Political Science

Courses

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POL SCI 1 Introduction to American Politics 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Fall 2019, Summer 2019 Second 6 Week Session, Spring 2019
An introductory analysis of the structure and operations of the American political system, primarily at the national level.
Introduction to American Politics: Read More [+]

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Summer:
6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 4 hours of discussion per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.

Introduction to American Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI N1AC Introduction to American Politics 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 Second 6 Week Session
Politics is the art and noise of collective governance under conditions of scarce resources, conflicting interests, diverse beliefs, uncertain outcomes, and unequal power. In 1AC, we learn about the institutions, ideologies, and processes that constitute politics in the U.S. In fulfilling the AC requirement, we further examine how power, equality, and diversity are configured and contested in our politics. The course emphasizes active research- and group-based learning.
Introduction to American Politics: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Credit Restrictions: POL SCI N1AC will still fulfill all the requirements that PS1 fulfills (e.g., major, American Institutions) but now also fulfills the "American Cultures" campus requirement. <BR/><BR/>Students who wish to repeat PS1 and replace their grade must specifically retake PS1, not PS N1AC. PS N1AC will not replace the grade for PS1.

Requirements this course satisfies: Satisfies the American Cultures and American Institutions requirements.

Hours & Format

Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.

Introduction to American Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 2 Introduction to Comparative Politics 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
This course aims to furnish students with the tools needed to study politics and society in comparative perspective. The first part of the course introduces concepts and methods of comparative analysis and examines core assumptions about human nature that underpin social scientists’thinking. The second part investigates the variety of political regimes under which people live around the world. Third, we will consider the factors that influence which type of political regime prevails in particular national settings. The fourth section focuses on economic development. Attendance at lecture and discussion section required.
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Rules & Requirements

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Political Science 2 after taking Political Science N2. A deficient grade in Political Science N2 may be removed by taking Political Science<BR/>2.

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 4.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.

Introduction to Comparative Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI N2 Introduction to Comparative Politics 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Summer 2018 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session
This course aims to furnish students with the tools necessary to study political processes and outcomes in comparative perspective. It is divided into three parts. The first introduces the basic concepts and methods of comparative analysis and examines our principal unit of analysis: the state. The second surveys the range of political regimes under which people live around the world. The third examines three key variables that both influence political outcomes and are influenced by political processes: institutions, identity, and agency. Throughout the course we will use a wide variety of country examples, but will not focus exclusively on any particular set of countries.
Introduction to Comparative Politics: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Political Science N2 after taking Political Science 2. Students will receive no credit for Political Science 2 after completing<BR/>Political Science N2. A deficient grade in Political Science 2 may be removed by taking Political Science N2.

Hours & Format

Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.

Introduction to Comparative Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 3 Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2017
Analytical and methodological problems of political inquiry, with an emphasis on quantification and measurement.
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Rules & Requirements

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Political Science 3 after completing Political Science N3. A deficient grade in Political Science N3 may be removed by taking Political Science<BR/>3. <BR/>

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.

Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods: Read Less [-]

POL SCI N3 Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Summer 2018 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2017 First 6 Week Session
Analytical and methodological problems of political inquiry, with an emphasis on quantification and measurement.
Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Political Science N3 after completing Political Science 3. Students will receive no credit for Political Science 3 after completing Political Science N3.A deficient grade in Political Science 3 may be removed by taking Political Science N3.

Hours & Format

Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.

Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods: Read Less [-]

POL SCI W3 Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods, 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Summer 2019 8 Week Session
This course provides an overview of some of the methods employed in political science research. Its purpose is to familiarize you with the scientific study of politics, and to teach you how to pose and answer
empirical research questions using appropriate evidence and arguments. Along the way we will learn about how to formulate and evaluate theories, how to design research to discover whether a
particular theory holds up empirically, and some basic research strategies. By the end of the course you should have the tools to critically evaluate the kinds of social science arguments found in everyday life and be able to conduct your own independent research.
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Objectives & Outcomes

Course Objectives: After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

* Distinguish among different types of social science methodologies
* Solve basic 2x2 games
* Describe the logic of the experimental method
* Interpret basic descriptive statistical results
* Formulate and test hypotheses
* Explain and apply bivariate OLS regression

Rules & Requirements

Prerequisites: There are no prior course requirements other than high school level mathematics

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Political Science W3 after completing Political Science 3 or Political Science N3. A deficient grade in Political Science 3 or POL SCI N3 may be removed by taking Political Science W3.

Hours & Format

Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of web-based lecture and 2 hours of web-based discussion per week

Online: This is an online course.

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.

Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods,: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 4 Introduction to Political Theory 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Spring 2017
An approach to the understanding of politics through the perspectives and language of the political theorist.
Introduction to Political Theory: Read More [+]

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.

Introduction to Political Theory: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 5 Introduction to International Relations 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2017
This course is designed to introduce students to the major theoretical approaches to international politics, to explore important historical and contemporary questions and debates in international affairs, and to teach students to think critically about international relations. It is a prerequisite for most upper division international relations courses in Political Science.
Introduction to International Relations: Read More [+]

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-3 hours of lecture and 1-2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.

Introduction to International Relations: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 18AC Race, Culture, and Politics in the Golden State 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Summer 2001 10 Week Session, Summer 2000 10 Week Session, Summer 1999 10 Week Session
This course will study the historical processes of racial formation and transformation in California. Students will develop an understanding of the dynamic nature of racial and ethnic cultures and identities, and use these tools to better understand their own cultural position. Two periods are studied: 1848-1882 and 1964-1988. The course will consider the experiences of Asian Americans, Chicano/Latinos, African Americans, European Americans, and Native Americans.
Race, Culture, and Politics in the Golden State: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Requirements this course satisfies: Satisfies the American Cultures requirement

Hours & Format

Summer: 6 weeks - 6 hours of lecture per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.

Race, Culture, and Politics in the Golden State: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 39B Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 2 - 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Fall 2009, Fall 2008, Spring 2006
Freshman and sophomore seminars offer lower division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester.
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Rules & Requirements

Prerequisites: Priority given to freshmen and sophomores

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-4 hours of seminar per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered. Final exam required.

Freshman/Sophomore Seminar: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 41 Freshman Seminar 4 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Fall 2010, Fall 2007, Fall 2005
Topics, experimental in nature, will vary from year to year.
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Rules & Requirements

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: Course may be repeated for credit with consent of department.

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered. Final exam not required.

Freshman Seminar: Read Less [-]

POL SCI C79 Societal Risks and the Law 3 Units [+]Expand course description

Terms offered: Spring 2013
Defining, perceiving, quantifying and measuring risk; identifying risks and estimating their importance; determining whether laws and regulations can protect us from these risks; examining how well existing laws work and how they could be improved; evaluting costs and benefits. Applications may vary by term. This course cannot be used to complete engineering unit or technical elective requirements for students in the College of Engineering.
Societal Risks and the Law: Read More [+]

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam not required.

Also listed as: COMPSCI C79/STAT C79

Societal Risks and the Law: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 98 Directed Group Study for Lower Division Students g4...