Political Science Minor

The course provides an introductory overview of the American political system. It begins with a discussion of the principles of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights and an examination of their impact on the country. It also covers the avenues and means of democratic citizenship and political influence in American politics. The course further examines the major political institutions in the United States: Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy, and Courts. In order to assess the impact of government on society, the course concludes with an exploration of public policy. (Meets state requirement in United States Constitution and California Government.) (3 Units)

This course begins with an examination of the relevant international relations paradigms and evaluates several foreign policy decision-making models. The course considers important actors within the international system, such as intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and concludes with an examination of contemporary international relations issues, such as interstate war, economic development, human rights, and trade. (3 Units)

This goal of the course is the development of a Christian perspective toward politics. The course begins with an examination of the important role that Christianity played in the founding of the United States. The course carefully considers a number of political worldviews and ideologies from a Christian perspective. The course analyzes the impact of Christianity on political culture and behavior in the United States. Lastly, the course introduces students to the duties and obligations of American Christians in the arena of democratic politics. (3 Units)

The study of the nature, development, organization, function, and methods of political parties. Also designed to furnish an understanding of the pluralist nature of the American system through the dynamics of group action and their methods and impact. (3 Units)

The study of the place, responsibilities, and functions of Congress and the presidency in American politics is covered. This includes congressional organization and behavior, congressional elections, party leadership, congressional rules and procedures, and the committee system, with its effect on policy. The presidency roles, powers, and functions are also examined. The president's relationship with both the media and public, other branches, presidential character and leadership are included. Both branches are examined in light of checks and balances. (3 Units)

This course explores the relationship between the economy and politics and provides both a description and assessment of the economy. This entails an overview of economic theory, macroeconomics, savings, investments, microeconomics and markets, inflation, monetary policy, international economics and globalization, and the role of the private sector and government. (3 Units)

The course analyzes the dominant role political parties played in the American political system in the past. The course explores the decline of American political parties in recent decades. The course considers the increasing importance of campaign consultants and interest groups. The course examines the consequences of the shift in the roles played by political parties, campaign consultants, and interest groups on the American political system. Since the nature of political campaigns strongly impacts the political agenda of successful candidates once they take office, the course devotes considerable attention to the role of campaign issues in mobilizing key groups of voters as well as the use of campaign strategies and tactics aimed at achieving electoral success. (3 Units)

The course facilitates an understanding of the Constitution and its relationship to the three branches of government and their functions and a greater appreciation of the role of the court in affecting their balances. Included aspects of study are the court system, judicial review, presidential power, Congress and commerce, Federalism, contracts, due process, and civil liberties. (3 Units)

This course studies the most important decisions of the Supreme Court on individual rights and the conflicts from which they have arisen, which means examining the trinity of individual values and rights in American civil liberties -- freedom, due process, and equality. (3 Units)

This course begins with an in-depth examination of the dominant and alternative theories found within the international relations literature. Having established a solid theoretical foundation, the course will consider important disagreements between the dominant theories (e.g., the structure of the international system) and the corresponding predicted outcomes (e.g., conflict or cooperation within the international system). The course concludes with an examination of several contemporary international relations issues, such as globalization and terrorism. (3 Units)

This course studies the world's geographic areas and the outstanding human, social, and physical features of realms and regions. In doing so, special attention is given to the more important features of histories, societies, cultures, and religions of the people living in the region. It also examines the relationship between human life and natural environment. The purpose is to help students better understand the world, our relationship with the environment, and human connections around the globe. (3 Units)

The course provides a critical assessment of political economy with a special emphasis on the increasing pace of globalization. The course begins with an overview of economics, which is the study of how human beings cope with the problem of provisioning themselves. After discussing the relevant economic principles, the course examines the causes and consequences of economic globalization. (3 Units)

The course examines many theoretical explanations for international conflict, such as religious differences, groupthink, territorial demands, domestic politics, misperception, shifts in the balance of power, and ideological differences. Following an extensive discussion of these theories, the course analyzes relevant case studies to determine the validity and relevance of the theoretical explanations. The course concludes with an examination of the diplomatic and political options available to states and intergovernmental organizations seeking to reduce the intensity and frequency of wars in the 21st century. (3 Units)

