessment and Testing Services and from the Department of Political Science. The Political Science department library has a copy of the Law School Guidebook and many law school catalogs.
| Minor Requirements |
The minor consists of 24 units of Political Science courses of which at least 16 units must be in upper division. The purpose of the Minor in Political Science is to provide a general background in political science to complement majors in such areas as business administration, environmental studies, science, humanities, and the other social sciences. The student should consult with a Political Science department advisor or the chairperson in selecting courses.
| Undergraduate Courses |
| The course prefix for the following courses is POSC. Lower Division Courses | |
| 1000 | Introduction to Political Science (4) Introduction to the study of politics and government, surveying the concepts and approaches of political science. |
| 1171 | Environmental Politics (4) The history and present status of the ideologies, interests, movements and understandings that form modern environmental policy and politics. |
| 1201 | American Political Institutions (4) Development of political institutions and ideals in the U.S. Key elements of the political system, including the Constitution, Presidency, Congress, Courts, parties, elections, and bureaucracy. Combined with POSC 1202 meets code requirements in U.S. history, U.S. Constitution and California government. |
| 1202 | Public Policy/California Politics (4) Issues in American public policy, focusing on contemporary controversies (environment, poverty, etc.) California state and local government. Combined with HIST 1101, HIST 3400, HIST 3540, POSC 1201, POSC 3441, or POSC 3442 meets U.S. History, Constitution and Institutions requirement. |
| 1500 | Conflict in World Politics (4) Causes of conflict. Topics include Iraq and Desert Storm, Bosnia, the Middle East, and Third World conflicts. Analysis of foreign aggression, civil war, terrorism, ethnic struggle, nationalism, boundary disputes, military force, sanctions, peacekeeping, mediation, disaster relief, and economic aid. |
| 2410 | Law and Society Across Disciplines (4) Introduction to the American legal system. Evolution of values in the law; courts in the political system; policy impact of modern legal initiatives. Not open to those with credit for POSC 3410. |
| Upper Division Courses American Government and Politics | |
| 3101 | American Government in Simulation (4) The institutions of the U.S. national government, such as the Congress, the courts and party conventions, studied through the use of simulations, both electronic and classroom, in which all students participate. |
| 3111 | The American Presidency (4) Study of the American Presidency both historically and analytically with an emphasis on roles and powers; the struggle between the President and Congress; the leadership role of the President in government, political parties, and public opinion. |
| 3113 | Political Internship (2-4) Practical experience on a legislative or executive staff or in a campaign organization. May be repeated once for credit with permission of instructor. |
| 3115 | United States Congress (4) Development of the modern Congress, including 20th century reforms; Congressional power; leadership and partisanship; inter-branch relations; Congressional elections and campaign finance reform, incumbency and redistricting; the committee system. Not open to those with credit for POSC 3112. |
| 3120 | State and Local Politics and Government (4) The structures, processes, policies, political culture and power distributions of governments of states, cities, suburbs, small towns, metropolitan areas and neighborhoods. Special reference to California and San Francisco Bay Area institutions and problems. Satisfies the California state and local government code requirement. |
| 3130 | Urban Politics (4) Styles and structures of city government; community power studies; community control and metropolitan government; problems of crime, welfare, finance, education, pollution, planning; emphasis on the Bay Area. (Y) |
| 3150 | Politics of California (4) Political culture, electoral systems, and public policy in California. Field trip to the California Legislature. Satisfies code requirement in California state and local government. |
| 3300 | Voting and Public Opinion (4) Nature and causes of voter turnout and vote choice. Determinants and effects of public opinion. Methodology used for measurement and analysis of these subjects. Prerequisite: STAT 1000 or 1100. |
| 3310 | Political Parties and Campaigning (4) Party organizations in U.S. and California, historical changes in party operations, political machines and patronage, money in politics, party labels, the differences and similarities between the major parties, minor parties, the new style of campaigns, professional campaign management firms, the prospects for reform. |
| 3333 | Ethnic and Minority Politics (4) Contemporary and historic analysis of ethnic and minority participation in the political process. Voting, elections, interest groups, political machines, office holders, activists, strategies, and common participatory patterns. Cross-listed with E S 3333. |
| 3340 | Women and Politics (4) Public policy relating to American women; impact of the women's movement on public policy and political behavior; women as voters, political activists, political office-holders; the function of sex roles in the political system. |
| 3360 | Culture and Politics in the United States (4) How political personality is formed by cultural experience in the U.S. Influences such as generational effects, gender, region, ethnicity and sexual identity. News reporting, literature, movies and television as sources of the development of political personality. |
| 3375 | Practical Politics (4) Professional skills in winning elections and influencing policy. Reading and practice in framing issues, political strategy, campaign management, advertising, polling, speech writing, media relations, Internet use, fund-raising, litigation, lobbying, building and sustaining support. |
| Public Policy and Administration | |
