Political Science (POLS)

POLS-155  U.S. Government  3 Credits  

Designed to acquaint the student with the United States political system, including constitutional developments of the United States and of California, and stimulate reflection on the intersection of Christianity and citizenship. This course will meet the Social Science requirement for Professional Studies Majors.

POLS-155C  American Democracy  3 Credits  

Designed to acquaint the student with the United States political system, including constitutional developments of the United States and of California, and stimulate reflection on the intersection of Christianity and citizenship. Strongly recommended as a prerequisite for upper-division U.S. Government classes. (formerly titled U.S. Government; see 2019 Academic Catalog)

Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

POLS-240  Economics  3 Credits  

The course begins with an examination of influential economic philosophies and the debates they have sparked. How do societies encourage economic growth, allocate resources, protect and help the poor, and balance competing economic claims? How do domestic policy choices affect other countries? By studying basic economic principles and case studies that highlight economic challenges around the world, students will learn to see the complexity of economic and political choices.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-262  Research Methods in Hist/Poli Science  3 Credits  

This course is cross-listed with HIST-262. Writing intensive class which will teach students proper research techniques and the different aspects of History and Political Science scholarship. Class will focus on how to write a major research paper. Strongly recommended before taking upper-division History and Political Science courses. Satisfies ENGL-220C requirement. Students are expected to take HIST-262 or POLS-262, but if ENGL-220C was taken before a History & Political Science major was declared, it will be an acceptable substitution. Must be passed with a "C" (not a "C-") or better to fulfill the core curriculum requirement.

Prerequisite: ENGL-120C

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

POLS-303  Classical Political Thought  3 Credits  

This course is devoted to classical questions on the relationship between "the city and man," expressed in the ancient texts of Plato, Aristotle, and Augustine. Students will explore the themes of the good life and the best regime, the relationship between justice and corruption, and the role of politics in the pursuit of human happiness. (This course is currently in teach out. See POLS-324.)

POLS-304  Political Psychology  3 Credits  

This course is cross-listed with PSYC-304. This course evaluates theories from the field of Psychology to help us understand how people think and feel about politics. Students will investigate how social, cognitive, emotive, and physiological factors interact to influence political preferences and opinions.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-313  American Political Thought  3 Credits  

This class is a study of political philosophy from the time of the American founding to the 1960s. Students examine the works of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Abraham Lincoln, as well as the defenders of laissez-faire capitalism, American socialism and nationalism, and the supporters and critics of American democracy in the twentieth century. (This course is currently in teach out. See POLS-324.)

POLS-323  Christian Political Thought  3 Credits  

This class is a study of the complex relationship between church and state, the Kingdom of Heaven as it relates to earthly kingdoms, and what civil law means in light of grace, as understood by major Christian philosophers in church history. Students examine scripture, as well as the writings of Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, the American Puritans, and contemporary thinkers. (This course is currently in teach out. See POLS-324.)

POLS-324  Comparative Political Thought  3 Credits  

A historical review of Classical, American, Christian, and Modern political thought from Plato to present.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-330  Race, Identity & Politics  3 Credits  

Examines the impact of race, ethnicity, and identity in American politics and policy; surveys political attitudes, behavior, and experiences of Americans of African, Asian and Latinx descent.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-331  Immigrants in American Politics  3 Credits  

Historical examination of how various institutional attitudes and policies toward immigrants produce different political integration outcomes among African, Asian, European, and Latinx immigrants; evaluation of American democratic institutions' interactions with America's newest arrivals and future citizens.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-332  Gender & Politics  3 Credits  

Examines the relationship between gender and political participation and representation; explores inequalities and how gender hierarchy is produced and reproduced through socio-cultural, economic, and political practices and structures.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-333  Modern Political Thought  3 Credits  

This class is a study of the origins of the state, human rights, personal liberty, and the idea of progress. Students examine primary texts in political philosophy, including Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Edmund Burke, and John Stuart Mill, in order to become familiar with the development of modernity and how it shapes our own outlook on politics, morality and faith. (This course is currently in teach out. See POLS-324.)

