Course Descriptions

 

LOWER DIVISION

PSCI 104. People & Politics (3). Philosophical and historical foundations of the concept of politi- cal community. Contemporary issues confronting people as members of the political community. [D-LD.]

PSCI 110. American Government (3). Political values, institutions, and patterns of influence in law and governance, including relations among the nation, tribes, and the state of California. Meets re- quirement in “US Constitution and California state and local government” established by  legislature.

PSCI 159. California Government (3). Political process, institutions, governmental units. Current problems and political controversies. Meets re- quirement in “US Constitution and California state and local government” established by legislature.

PSCI 160. California Institutions (1). Political process, institutions, governmental units in Califor- nia. Current problems and political controversies. Meets requirement in “California state and local government” established by legislature. [Prereq: AP/CLEP exam or out-of-state transfer credit that, although equivalent to a U.S. government course, lacks the state’s California sgovernment component. CR/NC.]

PSCI 220. Introduction to Political Theory (3). Key political concepts including freedom, equality, justice, and democracy critically examined through the writing of influential western thinkers from Plato to present. Required for political science majors.

PSCI 230. Introduction to Comparative Politics (3). Comparison of political institutions, parties, elections, movements, policies, and issues of countries other than the United States. Basic concepts and methods of the subfield. Required for political science majors.

PSCI 235 / ANTH 235 / COMM 235 / CRGS 235 /SOC 235. Act to End Sexualized Violence (1). Analyze how sexualized violence impacts com- munities and operates as social control; learn to recognize victim-blaming, promote survivor- centered responses, foreground enthusiastic consent, and take action to transform our campus community. [CR/NC]

PSCI 240. Introduction to International Rela- tions (3). Examination of institutional, economic, security, and environmental relations between and among nations. Basic concepts, theory and meth- ods of the subfield. Required for political science majors.

PSCI 280. Core Discussion Seminar (1). This course is designed as a supplement to the core courses of the major (PSCI 220, PSCI 230, and PSCI 240). Format is seminar and discussion. Oral and writing skills included. [Need to take corre- sponding core course concurrently. Rep 3 times.]

PSCI 295. Political Research & Analysis (4). Research and analysis skills, both qualitative and quantitative, of political science as a discipline.

 

UPPER DIVISION

PSCI 303. Third World Politics (3). Examina- tion of the politics of inequality and power in devel- oping countries from historical, economic, social, cultural, and international perspectives. [DCG-n. D-UD.]

PSCI 306. Environmental Politics (3). Exam- ines issues, movements, and controversies at bioregional, national, and global levels. Analyzes the political decision-making process and imple- mentation of environmental policy. [D-UD.]

PSCI 306M. Environmental Politics – Majors Research Seminar (1). Students will conduct in- dependent research on environmental politics and present their findings. Course required for majors completing concentration in politics of environ- ment and sustainability [Coreq: PSCI 306.]

PSCI 313. Politics of Criminal Justice (4). An- alysis of political forces driving criminal justice systems in US. Emphasis placed on criminal justice policy and policy implementation and the impact of criminal justice policy on society.

PSCI 317. Public Policy Process (4). This course addresses the policy process and contemporary policy issues and at national and/or state level.

PSCI 323. Topics in Political Theory (4). In-depth exploration of important concepts or movements in political thought. Topics vary; consult current class schedule. [Rep up to 8 units.]

PSCI 324/HIST 324. The Arab-Israeli Conflict: History, Narratives & Nationalism (4). Traces the history and politics of the Arab-Israeli conflict from its earliest days. Explains events and narra- tives that shaped this longstanding conflict, while also analyzing U.S. involvement in it. [Sophomore standing or greater.]

PSCI 327. Radical Political Thought (4). Critical examination of Marxist and other radical critiques of liberal democracy that have been in- fluential over the past century.

PSCI 330. Political Regimes & Political Change (4). Advanced study of comparative politics in regional context of Latin America, Africa, Europe, Middle East, or Asia. Topics vary; consult current class schedule. [Rep.]

PSCI 340. Ethnicity & Nationalism (4). Com- parative study of ethnic identity and conflict, nationalism and responses of states and the international community. Regions and cases vary with instructor.

PSCI 343. Global Governance (4). Analysis of the processes and politics of global governance with an emphasis on nonstate actors, intergov- ernmental organizations, and international institu- tions.

