Skip NavigationCSU East Bay Logo Political Science Department
  Degrees And Programs
  •  Schedule & Catalog   •  Campus Directories
  •  Library   •  Colleges/Depts.
 
Skip Top Level Menus About CSUEB Why Cal State East Bay? Office of the President Welcome Message University Mission Our Regional Role About the President University WASC Accreditation Diversity & Equal Opportunity Visitor information Visitor Information Hayward Hills Campus Map Concord Campus Map Oakland Center Map Public Transportation Driving Directions Visitor Accommodations Take A Tour Campus Building Hours Academic Programs & Services Fields of Study Undergraduate Admissions Graduate Admissions Student Services Continuing Education Programs Education Credential Programs General Education Program PACE Online Programs Testing University Life University Life Student Life Online & Computing Services University Facts Office of University Communications University Employment Faculty Employment Staff Employment Facilities Reservations WASC Accreditation CSUEB Foundation, Inc. University Calendar Becoming a Student Home Student Housing Concord Campus Programs Continuing Education International Students Special Programs Student Orientation Open University Program for Accelerated College Education (PACE) For Students Home Athletics Online Services Online Services Home Blackboard e-Sailor Web Registration Horizon E-Mail MyInfo NetID Schedule & Catalog Transcripts & Records Associated Students Campus Hours Concord Campus Enrollment Services Financial Aid & Scholarships Library Pioneer Bookstore Student Affairs Student Affairs Home Student Life Programs Alumni & Friends Home Support CSUEB University News and Events Alumni Association Cal State East Bay Magazine The View Transcript Requests Faculty Home Staff Home Online Directory Webmail UCal Administration & Business Affairs Administrative Offices Human Resources Human Resources Home Procurement DegreeWorks Computing Services The View Apply Online
Beginning left navigation bar links. Click here to skip.

Political Science
The B.A. Degree in Political Science

The Political Science department offers a Major, a Minor, and a Liberal Studies Option. The major can be completed in three ways: the traditional major, a Pre-Law Option (for students planning a career in law and a Public Affairs and Administration Option (for students contemplating a career in government service).  Special features of the Political Science major include: the intercollegiate Model United Nations Club; field trips to Sacramento and to State and Federal courts; guest political speakers; pre-law advising; local, Sacramento, Washington, and political campaign internships; and the Political Science Club.

Preparation
If you have a score of 3 or better on the Advanced Placement Test in American Government and Politics, you will receive 4 units of credit equivalent to POSC 1201.
Major Requirements (B.A.)
Please consult an advisor in your major department for clarification and interpretation of your major requirements. The regular major consists of 56 units; the Pre-Law Option consists of 64 units; the Public Affairs and Administration Option consists of 65 units. The B.A. degree requires a total of 186 units.
 
 
The Traditional Political Science Major
 
I.  Lower Division (8-16 units)
 
A.  POSC 1201 American Political Institutions (4)
POSC 1202 Public Policy/California Politics (4)
 
B.  Students may take an additional 0-8 units of lower division political science courses.
 
II.  Upper Division (40-48 units)
 
A.  POSC 3020 Values in Politics, Administration, and Law (4)
 
B.  One course in each of the following five fields (20)
 
1.  American Government and Public Administration (includes courses listed under Public Policy and Administration)
2.  Public Law
3.  Comparative Government and Politics
4.  International Relations
5.  Political Theory
 
C.  POSC 4910 Political Science Seminar (4)
 
D.  Twelve (12) to twenty (20) additional units from upper division political science courses
 
Other Degree Requirements
In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University requirements for graduation which are described in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements chapter in the front of this catalog. These include the General Education-Breadth requirements; the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement; the University Writing Skills requirement; and the residence, unit, and grade point average requirements.
 
 
Pre-Law Option
Also see "Pre-Law Students" later in this chapter.
 
Students taking this option will focus their coursework in legal studies. Completion of this program will lead to a B.A. degree, major in Political Science with an Option in Pre-Law. The total required for the major with Pre-Law Option is 64 units. The total required for the B.A. degree is 186 units.
 
Two quarters before you expect to graduate, complete a major check sheet and inquire about other requirements for graduation. The following is an outline indicating specific courses and options necessary for completing the option in pre-law.
 
