Political Science (POLS) Courses
POLS 301 Introduction to Government: United States
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(a); CSU Area D8; CSU Area U2; CSU Area U3; IGETC Area 4H
- C-ID:C-ID POLS 110
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course analyzes the U.S. government's historic origins, philosophical and theoretical justification, federal structure, and constitutional structures. The course studies the rights and liberties of individuals as articulated in the U.S. Constitution and federal court decisions. Further, it examines and describes the procedural aspects of the U.S. and California political systems including amending the U.S. and California constitutions, holding elections, campaigning, legislating, executing and adjudicating law. The course examines individual and group political behavior in voting, interest groups, political parties, and the media. It provides an analysis of contemporary problems and issues and looks at factors that shape politics and policy-making including diversity, political culture, political socialization, political ideologies, and public opinion. Finally, it also describes California state and local governments' constitutional base, structures and functions, political process, problems and issues, and federal-state relations. This course is not open to students who have completed POLS 481.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- describe the nature of government and its theoretical foundations and functions.
- relate American political thought, the Constitution, and governing institutions to one another.
- identify and explain the structures and functions of the United States and California governments prescribed by their respective constitutions.
- compare and contrast the federal, state and local governments with respect to their political foundations, functions, and contemporary problems.
- explain the civil liberties and civil rights of individuals as articulated in the United States Constitution and federal court decisions.
- identify and evaluate political processes within the United States and California, including the development of political ideologies, voting behavior and other forms of political participation.
- evaluate the relationship between the governing process and public policy at both the state and federal level.
- discuss and analyze contemporary political issues and operations in the United States and California.
- analyze the role of culture, diversity, and ideology in shaping public opinion and public policy in the United States and California.
POLS 302 Comparative Politics
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D8; IGETC Area 4H
- C-ID:C-ID POLS 130
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course is a comparative study and analysis of political systems, ideologies, institutions, policies, cultures, histories, and the development of government within various countries. It emphasizes the cultural and social dimensions of political behavior and attitudes in connection with governmental and political practices typical of particular geographical regions. It also covers an examination of selected developed and lesser developed nation-states from a global perspective.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- compare and contrast different political systems, regimes, and ideologies.
- evaluate patterns of political behavior and policy choice.
- assess how regime type and the design of political institutions and processes affect policy, economic development, and political stability.
- examine how citizen and interest group participation influence political systems.
- analyze the role of political culture and its influence on political institutions and political behavior.
- explain the origins of the modern state and evaluate characteristics necessary for state formation.
- identify different relationships between states and markets.
- construct questions, theories, and hypotheses of political behavior.
- assess the impact of the relationship between states and markets on economic development.
POLS 304 Introduction to Government: California
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(a); CSU Area D8; CSU Area U3; IGETC Area 4H
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course covers the essential organization, institutions, and processes of California state and local government. It fulfills the California State University requirement for state and local government, but not the requirement for the U.S. Constitution.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- assess the relationship between citizens and the state of California with emphasis on the impacts of cultural, economic, political, and social diversity.
- compare and contrast the structure of California government and the federal model.
- describe the various institutions of California government and how each functions in the policymaking process.
- analyze the effects of structural differences between the federal model and the structure of California government institutions on the policy making process and political behavior.
- examine public financing in California and analyze the interconnectedness of federal, state, and local budgets.
- compare and contrast the California and U.S. Constitutions and the effect of these differences on policy making, civil rights and liberties, and political behavior.
- analyze public opinion and the political behavior of California citizens.
POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D8; IGETC Area 4H
- C-ID:C-ID POLS 140
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course introduces the academic field of International Relations. It surveys global issues as they relate to theories of international relations, the nation-state system, the role of state and non-state actors, globalization, armed conflict and its causes, international law and conflict resolution, and international political economy. It emphasizes comparing global perspectives among developed and developing nations. This course is not open to students who have completed POLS 480.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- explain the field of international relations and methods associated with research in the field.
- compare and contrast different theoretical approaches to the study of international relations and the roles they play in understanding the international system.
- analyze the evolution of the nation-state system and issues associated with nation-state actors in the international system.
- identify the global south, its experiences, challenges, and responses to world powers.
- analyze the causes and trends of armed conflicts, their resolution, and the causes of international conflict in the 20th Century and 21st Century.
- assess the potential for international law and its use for preservation of world peace and stability.
- critique contending international political economic theories in a changing global economy.
- define key terms used in the study of International Relations.
- research topics related to International Relations issues and principles while demonstrating critical thinking.
POLS 320 Introduction to Political Theory
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D8; IGETC Area 4H
- C-ID:C-ID POLS 120
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course is a survey of the ideas that have shaped Western political development, covering important thinkers from the ancient, medieval, and modern periods. Topics include theories of just and unjust societies, social contract theory, justifications for government authority, and the rights of citizens versus the responsibilities of citizenship.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- explain arguments made by political philosophers from different periods of history.
- assess the historical development of ideas regarding just and unjust regimes, government authority, the ends of civil society and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
- critique arguments made by political philosophers from different periods of history.
- compare and contrast various conceptions of just and unjust regimes, justifications for government authority, the ends of civil society, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
- construct theoretical insights into the current problems facing governments and societies.
POLS 330 Constitutional Rights
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D8; IGETC Area 4
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course is a survey of American constitutional rights and civil liberties. Emphasis is placed on analysis of U.S. Supreme Court decisions and related materials dealing with issues arising under the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- analyze the philosophical bases for constitutional protection of certain human rights.