PSCI 347. US Foreign Policy (4). Theoretical approaches; major problems. Procedures, inter- ests, purposes, and group pressures.

PSCI 350. U.S. National Politics (4). This course addresses how the legislative, executive, and judi- cial branches operate and the current governing challenges facing the national government in the United States.

PSCI 352. Water Politics (4). Water-related political and legal issues. Emphasis on conflict and cooperation in the distribution and allocation of water resources. May focus on local, state, re- gional, national and/or international issues.

PSCI 354. Media and Public Opinion (4). This course focuses on how media and strategic communication shape public opinion and political outcome.

PSCI 358. Political Advocacy (4). This course addresses the role of individual and group political actors such as interest groups, political parties, and social movements in the US political system and how each advocates for political change.

PSCI 360. Political Economy (4). Examination of the politics of economic actors, decision making, policies, and issues at local, national and/or inter- national levels. Focus may vary with instructor. [Rep with IA.]

PSCI 364. Technology & Development (4). Political and social role of technology in Third World development. Relation to theories and concepts, such as science, democracy and in- equality, and to actors, such as women and farm- ers.

PSCI 365 / GEOG 365. Political Ecology (4). Combines elements of human ecology and political economy to examine environmental degradation, conflict, and conservation. Examines social move- ments and community responses to environmen- tal change.

PSCI 371. Experiential Workshop (1-4). Par- ticipation in and reflection on academic or profes- sional conferences or other experiential learning activities. [Rep.]

PSCI 373. Politics of Sustainability (4). Ex- amine diverse views of concepts such as democ- racy, liberty, justice, and nature as a response to political challenges of sustainability and unsustainability. Role of states, technology, mar- kets, and culture.

PSCI 376. Multilateralism and the United Na- tions System (2). The dynamics of multilateral diplomacy and international relations with an em- phasis on the United Nations and its subsidiary and ancillary organizations.

PSCI 377. Model United Nations (1). Delegate preparation for and participation in intercollegiate Model UN, emphasizing the art of lobbying, nego- tiation, bargaining, and international diplomacy. [Prereq or coreq: PSCI 376. Rep twice.]

PSCI 381S. Community Leadership in Action (1). Facilitate involvement in equity arcata. Pro- mote civic engagement, work towards racial equity in health, housing, education, and employment, and participate in creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive campus and community for all. [Rep.]

PSCI 387 / ANTH 387 / COMM 387 / ECON 387 / GEOG 387 / HIST 387 / INTL 387. International Education Colloquium (1). Earn credit by attending International Education Week events and participating in an online discussion forum. Mandatory pre-event meeting. [CR/NC. Rep once.]

PSCI 410. U.S. Constitutional Law (4). Major Su- preme Court cases reveal values in interpretation of laws. Powers of the nation, states, tribes and civil liberties and civil rights. Meets requirement in “US Constitution and California state and local government” established by California legislature. [Prereq: PSCI 110 or PSCI 159.]

PSCI 412. Legal Research (4). Principles and research procedures in California/federal case law, statutory law, and codes. Computerized legal research; legal citation and writing.

PSCI 413. Moot Court (3). Students will learn and prepare appellate arguments in two-person teams for hypothetical cases to be argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court [Prereq: PSCI 410 or PSCI 412 and junior standing or greater.]

PSCI 441. International Law (4). Its nature and substance. Legal history: cases, treaties, and other international documents.

PSCI 480. Seminar in Political Science (4). Topics in political theory, international relations, American politics, or comparative politics. [Prereq: upper division standing or IA. Rep with IA.]

PSCI 482. Internship (3). Field observation; placement in a public or private nonprofit agency. [Prereq: IA. Rep twice.]

PSCI 485. Capstone Seminar in Politics (4). Seminar topic varies each semester. Format emphasizes critical analysis, class presentations, and a substantial research paper. Integration of concepts and skills from previous courses in the major. [Prereq: PSCI 220, PSCI 230, PSCI 240,

PSCI 295. Rep with IA.]

PSCI 491. Mentoring (1-4). Advanced majors gain experience as teaching assistants working with a diverse body of students. [Prereq: IA. Rep.]

PSCI 495. Field Research (1-4). Field investiga- tion of current phenomena, including issues and political behavior. [Rep with IA.]

PSCI 499. Directed Study (1-4). Selected problems. [Open to advanced students with IA. Rep with IA.]