Associate of Arts in Political Science
Santa Barbara, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
USD 419 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
The study of politics in our contemporary world is the study of how people govern themselves. We examine the process by which scarce resources are allocated to an expanding population with ever-increasing demands. We look at American politics as an experience in "self-government" and realize that our system is quite different, for example, from the political system developed by the People's Republic of China -- and also different from other Western democracies. We examine these differences and attempt to understand something about the degree to which one system works better than another.
The Political Science and Economics Department is home to four different majors: Political Science, Economics, Global and International Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies. Political Scientists aim to develop an understanding of the institutions, practices, and societal relations that constitute public life. Economists study society and the distribution of resources, including how people make decisions, how they interact, and how the economy as a whole works. Global and International Studies scholars seek to understand the multidimensional process of globalization and today’s many global issues. The field of Middle East Studies focuses on the history, politics, cultures, religions and languages of one of the most complex and critical regions of the world. Please see the individual program descriptions below for more details about each area of major/ program.
SBCC offers a Transfer Agreement Guarantee (TAG). A TAG is a contractual agreement between the student, SBCC, and specific four-year colleges or universities. This includes six University of California ( *UC) institutions, six California State Institutions (CSU), seven California private institutions, nine out-of-state institutions, as well as Honors Transfer Agreements with ten institutions and 8 CSUs without campus impaction. Students must enroll in the TAG program and work with a TAG advisor. Please click here to learn more on the TAG program website.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Enrolled students may apply one time per year in February. If awarded, the money is disbursed for the following academic year in two parts: half in the fall semester and half in the spring semester. The amounts range from very small: $100-750 and larger $1000-2500 with some variations in between.
Curriculum
Political Science (POLS)
POLS 101 American Government And Politics (3 Units)
Skills Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 110 or ENG 110H.
Hours: 54 (54 lecture)
Introduction to Constitutional principles and their application to the political process and institutions of the United States and the State of California. Attention given to political ideas, processes and issues.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area E2
Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D8, CSU US-2, CSU US-3, IGETC Area 4H, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
C-ID: POLS 110.
POLS 102 American Government And Politics: Discussion (1 Unit)
Skills Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 110 or ENG 110H.
Hours: 18 (18 lecture)
Optional course intended to augment student understanding of the political process and related issues as presented in Political Science 101.
Transfer Information: CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
UC Transfer Limit: No credit for POLS 102 unless taken concurrently or after 101.
POLS 104 American Government: Policy Issues/Process (3 Units)
Skills Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 110 or ENG 110H.
Hours: 54 (54 lecture)
Study of formulation, enactment and impact of public policy issues in the U.S. and the state of California, including environment, health care, energy, poverty and welfare, defense, criminal justice, education, civil rights and budgets. Emphasis on policy models, processes and issues.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area E2
Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D8, CSU US-2, CSU US-3, IGETC Area 4H, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
POLS 108 California Government and Politics (2 Units)
Hours: 72 (18 lecture, 54 lab)
Prerequisite or Corequisite POLS 101. Analysis and hands-on experience of the policy process in Sacramento/California, studying and meeting with state and local government entities and all the principals involved in the policy process, from inception to policy implementation. Special Fee: Field Trip fee of $900.00 will cover lodging, meals and incidentals. Scholarships are available.
Transfer Information: CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
POLS 110 Politics, Society And The Mass Media (3 Units)
Skills Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 110 or ENG 110H.
Hours: 54 (54 lecture)
Examination of the role played by the mass media in contemporary political society. This survey course includes a focus on such topics as national and international propaganda, the evolution of television and campaign advertising, news analysis, television and political information, government regulation and First Amendment controversies.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B
Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D8, IGETC Area 4H, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
POLS 121 International Politics (3 Units)
Skills Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 110 or ENG 110H.
Hours: 54 (54 lecture)
Introduction to the field of international politics. Discussion of the history of international politics, including the emergence of nation-states, international organization, and nongovernmental organizations. Use of various international relations theories to analyze war and conflict, diplomacy and cooperation, and foreign policy making.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area E5
Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D8, IGETC Area 4H, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
UC Transfer Limit: POLS 121 and 121H combined: maximum credit, one course.
C-ID: POLS 140.
POLS 121H International Politics, Honors (4 Units)
Limitations on Enrollment: Admission to Honors Program.
