Political Science

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Associate in Arts

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Political Science

Political Science Course Descriptions

Dean:   Dr. Chuck Wilson

Curriculum Pathway Leading to an Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences for Students Seeking a Transfer Degree to a 4-Year Institution.

Political science is an integral part of social science. Over three thousand years ago, Aristotle declared that "politics is the master science upon which all of civilization depends". The truth of this assumption simply lies in the fact that political science is all about public power-how it is acquired and in whose interest it is used. Power is like a loaded gun, a lethal weapon that must be carefully guarded, lest it falls into the wrong hands. The discipline of political science is a systematic effort at creating a responsible attitude about the use of public power as a force for good. Political science is aimed at inculcating the appropriate level of awareness of citizenship rights and responsibilities in a way that monitors the use of public power for the overall interest of the society. A political science major is an excellent preparation for careers in government and politics, campaign co-ordination and consultancy, diplomacy or foreign affairs, law, education, military, community development, human relations, labor relations, public administration, etc.

General Education Requirements

College Requirement
- All first time degree-seeking students who score 75 or above on the ACCUPLACER reading exam are required to take HUDV0100, Freshman Orientation (1 credit hour). All degree-seeking students who score below 75 on the ACCUPLACER reading exam will take HUDV 101, Strategies for Academic Excellence/Lifelong Learning (2 credit hours). (See exemptions)

 

Course Number Course Title Hours
Basic Skill Requirements
ENGL 101 Composition I 3
ENGL 102 Composition II* 3
SPCH 151
SPCH 153
Public Speaking or
Interpersonal Communication
3
Total 9
Mathematics Requirements
MATH 105
MATH 115
College Algebra or
Statistics*
3-5
Total 3-5

Humanities Requirements
(9 credit hours from at least 3 disciplines including:
Art, History, Literature, Modern Language, Music, Philosophy or Theatre)

HIST 104
HIST 105
United States to 1877 or
United States Since 1877
3
PHIL 103
PHIL 206
Introduction to Philosophy or
Ethics
3
 

Humanities Core Elective
(from Art, Literature, Music or Theatre) Performance courses are excluded

3
Total 9

Social and Behavioral Science Requirements
(6 credit hours from at least
2 disciplines including: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology)

POSC 102
POSC 111
International Relations/Foreign Policy or
American Government
3
PSYC 101
SOSC 107
Psychology or
Sociology
3
Total 6
Natural and Physical Science Requirements
(lecture with lab)
Natural and Physical Science Core Elective 5
Total 5
Foreign Language Requirements
  Foreign Language Core elective 5
Total 5
Total General Education Requirements 38-41
Choose 19-23 additional credits:
HIST 105 World Civilization I 3
HIST 106

World Civilization II

3
HIST 112

Modern Latin America

3
HIST 204

Western Civilization I

3
HIST 205

Western Civilization II

3
POSC 101 Introduction to Political Science 3
POSC 112 State and Local Government 3
POSC 245 Introduction to Public Administration 3
Total 19-23

Total hours required for an Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Political Science Degree

60-64

*See course description for prerequisite.