- compare and contrast various approaches to judicial interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.
- evaluate the current status of constitutional rights as reflected in United States Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Fourteenth Amendment and U.S. law.
- evaluate the current status of constitutional liberties as reflected in U.S. Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Bill of Rights and U.S. law.
POLS 342 Women and Politics from a Global Perspective
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D4; CSU Area D8; IGETC Area 4D; IGETC Area 4H
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course examines the impact of politics on women's lives and women's impact on politics from a global perspective. It explores past and current influences on the political and legal status of women as well as women’s participation in the political process throughout the world.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- assess the impact women have had on political institutions, social movements, interest groups, and revolutions.
- evaluate the impact that public policy has on women's lives.
- explain the importance of studying the roles of women in politics globally.
- identify similarities and differences in women's reasons for political organizing, as well as their choice of tactics and methods.
- construct questions, theories, and hypotheses related to the impact of women on politics.
- explain the rationale for state public policies regarding women.
- analyze the current status of women in the developing world.
- compare the different issues that impact women in the developing world to those in the advanced industrial world.
POLS 480 Introduction to International Relations - Honors
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:Placement into ENGWR 480 through the assessment process.
- Advisory:ENGWR 300 or 480
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
- C-ID:C-ID POLS 140
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course examines global issues as they relate to theories of international relations, the nation-state system, the role of state and non-state actors, globalization, armed conflict and its causes, international law and conflict resolution, and international political economy. Emphasis is placed on the comparison of global perspectives among developed and developing nations. This seminar-style honors course approaches the topical material through class discussion which encourages problem-solving techniques focusing on current international relations issues. This course is not open to students who have completed POLS 310.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- explain the field of international relations and methods associated with research in the field.
- compare and contrast different theoretical approaches to the study of international relations and the roles they play in understanding the international system.
- analyze the evolution of the nation-state system and issues associated with nation-state actors in the international system.
- identify the developing world, its experiences, and challenges.
- analyze the causes and trends of armed conflicts, their resolution, and the causes of international conflict in the 20th Century and 21st Century.
- assess the potential for international law and its use for preservation of world peace and stability.
- critique contending international political economic theories in a changing global economy.
- define and compare key terms used in the study of International Relations.
- analyze complex readings and processes as they apply to contemporary issues in International Relations.
- hypothesize the conditions under which various international relations outcomes are likely to occur and provide theoretical explanations for said outcomes.
POLS 481 Introduction to Government: United States - Honors
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:Placement into ENGWR 300.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(a); CSU Area D; CSU Area U2; CSU Area U3; IGETC Area 4H
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course analyzes the U.S. government's historic origins, philosophical and theoretical justification, constitutional structures and how these institutions work. It examines and describes the procedural aspects of the political system including holding elections, campaigning, voting, lobbying, legislating, executing and adjudicating law. It provides an analysis of contemporary problems and issues. It also describes California state and local governments' constitutional base, structures and functions, political process, problems and issues. Conducted in a seminar format, this course emphasizes participatory classroom styles of learning and the material used is more substantial and sophisticated. In addition, there are extensive research projects on American institutions, political processes, and political behavior designed to challenge and motivate. This course is not open to students who have completed POLS 301.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- describe the nature of government and its theoretical foundations and functions.
- relate American political thought, the Constitution, and governing institutions to one another.
- identify and explain the structures and functions of the United States and California governments prescribed by their respective constitutions.
- compare and contrast the federal, state and local governments with respect to their political foundations, functions, and contemporary problems.
- explain the civil liberties and civil rights of individuals as articulated in the United States Constitution and federal court decisions.
- identify and evaluate political processes within the United States and California, including the development of political ideologies, voting behavior and other forms of political participation.
- evaluate the relationship between the governing process and public policy at both the state and federal level.
- discuss and analyze contemporary political issues and operations in the United States and California.
- analyze the role of culture, diversity, and ideology in shaping public opinion and public policy in the United States and California.
- analyze complex readings and processes as they apply to contemporary issues in American Politics.
- hypothesize the conditions under which various political outcomes are likely to occur and provide theoretical explanations for said outcomes.
POLS 494 Topics in Political Science
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Hours:9 - 54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:ENGRD 116, or placement through the assessment process.; ENGWR 102 or 103, and ENGRD 116 with a grade of "C" or better; OR ESLR 320 and ESLW 320 with a grade of "C" or better; OR placement through assessment process.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course provides the opportunity for concentrated study of specialized topics in Political Science. Each offering focuses on a discrete aspect of the Political Science discipline. Refer to class schedule for class topic. Individual field trips may be required.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- identify and explain key political processes covered in the course
- assess the relationship between individuals, governmental actors, and the topic covered
- evaluate the the relationship between the governing process and the topic covered
- analyze the impact of the topic covered on the political system under analysis
POLS 495 Independent Studies in Political Science
- Units:1 - 3
- Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
Independent Study is an opportunity for the student to extend classroom experience in this subject, while working independently of a formal classroom situation. Independent study is an extension of work offered in a specific class in the college catalog. To be eligible for independent study, students must have completed the basic regular catalog course at American River College. They must also discuss the study with a professor in this subject and secure approval. Only one independent study for each catalog course will be allowed.
POLS 499 Experimental Offering in Political Science
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the experimental courses description.
