Political Science Classes Completed
All class descriptions are provided by the 2015-2017 Catalog, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.
Introduction to International Relations
Introduction to the basic concepts, issues, and theories surrounding the study of international politics. Changes in the nature of conflict, power, and national interests in the post-Cold War era. Role of states, non-governmental actors, and international organizations in the global arena.
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Introduction to basic concepts, issues, methodology, and theories in comparative politics. Major issues/theories include electoral laws and party systems, parliamentary and presidential institutions, socialization, democratization, corporatism and pluralism, religious and cultural impacts on politics. Topics explored through politics of countries and regions throughout the world.
Basic Concepts of Political Thought
Introduction to political theory. Focuses on concepts like: authority, liberty, equality, law, justice, community, rights, citizenship, property, class conflict, and constitutionalism. Readings from major thinkers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, Marx, Nietzsche, Rawls, and others.
Global Political Issues
Concepts and theories in international relations and contemporary global issues. Application of principles of international relations to political issues and subjects which affect our lives.
American & California Government
Study of governmental institutions, politics, issues and political behavior in the United States and California in constitutional, historical, social and cultural perspectives. Meets the U.S. government and California state/local government requirement.
Research and Design
Methodology and research design used in qualitative and quantitative analysis. Examination of multiple methods used to analyze political phenomena in the political science discipline.
The Politics of Poverty
Analysis of the politics and policies associated with the American welfare state, focusing on welfare and homelessness policies. Exploration of the causes of poverty and how social policy responds to poverty.
Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates I
Individual investigation, research, study, or survey of selected problems.
Quantitative Methodology
Survey of quantitative methodology in political science, up to and including multiple regression. Laboratory computer instruction to facilitate understanding of quantitative approaches to political research
Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates II
Individual investigation, research, study, or survey of selected problems.
International Organizations and Law
Analysis of contemporary international legal issues, such as arms control and nonproliferation, intellectual property rights and the World Trade Organization, and human rights and the United Nations. Case studies drawn from advancements in the biological sciences, such as those affecting public health.
Issues and Topics in Comparative Politics
Selected topics and issues in the field of comparative politics. The Schedule of Classes will list topic selected.
Technology and Public Policy
ongoing
Exploration of the historical and contemporary political influences shaping modern science and technology policy. Addresses sources of technological innovation, such as public-private partnerships, military R & D, democratic governance, and competitiveness among industrialized nations. Case studies may include cybersecurity, geoengineering, nanotechnology, and neurosciences