Skills Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 110 or ENG 110H.
Hours: 72 (72 lecture)
Introduction to the field of international politics. Discussion of the history of international politics, including the emergence of nation-states, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations. Use of various international relations theories to analyze war and conflict, diplomacy and cooperation, and foreign policy making.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area E5
Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D, IGETC Area 4, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
UC Transfer Limit: POLS 121 and 121H combined: maximum credit, one course.
C-ID: POLS 140.
POLS 122 International Organizations: Global and Regional Governance (3 Units)
Skills Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 110 or ENG 110H.
Hours: 54 (54 lecture)
Focuses on the history and current actions of international organizations, such as the UN and the EU, and their diverse member states. Discussion of a variety of international problems, such as effective governance, war, economic development, environmental problems and human rights. Students participate in an in-class simulation activity.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B
Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D8, IGETC Area 4H, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
POLS 131 Comparative Politics (3 Units)
Course Advisories: POLS 101 or POLS 121.
Hours: 54 (54 lecture)
Comparative analysis of different kinds of political systems, including their history, political institutions, processes and policies; the environments in which they occur; and their consequences. Comparisons will be made between autocratic and democratic political systems and the political institutions of selected countries, such as Russia, China, Iran, Britain, France and Germany.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B
Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D8, IGETC Area 4H, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
C-ID: POLS 130.
POLS 132 Political Thinking (3 Units)
Course Advisories: POLS 101.
Hours: 54 (54 lecture)
Exploration of fundamental issues in political theory as interpreted by such thinkers as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Burke, Rousseau, Marx and others.
Transfer Information: CSUGE Area C2, CSUGE Area D8, IGETC Area 3B, IGETC Area 4H, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
C-ID: POLS 120.
POLS 134H Political Violence, Honors (4 Units)
Limitations on Enrollment: Admission to Honors Program.
Skills Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 110 or ENG 110H.
Hours: 72 (72 lecture)
Interdisciplinary study of origin, causes, dimensions and kinds of political violence, from regicide to terrorism, from revolution to war. Emphasis on theoretical and historical studies of political violence.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area E5
Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D8, IGETC Area 4H, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
POLS 136 Middle East Government And Politics (3 Units)
Skills Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 110 or ENG 110H.
Hours: 54 (54 lecture)
Introduction to the comparative study of the governments and politics of Middle Eastern states. Emphasis on the study of the relationships between political development, political organization and social structure and such concepts as tradition, modernity, autocracy, democracy and political transition.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B, SBCCGE Area E5
Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D8, IGETC Area 4H, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
POLS 151 Law And Society (3 Units)
Hours: 54 (54 lecture)
Study of the American judicial system as a political institution. Courts, judges, lawyers and police will be examined. Emphasis placed on issues involving the criminal justice system.
SBCC General Education: SBCCGE Area B
Transfer Information: CSUGE Area D8, IGETC Area 4H, CSU Transferable, UC Transferable
UC Transfer Limit: POLS 151 and 151H combined: maximum credit, one course.
POLS 295 Internship in Political Science (2-4 Units)
Limitations on Enrollment: Completion of two courses in Political Science at SBCC prior to enrolling in an internship course.
Hours: 273 (273 lab)
Internship program in which students gain experience in community organizations related to the discipline.
Transfer Information: CSU Transferable
POLS 299 Independent Study in Political Science (1-4 Units)
Limitations on Enrollment: Other: Completion of a minimum of 12 units at SBCC, with a 2.5 GPA, and a minimum of six units, with a 3.0 GPA within the department.
Hours: 192 (192 lab)
Limitations on Enrollment: Completion of a minimum of 12 units at SBCC, with a 2.5 GPA, and a minimum of six units, with a 3.0 GPA within the department. Independent study course that provides an opportunity for students to explore a specific political science topic in depth, while working closely with their professor.
Transfer Information: CSU Transferable
Program Outcome
Learning Outcomes
Students majoring in Political Science should, at the end of their two years of study at the college, be able to achieve the following level of proficiency in this field. This measure is referred to as Student Learning Outcomes, and they are as follows for the Political Science Department:
- Demonstrate knowledge of how people are governed and how they govern themselves
- Analyze the role of government institutions in contemporary society
- Demonstrate knowledge of key terms and core concepts of political systems
English Language Requirements
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