I.  Foundation Courses (24 units)
POSC 1201 American Political Institutions (4)
POSC 1202 Public Policy/California Politics (4)
POSC 3020 Values in Politics, Administration, and Law (4)
 
One lower or upper division course in International Relations (4)
 
One lower or upper division course in Comparative Government (4)
 
One upper division course in Political Theory (4)
 
II.  The Political and Policy Context of the Law (16 units)
Choose 16 units from the following:
H SC 3350 Health Legislation and Government Programs (4); MGMT 4500 Business, Government and Society (4); any Political Science course listed under the headings "American Government and Politics" or "Public Policy and Administration."
 
III.  Public Law (20 units)
Choose 20 units from the following:
MGMT 2701 Legal Environment of Business (4); PHIL 3503 Philosophy of Law (4); any Political Science course listed under the heading "Public Law."
 
IV.  Capstone (4 units)
POSC 4910 Political Science Seminar (4)
 
 
Public Affairs and Administration Option
Students taking this option will concentrate their coursework in American political institutions, public policy, and administrative processes. Completion of this program will lead to a B.A. degree major in Political Science, with an Option in Public Affairs and Administration.
 
Since several courses overlap (ECON 2301, 2302, ACCT 2210 or 2251, MGMT 4500), the department encourages students who pursue this option to consider combining it with the Minor in Business Administration.
 
The major with this option consists of 65 units; the B.A. requires a total of 186 units. The course requirements for this option are as follows:
 
I.  Lower Division (25 units)
ECON 2301 (4)
ECON 2302 or POSC 1202 (4)
POSC 1201 (4)
POSC 1400 (4)
 
One course from each group (9 units)
 
Group I: STAT 1000 or STAT 2010
 
Group II: ACCT 2210 or ACCT 2251
 
II.  Upper Division (40 units)
A student must take 28 units of upper division coursework chosen from the following:
 
Group I: Public Affairs and Administrative Process (at least 12 units)
ECON 3370; POSC 3800, 3870, 4450, 4861; PUAD 4800, 4830
 
Group II: Political Institutions and Processes (at least 8 units)
Any Political Science courses listed under the heading "American Government and Politics"
 
Group III: Public Affairs and Public Policy (at least 8 units)
ECON 3375; HSC 3350; MGMT 4500; and any Political Science course listed under the heading "Public Policy and Administration," if not used under Group I
 
Service Requirement (4 units)
May be fulfilled by taking POSC 3113, 3370, 3898 or another service course approved by the department chair.
 
Value Requirement (4 units)
POSC 3020 Values in Politics, Administration, and Law
 
Capstone Course (4 units)
POSC 4910 Political Science Seminar
Pre-Law Students
The study of law is a postgraduate professional program, requiring three years of full-time study beyond the completion of the bachelor's degree. No specific pre-law undergraduate program is required for admission to law schools. However, students wishing to focus on legal studies at Cal State East Bay, may complete the Pre-Law Option in the Political Science major.
 
Students intending to enter law school commonly complete undergraduate majors in political science, economics, business, or history. The pre-law student's undergraduate plan of study should include among its objectives a facility in the proper use of written and spoken English, a sampling of undergraduate law courses, one or more critical/logical thinking courses, and a basic understanding of government and economics. Some law schools recommend that students take a basic accounting course, particularly if they are interested in business or tax law.
 
Students planning to enter law school should consult a pre-law advisor. Dr. David Baggins of the Department of Political Science, who is an attorney, serves as the university pre-law advisor. Several other departments also have pre-law advisors.
 
Most accredited law schools require that applicants complete the Law School Admission Test. The LSAT is typically given in September, December, February, and June at one or more testing centers in the Bay Area. Pre-law students should obtain LSAT registration materials and law school applications early in their senior year. Copies of these materials can be secured from the Office of Assessment and Testing Services and from the Department of Political Science. The Political Science department library has a copy of the Law School Guidebook and many law school catalogs.
Minor Requirements
The minor consists of 24 units of Political Science courses of which at least 16 units must be in upper division. The purpose of the Minor in Political Science is to provide a general background in political science to complement majors in such areas as business administration, environmental studies, science, humanities, and the other social sciences. The student should consult with a Political Science department advisor or the chairperson in selecting courses.
Political Science Option: Liberal Studies
Area VII, Credential Track, or Area VI, General Track (24 units)
1.  Four (4) units from the following:
POSC 1201or its equivalent
 
2.  Twenty (20) additional Political Science units of which sixteen (16) must be upper division
Political Science Department - 4092 Meiklejohn Hall, CSUEB, Hayward, CA 94542 (510) 885-3221
 Webmaster E-mail