POLS-345  U.S. Foreign Policy  3 Credits  

Principles, practice, and ethical issues of United States foreign policymaking. Particular emphasis on the policymaking process.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-360  American Politics and Elections  3 Credits  

This course is devoted to the institutions, practices, and history of how Americans choose their presidents and other representatives. Students examine voting behavior, the nomination process, and the cultural, social, and economic impact of campaigns, as well as controversies surrounding campaign finance, polling, and the media. Offered fall in even-numbered years, with focus more on the presidential races in presidential election years. (This course is currently in teach out. See POLS-361.)

POLS-361  Political Parties, Campaigns & Elections  3 Credits  

Organizations and function of political parties, nominations, elections, tactics of campaigning and campaign finance; explores mass political attitudes and behavior of American electorate. (course formerly POLS-360 American Politics and Elections; see 2019 Academic Catalog)

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-370  Constitutional Law  3 Credits  

This course is devoted to the U.S. Supreme Court. We will examine the Court as an institution, its historical development, and the way it works today. We will meet particular justices throughout the Court's history, and examine their roles and judicial philosophies. The class will then study the Court's most important rulings, and consider how they shaped the power of the federal government, its relationship with the states, as well as its protection of civil rights and liberties, and the shape of our national life.

Prerequisite: ENGL-220C, HIST-262, or POLS-262

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-438  Comparative Politics  3 Credits  

Comparative politics is the study of political systems around the world. Students will examine the theoretical background of various regime types, the history of modern nation-states, and survey a variety of existing political systems. Students will consider the difference between autocracy and democracy, the causes of poverty and development, and the consequences of the way power is distributed and checked within any society.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-446  Public Policy Issues  3 Credits  

A conclusion to the institutions classes (Congress, the Presidency and Constitutional Law), this course is a study of major laws and their effect on society, with particular attention devoted to immigration, poverty, education and healthcare. Throughout, students will consider the cost-benefit analysis, public administration, policy assessment, and the various views about concepts of the public good.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-450  Political Science Teaching Internship  1-3 Credits  

Regular hours each week for classes and/or meetings are established at the beginning of the semester. The intern assists an instructor in planning and conducting a course and/or laboratory session. Maximum of three units. (Maximum six units for HIST-450, POLS-450, HIST-454, POLS-454, HIST-457, and POLS-457.)

Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

POLS-454  History/Political Science Internship  1-3 Credits  

Internship with Vanguard University, local museum, archives, government office, or political campaign. Maximum of three units. (Maximum six units for HIST-450, POLS-450, HIST-454, POLS-454, HIST-457, and POLS-457.)

Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

POLS-456  U.S. Congress and Representation  3 Credits  

Exploration of theoretical concept of representation; motivations and behavior of Members of Congress; impact of money and interest groups on legislative bills and campaigning. (course formerly titled United States Congress; 2019 Academic Catalog)

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-457  Research Assistantship  1-3 Credits  

Advanced work in research in Political Science in an on-going project with the cooperation and supervision of a faculty member. Students will meet with instructor weekly to discuss findings and progress. Maximum three units. (Maximum six units for HIST-450, POLS-450, HIST-454, POLS-454, HIST-457, and POLS-457.)

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-469  Special Topic: U.S.:  1-3 Credits  

Experimental or occasional courses not offered on a regular basis. May be repeated for credit.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-470  Special Topic: Non-U.S.:  1-3 Credits  

Experimental or occasional courses not offered on a regular basis. May be repeated for credit.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-472  U.S. Presidents and the Presidency  3 Credits  

Historical development and operation of the Presidency as an institution, examines sources of presidential power, recent leadership styles and decision-making within the presidency. (course formerly titled United States Presidency; see 2019 Academic Catalog)

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-480  Individual Studies:  1-3 Credits  

May be repeated for credit. Cosent of the instructor and the department chair is required.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

POLS-482  International Politics  3 Credits  

Examination of the concepts and principles of the international political system.

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.