Political Science
Description and Goals
The primary objectives of the Political Science program are to meet general education
requirements for American Institutions and Social Sciences for the associate degree
and to complete general education requirements for baccalaureate degrees. Political
science is the study of human behavior as it relates to political situations. It involves
the examination of institutions, processes, people, ideas and policies. The study
of political science develops cultural literacy, critical thinking and other useful
skills.
San Diego City College offers four courses in Political Science: Political Science
101, 102, 103 and 140. Completion of Political Science 101, 102 and 103 provides the
student with lower division preparation for a baccalaureate degree in Political Science
at San Diego State University.
The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer Degree is intended for students
who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in Political Science or a related major in
the California State University (CSU) system. It is accepted by some but not all CSU
campuses. Students who complete this degree and transfer to a participating CSU campus
will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s
degree. It may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus
that does not accept the degree. Students who plan to complete this degree should
consult a counselor for additional information about participating CSU campuses as
well as university admission, degree, and transfer requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion the student will be able to:
- Critically analyze the study of human behavior as it relates to political situations in college-level essays, written assignments, and research papers.
- Identify and describe main concepts in the study of political science including, but not limited to, political power, sovereignty, nation-state; legitimacy; authority, political culture, political socialization, political ideology; social contract; separation of powers; federalism; unitary system; rule of law and globalization.
Career Options
Most careers in political science require education beyond the associate degree and some require a graduate degree. This is not a comprehensive list but some of the most common career options with political science preparation include: public administrator, budget analyst, city planner, diplomatic corps member, elected official, legislative aide, journalist, lawyer, lobbyist, political scientist, public opinion surveyor, teacher and writer.
Award Type / Common University Majors
Certificate of Achievement - Public Administration
Associate of Arts Degree - Political Science
Course Catalog Description
Click here for course description from Catalog
SD City College Political Science Alum: Transfer Success
By offering an inclusive community with qualified teachers, San Diego City College has provided me with an environment where I have been able to exceed past my own academic expectations. During my time at SDCC, I noticed that I've become a more logical person, with more developed critical thinking skills. Taking political science classes in particular have provided me with the most amount of personal growth. My classes with Masahiro Omae and Nick Boushee have vastly altered the way that I make decisions, consume information, and construct an argument. In addition, my teachers at San Diego City College were able to provide me with the valuable skills and resources needed to thrive at a four-year university after obtaining my Associate's Degree.
-Cole Reed
I graduated from San Diego City College in May 2017. I was admitted to every UC campus that I applied to, including UC Berkeley and UCLA. I decided to attend UCLA and my major is Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. I really enjoyed my time with the Political Science Department at City College because of the opportunities the department offered outside of lecture such as guest speakers and viewing parties for the presidential debates. Professors Omae and Boushee, really prepare their students to succeed after transfer in their approach to teaching their intellectually robust and rigorous courses. I believe that they're both are uniquely qualified to teach the material, given that both have their PhD's and their instructional background from the University of California. Additionally, both professors are very approachable and knowledgeable about undergraduate and graduate educational paths. I never felt like I struggled in silence and the faculty in the political science department would be the first faculty members that I would go to for advice.
-Trevor Sepulvida
Full-time Faculty
Nicholas Boushee, Ph.D. (American politics & Mass Political Behavior).
Masahiro Omae, Ph.D. (International Relations & Comparative Politics).
Adjunct Faculty
Mark Linsky [email protected]
John Mercurio [email protected]
Michael Mousseau [email protected]