| 3170 | Public Policy and the Family (4) The evolution of and current controversies over American government policies on the family, including abortion, family planning, marriage, divorce and custody, child care subsidies, wife battering, child abuse, and welfare. Impact of policies on the poor and minority groups, as well as on middle class whites. |
| 3418 | U.S. Immigration Policy and Law (4) Development of U.S. immigration policy including theories, demographic trends, sources of immigration legislation, case law. Relationship of politics, policy, culture, social and economic status to racial and ethnic groups, women, and workers. |
| 3419 | Labor Policy and Law (4) Historical development and changing fortunes of working class, trade unions, immigrant, and women workers. Growth among government workers and declining numbers in private industry. U.S. Government's labor laws and judicial interpretation for private and public sectors. |
| 3522 | The Politics and Law of New Genetic Technologies (4) The politics and law of new genetic technologies (cloning, stem cell research, genetic engineering, etc.) in global perspective. National and international models for oversight. Comparison of approaches by types of political regime and economic system. |
| 3800 | Public Policy Analysis (4) Surveys the formulation, implementation, and impact of public policy dealing with social and economic problems. Examines and evaluates the causes and content of government policy in various areas such as civil rights, social welfare, urban affairs, crime, education, health, environment, energy, taxation. |
| 3870 | Public Personnel Management (4) Politics, history, values and contemporary issues related to employment in the public sector. Topics include discriminatory practices, affirmative action efforts, training and development programs, comparable worth pay systems, collective bargaining, and constitutional rights of employees. |
| 4171 | Public Policy and the Environment (4) Politics of human-environment relationships. Sustainability, biodiversity, population, consumption, technology, energy, water, resources, recycling, pollution, and urban systems. Cultural values, paradigm change, science, risk analysis, market pricing, competition of networks, and citizen action. Significant written assignment integrates theory and practice. |
| 4172 | Public Policy and Health (4) Research and reports on the development and administration of public policy with regard to medicine and health care; problems of organization and financing of health care services, health insurance, medical research, and health worker programs in the United States. |
| 4445 | Bureaucratic Politics and Administrative Law (4) Politics of bureaucracy, government regulations, administrative law, exploration of the content, and structure of public administration. Public finances, human resource management, workplace discrimination, ethics, regulation within institutions. Cross-listed with PUAD 4445. |
| 4861 | Politics of Budgeting (4) Politics and governmental budgeting; executive-legislative relationships, interest group activities, and citizen demands; the budget as an instrument for management, planning, and policy-making at federal, state, and local levels. |
| Comparative Government and Politics | |
| 3201 | Political Systems of Western Europe (4) The governments and politics of Great Britain, France, Germany, and other Western European nations. Development and expansion of the European Union. |
| 3204 | Political Systems of Asia (4) An analysis of politics in selected Asian countries. The degree of emphasis on particular countries and areas such as China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia varies. |
| 3222 | Government and Politics of Eastern and Central Europe (4) The politics of the formerly communist states of Eastern and Central Europe. Countries covered include Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, the Balkans and others. New democratic institutions and economic development. Links with Western Europe. |
| 3230 | Government and Politics in the Middle East (4) Introduction to the study of contemporary politics in the Middle East. Comparative approach, analyzing the political, social, religious and economic aspects of the area. |
| 3260 | Government and Politics of Africa South of the Sahara (4) The governments of the nations of Africa south of the Sahara, with special reference to comparative colonial policies, nationalist movements, political parties, and the problems of nation building; comparative economic systems and the role of the military. |
| 3280 | Political Systems of Latin America (4) Political development, instability, and revolution in a comparative framework. Case studies of political development in major countries; group conflicts, ideology, administrative problems, and the role of violence. |
| 3290 | Comparative Law (4) Examination of essential features of law and their impact upon society using a comparative method. Incorporation of comparative legal theory of various legal systems, and how legal institutions express diverse civilizations. |
| Public Law | |
| 3410 | Law and Society (4) Rise of the American legal system and evolution of values in the law. Courts in the political system and the policy impact of modern legal initiatives. |
| 3417 | Survey of American Law (4) The basic elements of the American legal system, its essential values, and its impact on society. Personal injury, contracts, criminal law, regulation, and international law. Emphasis on case law as the basis for exploring the legal system. |
| 3418 | U.S. Immigration Policy and Law (4) Development of U.S. immigration policy including theories, demographic trends, sources of immigration legislation, case law. Relationship of politics, policy, culture, social and economic status to racial and ethnic groups, women, and workers. |
| 3441 | American Constitutional Law I (4) The American Constitution as a model of government. The role of democracy, federalism, assumptions regarding human nature, citizenship, separation of powers, capitalism, and issues of empire building. |
| 3442 | American Constitutional Law II (4) The Bill of Rights as interpreted by Court decisions since its adoption. Topics include freedom of speech, religion, equal protection, and personal privacy. Emphasis on the relationship among rights, politics, judicial behavior and public policy. |
