Associate of Arts - Political Science - Transfer

Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems and public policy. Some study the actions of foreign governments, political parties, or revolutionary movements. Others analyze topics such as public opinion, decision making, or the uses of ideology and public policy. They may conduct surveys, analyze election results, review Supreme Court decisions, or actions of legislative bodies, or analyze the content of media articles. Some do academic research, write, or teach. Others work on applied problems for federal agencies, legislative committees, or individual office holders/seekers. Some career titles include lawyer, politician or director of polling and survey projects.

The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer (AA-T) introduces students to the major fields of study in Political Science. The program includes the study of American Politics (principles, institutions, and policies). Depending upon the student’s chosen course of study, the program may also include Comparative Politics (institutional structures, processes, and political cultures), International Relations (structure and operation of the international system), and/or Political Philosophy (ideas about human nature, power, justice, and the state). Upon completion of the Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer (AA-T), students will have a strong academic foundation in the field and be prepared for upper-division baccalaureate study. Completion of the degree indicates that the student will have satisfied the lower division requirements for transfer into political science or similar majors for many campuses in the California State University system.

Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate, through written and oral academic work, an understanding of the principles, structure, and processes of the American political system, as well as, depending on the student’s area of focus, an understanding of the institutional structures and processes of other countries, the structure and operation of international relations, and philosophic ideas about human nature, power, justice, and the state.