This course is a history of the diplomatic relations of the United States and the development of the leading principles of foreign policy set within the context of an analysis of various geopolitical models. (3 Units)

This course will examine the development of modern international law. The course will consider the foundations of customary and conventional international laws, as well as treaties that bear upon the conduct of members of the international community. (3 Units)

The course begins with an examination of the relevant empirical and theoretical studies on International Organizations (IOs), with an emphasis on Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) in the global arena. Having established solid empirical and theoretical foundations, the course will explore the impact of international organizations on several issue areas. The second principal portion of the course will utilize the same approach in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). (3 Units)

This course examines the origin, political goals, means, and long-term strategy of terrorism. The course distinguishes between terrorist organizations with and without state support. The course also differentiates between domestic and regional/international terrorism. The course utilizes case studies of several terrorist organizations, such as Al Qaeda, to illustrate the emergence of terrorism as a significant threat. The course concludes with an examination of the military and political options available to governments interested in reducing or eliminating the threat posed by terrorism. (3 Units)

This course explores the relationship between the economy and politics and provides both a description and assessment of the economy. This entails an overview of economic theory, macroeconomics, savings, investments, microeconomics and markets, inflation, monetary policy, international economics and globalization, and the role of the private sector and government. (3 Units)

This course examines the origin of Western political, social, and legal thought in order to understand the present through the great political works of the past. It begins in ancient Greece in early democratic Athens and moves through Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. From there, the course explores classical Rome, focusing on Polybius and Cicero. Since the advent of Christianity shapes the development of medieval political thought, the political thought of St. Augustine, John of Salisbury, St. Thomas Aquinas, Marsilio of Padua, Dante, and Thomas More are discussed. (3 Units)

This course entails a comparative study of modern social, legal, and political philosophy, from the Renaissance toward the present by focusing on the great works of the Western traditions, including Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesqueie, Kant, Hegel, Bentham, Marx, Mill. The course examines the relationship between these various political philosophers and the modern political world. (3 Units)

This course provides an exploration of the founding of the American Republic. It begins with the colonial period, noting the relationship between religion, liberty, and politics, and then moves to ideas that shaped the American Revolution. From there it analyzes the discussions on the Constitution by both the Federalists and the Antifederalists. The course also examines the discussions surrounding the new Republic and the growth of the nation, including the struggles regarding individualism, liberty, equality, race, gender, wealth, economic regulation, and community responsibility. (3 Units)

Nature of criminal law and its philosophical and historical development; major definitions and concepts; classification of crime; elements of crimes and penalties using California and federal statutes as illustrations; defenses to criminal responsibility; and criminal responsibility. (3 Units)

A study of the judiciary in the criminal justice system; structure of the California and federal court systems; prosecution; criminal defense, right to counsel; pre-trial release; grand juries; adjudication process; types and rules of evidence; appeals and sentencing. (3 Units)

This course examines the place and impact of executive agencies on the formation and implementation of administrative law and regulation in the United States. This includes an overview of the administrative process, a discussion of administrative power, and bureaucratic organization. The course then examines the steps, stages, and participants of the administrative process, such as delegation of authority, administrative rule making, agency adjudication, and judicial review. The course concludes with a discussion of tort liability and sovereign immunity, the relationship between the bureaucracy and the other branches, and administrative reform. (3 Units)

A systematized study of the canons and criteria of validity in thought and its rational expression by considering the processes of reasoning and inference with applications in propositional logic, natural deduction, predicate logic, and induction. Prerequisite: PHI213 or WLD181 or HON101 (3 Units)

This course is designed to examine the role and function of narrative in law, and the role and function of law in major works of literature, to understand better both law and literature. (3 Units)

This course will examine the development of modern international law. The course will consider the foundations of customary and conventional international laws, as well as treaties that bear upon the conduct of members of the international community. (3 Units)

The course facilitates an understanding of the Constitution and its relationship to the three branches of government and their functions and a greater appreciation of the role of the court in affecting their balances. Included aspects of study are the court system, judicial review, presidential power, Congress and commerce, Federalism, contracts, due process, and civil liberties. (3 Units)

This course studies the most important decisions of the Supreme Court on individual rights and the conflicts from which they have arisen, which means examining the trinity of individual values and rights in American civil liberties -- freedom, due process, and equality. (3 Units)