Degree Requirements and Courses
Learn more about certificate and degree requirements, course content, recommended sequence, and schedule.
Political Science AA-T Degree
Provides students with a common core of lower division courses required to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in the CSU System.
Associate in Arts for Transfer | SC Program: AA-T.4001
A political science major is a social science degree path that requires students to study government in theory and practice. It provides strong academic preparation for many different career paths, because it connects to a range of policies and issues that affect society.
The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree (AA-T in Political Science) initiates a systemic and scholarly study of the politics of influence, human behavior that shape world events. Through this curriculum students are exposed to research methodology that connects them to a formal operational level of reasoning. Political science studies diversity in cultures, how power is exercised or resisted, and how nations are governed.
The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree provides the student with the problem solving skills to become active participants in the world around them.
Choose your path
Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.
A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.
Fall Semester, First Year
16 Units TotalENGL C1000
GE
4
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1000
Note: For students who would benefit from further instruction and individual support while taking their first college-transfer level English course, ENGL C1000E is a recommended alternative to ENGL C1000.
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. An argumentative research essay is required for the successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. An argumentative research essay is required for the successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
SOC 3
GE
M
3
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
SOC 3
This course is an introduction to the basic statistical methods and analyses commonly used in the behavioral sciences. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics; levels and types of measurement; measures of central tendency and dispersion; normal, t, and chi-square distributions; probability and hypothesis testing; and correlation and regression. Applications of statistical software to the behavioral sciences and/or other social science data is required. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
POLS 1
M
3
Introduction to Political Science
POLS 1
Advisory: ENGL C1000 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 7.
This course is an introduction to the study of politics designed to familiarize students with the basic systems, ideologies, subfields, concepts, and models of analysis used in the field of Political Science. Topics of discussion include the nature of Political Science, the origin and nature of the State, patterns and functions of government and constitutions, the nature of political ideologies, the relationship of Political Science to culture, economics, and international affairs, and the difficulties associated with using analytical approaches to interpret the behavior of various individuals, groups, and states. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This course is an introduction to the study of politics designed to familiarize students with the basic systems, ideologies, subfields, concepts, and models of analysis used in the field of Political Science. Topics of discussion include the nature of Political Science, the origin and nature of the State, patterns and functions of government and constitutions, the nature of political ideologies, the relationship of Political Science to culture, economics, and international affairs, and the difficulties associated with using analytical approaches to interpret the behavior of various individuals, groups, and states. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Spring Semester, First Year
15 Units TotalCOMM C1000
GE
3
Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM C1000
In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
Apply Now
HIST 1A
M
3
History of Western Civilization
HIST 1A
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher
This course is a survey of the origins and development of civilization in the Western world from pre-history to 1600, with special emphasis on institutions, thought, and culture. It is designed to show the continuity of Western civilization and to overview the heritage of the present generation. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This course is a survey of the origins and development of civilization in the Western world from pre-history to 1600, with special emphasis on institutions, thought, and culture. It is designed to show the continuity of Western civilization and to overview the heritage of the present generation. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Fall Semester, Second Year
16 Units TotalPOLS C1000
M
3
American Government and Politics
POLS C1000
Advisory: ENGL C1000 or English Placement Level 7 or higher.
This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
POLS 15
M
3
Introduction to Political Theory
POLS 15
Advisory: ENGL C1000 or English Placement Level 7 or higher.
This introductory course offers a survey of major political theorists and their interpretations of political concepts, such as civil and political society, the state of nature, natural law, and civil liberties. It examines various theoretical approaches to politics, political problems, and proposed solutions; analysis of selected political theories; and the relevance of theory to contemporary problems. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This introductory course offers a survey of major political theorists and their interpretations of political concepts, such as civil and political society, the state of nature, natural law, and civil liberties. It examines various theoretical approaches to politics, political problems, and proposed solutions; analysis of selected political theories; and the relevance of theory to contemporary problems. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ADJU 10
3
Intro to Administration of Justice
ADJU 10
This course introduces students to the characteristics of the criminal justice system in the United States. Focus is placed on examining crime measurement, theoretical explanations of crime, responses to crime, components of the system, and current challenges to the system. The course examines the evolution of the principles and approaches utilized by the justice system and the evolving forces that have shaped those principles and approaches. Although the justice structure and process are examined in a cross-cultural context, emphasis is placed on the US justice system, particularly the structure and function of the US police, courts, and corrections. Students are introduced to the origins and development of criminal law, legal process, and sentencing and incarceration policies.
Apply Now
Spring Semester, Second Year
13 Units TotalPOLS 25
M
3
Introduction to International Relations
POLS 25
Advisory: ENGL C1000 or English Placement Level 7 or higher.
This course examines the political, social, and economic methods and processes by which nations of the world conduct relations with each other and within a global system. The course also identifies the role of national, international, transitional, and subnational institutions. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
This course examines the political, social, and economic methods and processes by which nations of the world conduct relations with each other and within a global system. The course also identifies the role of national, international, transitional, and subnational institutions. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.
*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:
Contact Us for More Information
Counseling & Student Services
Contact Info
Phone
(530) 242-7724
Fax
(530) 225-4652
Academic/Instructional Division Office
Arts, Communications & Social Sciences (ACSS)
Contact Info
Phone
(530) 242-7730
Start Your Future at Shasta College
We are dedicated to helping you reach your educational and career goals. To begin your journey, apply for admissions today!