The goal of the Political Science Program at Citrus College is to prepare students to develop a fundamental understanding of the systematic study of theories, institutions, and processes related to the distribution of power and its use in the maintenance of order and promotion of equality and justice. The core courses in the Political Science major will introduce students to the fields in the discipline:
- Political Theory, which includes the study of major philosophic works related to power and politics;
- American Government, which studies institutions and linkage organizations that characterize government in the United States;
- Comparative Politics, which studies the political systems of other countries and exposure to the comparative method;
- International Relations, which analyzes phenomena related to the interaction between sovereign states and other actors in the international system.
The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree (AA-T) prepares students to continue their education at a four-year institution leading to a baccalaureate degree. Successful completion of the transfer degree in Political Science guarantees the student acceptance to a local California State University. Students who complete this degree may also seek to continue their education at the University of California or other baccalaureate degree granting institutions, although admission is not guaranteed.
A.A.-Transfer Degree Level Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Political Science A.A.-Transfer Degree will:
- Demonstrate an ability to write clearly and accurately about social scientific phenomena related to political science using collegiate level grammar, vocabulary, and logic.
- Demonstrate an understanding of historical foundations, political institutions, and processes involved in the distribution and use of power in politics.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic research methods, qualitative and quantitative, used in the study of political science as preparation for upper-division work.
Students receiving this transfer degree must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
- The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).
- A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
- Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
- Meet the 12-unit residency requirement.
ADTs also require that students must earn a "C" (or "P") or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| or POLS C1000H | American Government and Politics - Honors | |
| POLI 105 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLI 108 | Political Theory | 3 |
| POLI 116 | International Relations | 3 |
| Select two (2) of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 | |
or ANTH 210H | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - Honors | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 3 | |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | |
or ECON C2002H | Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors | |
| Cultural Geography | 3 | |
| History of World Civilization up to 1500 C.E. | 3 | |
or HIST 103H | History of World Civilization up to 1500 C.E./Honors | |
| History of World Civilization since 1500 | 3 | |
| United States History to 1877 | 3 | |
or HIST C1001H | United States History to 1877 - Honors | |
| United States History since 1865 | 3 | |
or HIST C1002H | United States History since 1865 - Honors | |
| The World in Conflict - The 20th Century, a History | 3 | |
| Humanities - Prehistory through the Medieval Period | 3 | |
or HUM 101H | Humanities - Prehistory through the Medieval Period - Honors | |
| Humanities from the Renaissance through the 19th Century | 3 | |
| Humanities in the Modern Period | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
or PHIL 106H | Introduction to Philosophy - Honors | |
| Total Units | 18 | |
2-Year Curriculum Map Example
This map represents one possible pathway through the program and is only for reference.
*It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing or Academic Reading and Writing or Academic Reading and Writing - Honors | 4-5 |
| STAT C1000 or STAT C1000H | Introduction to Statistics or Introduction to Statistics - Honors | 4 |
| HIST C1001 | United States History to 1877 or United States History to 1877 - Honors or United States History since 1865 or United States History since 1865 - Honors | 3 |
| POLS C1000 or POLS C1000H | American Government and Politics or American Government and Politics - Honors | 3 |
| UC/CSU Elective | 3 | |
| Units | 17-18 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| POLI 105 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Cal-GETC Area 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition | 4 | |
| Cal-GETC Area 1C: Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Cal-GETC Area 5A: Physical Science with Lab | 4 | |
| UC/CSU Elective | 3 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| HIST 103 or HIST 103H or HIST 104 or ECON C2001 or ECON C2002 or ECON C2002H or GEOG 102 or HUM 101 or HUM 102 or HUM 110 | History of World Civilization up to 1500 C.E. or History of World Civilization up to 1500 C.E./Honors or History of World Civilization since 1500 or Principles of Microeconomics or Principles of Macroeconomics or Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors or Cultural Geography or Humanities - Prehistory through the Medieval Period or Humanities from the Renaissance through the 19th Century or Humanities in the Modern Period | 3 |
| POLI 108 | Political Theory | 3 |
| Cal-GETC Area 3A: Arts | 3 | |
| Cal-GETC Area 5B: Biological Science without Lab | 3 | |
| UC/CSU Elective | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| POLI 116 | International Relations | 3 |
| UC/CSU Elective | 3 | |
| UC/CSU Elective | 3 | |
| UC/CSU Elective | 3 | |
| Units | 12 | |
| Total Units | 61-62 | |
Please make an appointment with a counselor to select elective courses and create a Student Educational Plan. Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADTs) are designed for transfer to the California State University (CSU) system. Additional coursework may be needed for students planning to transfer to the University of California (UC), independent or private institutions, or out-of-state colleges or universities.
Career Opportunities
There are a variety of careers you can do with this major.
To explore more about this major, schedule an appointment with a career counselor.