Major in Political Science
The Political Science major is designed to maximize flexibility for students so they can pursue a unique course of study that focuses on their interests. Preparation for the political science undergraduate major requires the completion of four courses which introduce students to political concepts and provides training in analytical and critical thinking. Students need to receive a grade of C or better in these four courses and have an overall GPA of 2.4 of higher in order to move from the premajor to the major.
Majors take a minimum of nine upper division courses in Political Science with at least one class in each of four subfields (Political Theory, American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Politics). Four additional electives can be chosen from any upper-division Political Science courses. In their senior year students complete a capstone, which can either be an internship, thesis, or 500-level course. Even though it is not required many Political Science majors obtain a minor, as the flexibility of the major allows students to complete a minor (or in some cases a second major) and still graduate in four years.
The political science major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the political science major, students must meet the following criteria:
Complete with a grade of C or higher (12 units):
- Political Science 101
- Political Science 102
- Political Science 103 or 104
- Three units of either statistics or logic chosen from: Political Science 201, Economics 201, Psychology 280, Sociology 201, Statistics 119, 250, or Philosophy 120.
The major requires a minimum of 30 upper-division units: Three units in each of the five subfields – Political Theory, American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Law and Public Policy – for 15 units total, three units from a capstone course, and 12 units from any SDSU upper-division political science courses (except POL S 390W).
Upper-division political science courses from other universities may be used toward the major only with approval of the Political Science undergraduate adviser.
Courses by Field
The major requires one three-unit course in each of the five fields – Political Theory, American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Law and Public Policy – for a total of 15 units. Additional courses in a field may be taken as major electives.
Political Theory
- POL S 301A - Ancient Political Thought Units: 3
- POL S 301B - Early Modern Political Thought Units: 3
- POL S 302 - Modern Political Thought Units: 3
- POL S 305 - American Political Thought Units: 3
- POL S 406 - Democracy and Mass Society Units: 3
American Politics
- POL S 320 - The U.S. Constitution Units: 3
- POL S 321 - State Politics Units: 3
- POL S 331 - American Indian Political Experience Units: 3 (also listed as AMIND 331 - The American Indian Political Experience Units: 3)
- POL S 338 - U.S. Congress: Conflict and Compromise Units: 3
- POL S 348 - The Supreme Court and Contemporary Issues Units: 3
- POL S 422 - Urban Politics Units: 3
- POL S 425 - Psychology of Politics Units: 3
- POL S 426 - Political Communication Units: 3
- POL S 428 - Campaigns and Elections Units: 3
- POL S 436 - The American Presidency Units: 3
Comparative Politics
- POL S 353 - Islam and Politics Units: 3
- POL S 356 - European Politics Units: 3
- POL S 357 - British Politics Units: 3
- POL S 359 - Government and Politics in Russia and Eurasia Units: 3
- POL S 361 - Governments and Politics of the Developing Areas Units: 3
- POL S 362 - Governments and Politics of East Asia Units: 3
- POL S 363 - Governments and Politics of the Middle East Units: 3
- POL S 364 - Political Change in Modern Africa Units: 3
- POL S 365 - Chinese Politics Units: 3
- POL S 366 - Latin American Politics Units: 3 (also listed as LATAM 366 - Latin American Politics Units: 3)
International Politics
- POL S 370 - Political Violence Units: 3
- POL S 372 - Politics and Conflict Units: 3
- POL S 375 - Global Politics Units: 3
- POL S 380 - Human Rights in a Global Perspective Units: 3
- POL S 479 - National Security Policy Units: 3
- POL S 482 - United States-Latin American Relations Units: 3
- POL S 485 - Politics of Globalization Units: 3
Law and Public Policy
- POL S 334 - Politics of the Environment Units: 3 (also listed as SUSTN 334 - Politics of the Environment Units: 3)
- POL S 335 - Policy Issues and Debates Units: 3
- POL S 336 - Gender and Public Policy Units: 3
- POL S 340 - Drug Policy and Politics Units: 3
- POL S 345 - U.S. Constitutional Law: Powers and Constraints Units: 3
- POL S 346 - Law and the Political System Units: 3
- POL S 347 - U.S. Constitutional Law: Rights and Liberties Units: 3
- POL S 430 - Immigration and Border Politics Units: 3 (also listed as LATAM 430 - Immigration and Border Politics Units: 3)
- POL S 435 - Power and Poverty in the United States Units: 3
- POL S 440 - Food Justice Units: 3 (also listed as GEOG 440 - Food Justice Units: 3)
Capstone Requirement
The major requires one three-unit capstone course fulfilled by:
- POL S 495 - Internship in Politics Units: 3
- POL S 497B - Senior Thesis Units: 3
- POL S 498 - Washington, D.C. internship Units: 6-12
or - any 500-level political science course
- POL S 507 - Marx and Marxism Units: 3
- POL S 510 - Contemporary Political Thought Units: 3
- POL S 530 - Political Parties Units: 3
- POL S 533 - Democracy in America Units: 3
- POL S 535 - Gender and Politics Units: 3
- POL S 541 - Special Problems in Public Law Units: 3
- POL S 555 - Comparative Political Systems Units: 3
- POL S 560 - Comparative Citizenship in Policy and Practice Units: 3
- POL S 562 - Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective Units: 3
- POL S 564 - Political Ecology of Latin America Units: 3
- POL S 565 - Nations and Nationalism Units: 3
- POL S 568 - Mexican Politics Units: 3
- POL S 575 - International Relations of the Pacific Rim Units: 3
- POL S 577 - Politics of International Law Units: 3
Major Electives
The major requires 12 units of major electives, which may come from any SDSU upper-division political science courses (except POL S 390W).
Upper-division political science courses from other universities, including study abroad programs, may be used toward the major only with approval of the Political Science undergraduate advisor.
Students may optionally take up to three units toward the 12 units of major electives from one of:
- AFRAS 321 - Black Political Participation in America Units: 3
- AFRAS 322 - African American Political Thought Units: 3
- AMIND 485 - Federal Indian Law Units: 3
- WGSS 375 - Sex, Power, and Politics Units: 3
For more information about the major, please visit our Program FAQ’s page.
- Explain the nature and structures of political power globally and in diverse societies.
- Analyze the various and complex ways in which politics serves the pursuit of justice
or injustice.
- Develop and refine your own political voice by engaging a diversity of political worldviews.
- Demonstrate effective oral and written argumentation skills about contested political
phenomena.
- Ask important questions about politics and answer them by utilizing methods and evidence appropriate to the questions.