Political Science

Division of Politics, Administration and Justice Divsion Chair

Stacy Mallicoat

Political Science Program Coordinator

Mark Redhead

Division Office

University Hall 511
657-278-3521
hss.fullerton.edu/paj

Faculty

Michelle Arsneault, Robert Castro, Pam Fiber-Ostrow, Sarah Hill, Meriem Hodge, Matthew Jarvis, Myungjung Kwon, Don Matthewson, Valerie O’Regan, Paul Peretz, Mark Redhead, Rob Robinson, Choudhury Shamim, Alexei Shevchenko, Scott Spitzer, Stephen Stambough, Samuel Stone, Yuan Ting, Justin Tucker, Yan Xiao

Introduction

Political science is the study of people’s behavior as it relates to power and public organizations. The discipline is normally divided into six subfields: political philosophy, American politics, public administration, public law, comparative government and international politics.

A major in political science prepares students for law school, government employment on the local, state and national levels, foreign service, teaching, business, journalism, or leadership in civic and political activities.

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

The following goals and learning outcomes have been established for students pursuing a degree in Political Science:

Knowledge

• Understand the relevance for politics and policy-making of formal political institutions, rules, and processes in the U.S. and cross-nationally
• Understand the relevance for politics and policy-making of non-institutional aspects of politics, including the roles of class, race, gender, religion, and political beliefs in the U.S. and cross-nationally
• Understand and use different theories and methods of studying politics including understanding the role of theory, both normative and empirical, in political analysis and argumentation
• Understand and use interdisciplinary knowledge important to the study of politics

Experience

• Be provided with the opportunity through internships to experience politics directly

Skills

• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of various tools of analysis, including library research, computer skills, and data analysis techniques
• Be able to think and write clearly, critically and intelligently about politics

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

• Political Science, B.A.

• Political Science, M.A.

• International Politics Minor
• Law, Politics and Society Minor
• Political Science Minor

Courses

Courses are designated as POSC in the class schedule. POSC 100 or its equivalent is the prerequisite for all upper-division political science courses. Prerequisites may be waived only with consent of instructor.

• POSC 590T - Selected Topics in Political Science (3)
• POSC 597 - Project (3)
• POSC 598 - Thesis (3)
• POSC 599 - Independent Graduate Research (1-3)