| 3460 | Environmental Law (4) Legislative, judicial, and administrative controls over public and private actions impacting on the environment. Examination of statutory, administrative, and judicial decisions relating to the environment and of government actors and agencies making these decisions. |
| 3470 | International Law (4) The rules that govern governments and world bodies. Includes treaties, law of the sea, environmental protection, use of force, terrorism, and markets. Focus on the movement toward global community. Not open to students with credit for POSC 3951. |
| 3503 | Philosophy of Law (4) (See PHIL 3503 for course description.) |
| 4445 | Bureaucratic Politics and Administrative Law (4) (See the "Public Policy and Administration" section for course description.) |
| International Relations | |
| 3500 | World Problems and Global Response (4) Arms control, human rights, development, debt, women's rights, world population, environmental protection, and technology transfers. Analysis of key actors (United Nations, specialized agencies, national governments, non-governmental organizations) and policy alternatives. Student opportunity to work with local organizations. |
| 3505 | American Foreign Policy (4) National security, economic and development assistance policies since World War II. Current policy choices and the constitutional conflict between Congress and the President. Role of the State Department, the military, the CIA, and non-governmental organizations (labor, business, and veterans). |
| 3508 | Politics of Filipino-American Relations (4) Filipino-American relations within the context of Filipino nationalism and America's rise as a superpower. |
| 3510 | War and Peace (4) Major power security concerns, regional alliances, and Third World countries. Analysis of nuclear, chemical, biological, and conventional arms proliferation and arms control. Military doctrine and weapons systems, conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and peace movements. Student opportunity to work with local organizations. |
| 3520 | International Relations (4) The conduct of relations among states. The international system, national power, sovereignty, nationalism, ideology; use of diplomacy, propaganda, economic influence, military force; problems of neocolonialism, multinational corporations, racial tensions, nuclear deterrence, war, the role of the United Nations. |
| 3521 | Politics of the Global Economy (4) International trade and development assistance. Focus on GATT, the World Trade Organization, the G7 nations, and the International Monetary Fund. Problems of transnational corporations, labor standards, and migration. Global liberalism compared with collectivist economies. Ecological, participatory, regional and nationalist challenges. |
| 3550 | The United Nations and World Community (4) Historical, institutional and theoretical background of the contemporary United Nations and related agencies; focus on participation of selected countries in the UN structure and operations with regard to current international problems and issues. May be repeated for credit by students participating in Model UN. |
| Political Theory | |
| 3703 | American Political Thought (4) Significant American political ideas and thinkers from the Pilgrims to the present. Includes, among others, Jefferson, Madison, Calhoun, King, and Gingrich. |
| 3704 | Marxism in Theory and Practice (4) The writings of Marx and the characteristics of Marxism in the 20th century. (Y) |
| 3711 | Greek, Roman and Medieval Political Thought (4) Major Western political ideas from the Greeks through the 15th century. Emphasis upon major political theorists in the development of classical Greek and Roman, Medieval Christian, and Renaissance political theory. |
| 3713 | Contemporary Political Thought (4) Major Western political ideas in the 19th and 20th centuries. Emphasis upon central figures in the development of Democratic, Marxist, Socialist, and various other contemporary bodies of political theory. |
| 3715 | The State and the Family (4) The relationship between the public and private spheres. The relationship between the state and family as perceived by political theorists. The home as a metaphor for public life; the patriarchal and other modes of government and the family; the interdependence of the family, the economy, and the state; the family as haven of resistance in a hostile political environment. Classical political theory texts and contemporary writings. |
| 3716 | Citizenship, Community, and Democratic Theory (4) The duties and rights of citizenship, personal and ethnic identities, and evolving democratic theory. Specific issues raised by contemporary politics: national service, immigration policy models of citizenship participation, dismantling the welfare state, utopian and contemporary notions of community, and affirmative action. Classical and contemporary texts. |
| General | |
| 3030 | The Study of Political Science (4) History and assumptions of political science as a field; basic skills and methodology; ethics in politics, administration and law; careers; personal learning goals; portfolios; Library tour. |
| 3898 | Cooperative Education (1-4) Supervised work experience in which student completes academic assignments integrated with off-campus paid or volunteer activities. May be repeated for up to 8 units. A maximum of 4 units will be accepted toward the Political Science major; a maximum of 4 units will be accepted toward the Political Science minor. Prerequisites: at least a 2.0 GPA; departmental approval of activity. |
| 3999 | Issues in Political Science (4) Readings, discussion, and research on contemporary and/or significant issues in political science. May be repeated for credit when content varies. |
| 4900 | Independent Study (1-4) |
| 4910 | Political Science Seminar (4) Contributions of natural and social science theories, methods, results for political science; scope and method of political science; individual research on selected topics. Open to seniors only. Registration priority given to political science majors and minors. Prerequisite: POSC 3030. |
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Last Updated: May 19, 2008