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Develop a strong understanding of American political institutions, constitutional law, elections, public policy, and the legal system while preparing for careers in law, government, public service, advocacy, and graduate study.

What You'll Study

Students in this concentration examine the institutions, laws, and political processes that shape American democracy while developing the analytical skills needed to understand contemporary political issues.

• Constitutional Law
• Congress and the Presidency
• Elections and Political Parties
• Public Policy
• Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
• State and Local Government
• Public Opinion and Political Communication

Career Paths

Graduates pursue careers in a wide variety of public, private, and nonprofit organizations, including:

• Law
• Government
• Public Administration
• Public Policy
• Legislative Offices
• Political Campaigns
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Graduate and Professional Schools

Degree Requirements

The curriculum combines Political Science requirements with specialized coursework in American Government, Law and Politics. Faculty advisors will help you develop an academic plan that supports your interests and graduation timeline.

Political Science Requirements (30 Units)

Research Methods (6 Units)

Complete the following required courses:

• POL 300 – Research Design in Political Science
• POL 301 – Statistical Analysis in Political Science

Cornerstone Requirements (12 Units)

Complete one introductory course in each of the four major subfields.

Depth in Political Science (12 Units)

Select one course from each of the four groups below.

American Government, Law and Politics

• POL 310 – Current Issues in American Government
• POL 312 – State and Local Government: Organization and Problems
• POL 314 – American Political Parties and Elections
• POL 325 – Women and Politics in the United States
• POL 360 – American Constitutional Law: Distribution of Power
• POL 361 – American Constitutional Law: Civil Rights
• POL 370 – Public Opinion and Propaganda

International Relations

• POL 332 – International Security
• POL 334 – American Foreign Policy
• POL 372 – International Institutions
• POL 373 – International Political Economy

Comparative Politics

• POL 341 – Government and Politics of East Asia
• POL 342 – Government and Politics of the Middle East
• POL 343 – Political Behavior in Latin America
• POL 344 – Latin America: The Revolutionary Tradition
• POL 345 – Democratization
• POL 347 – Comparative Political Parties

Political Theory

• POL 319 – Horror and Politics
• POL 351 – Modern Political Thought
• POL 352 – Democratic Theory
• POL 354 – American Political Thought
• POL 355 – Politics and Political Theory through Film
• POL 356 – Political Theory and Science Fiction
• POL 357 – Food Politics

Courses used to satisfy the Depth in Political Science requirement may not also be used to satisfy concentration requirements.

American Government, Law and Politics Requirements (15 Units)

Concentration Courses (9 Units)

Select three courses from the following. Courses used to satisfy the Depth in Political Science requirement may not be double-counted toward the concentration.

• POL 310 – Current Issues in American Government
• POL 312 – State and Local Government: Organization and Problems
• POL 314 – American Political Parties and Elections
• POL 325 – Women and Politics in the United States
• POL 360 – American Constitutional Law: Distribution of Power
• POL 361 – American Constitutional Law: Civil Rights
• POL 370 – Public Opinion and Propaganda

Upper-Division Political Science Electives (6 Units)

Select two additional upper-division Political Science courses in consultation with your faculty advisor.

Two-Year & Four-Year Roadmap

Download the American Government, Law and Politics Two-Year & Four-Year Roadmap (PDF)