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Explore the ideas that have shaped political life across history while examining enduring questions about justice, liberty, democracy, equality, citizenship, and political power. This concentration prepares students to think critically about political ideas and their relevance to contemporary society.

What You'll Study

Students in this concentration examine classical and contemporary political thought while developing the analytical and interpretive skills needed to evaluate political ideas and institutions.

• Classical and Modern Political Thought
• Democracy and Democratic Theory
• Justice, Equality, and Liberty
• American Political Thought
• Politics in Literature, Film, and Popular Culture
• Ethics and Political Philosophy
• Contemporary Political Theory

Career Paths

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

• Law
• Public Policy
• Government
• Education
• Journalism and Media
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Public Affairs
• Graduate and Professional Schools

Degree Requirements

The curriculum combines Political Science requirements with specialized coursework in Political Theory. 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.

Political Theory Requirements (15 Units)

Concentration Courses (12 Units)

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

• 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

Upper-Division Political Science Elective (3 Units)

Select one additional upper-division Political Science course in consultation with your faculty advisor.

Two-Year & Four-Year Roadmap

Download the Political Theory Two-Year & Four-Year Roadmap (PDF)