BA: Political Science 2022-2023
Centered on the principles of constitutional democracy, inclusion, participation, and global citizenship, the Department of Political Science cultivates students and teacher-scholar faculty in integrative, research-based understandings of political systems and public sectors. We focus on long-term student success as demonstrated by life-long civic engagement and achievement in a broad spectrum of careers in express service of the mission pillars of CSUCI.
Four Year Academic Roadmap
Fall Freshman
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 103
or
102
POLS 103: Introduction to International Politics, or
POLS 102: Comparative Government3 Major & GE D POLS 150 American Political Institutions 3 Also double-counts with GE:D Major & GE AIR: US Constitution/ State & Local Govt. GE Student's Choice A1- Oral Communication 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE A1 MATH
or
MATH/PSY
201
or
202
MATH 201: Elementary Statistics, or
MATH 202: Biostatistics3 MATH 201 or MATH/PSY 202 is the recommended Math courses by major or any other B4 course. Please check Math Milestone via your Student Center to verify if you need an additional support course.
See catalog for course titles & descriptions
GE B4 GE Student's Choice Ethnic Studies 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions. Also fulfills Multicultural Perspectives Requirement. GE F Total Units
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Milestones
- Complete required Math course(s)
- Complete POLS 150 and at least one other lower division POLS course (POLS 102 or 103)
- Attend Major Fair (First Week of October)
Spring Freshman
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 102
or
103
Comparative Government
or
Introduction to International Politics
3 Major & GE D GE Student's Choice A2 – Written Communication 3 Please check English Milestone via your Student Center to verify if you need an additional support course.
See catalog for course titles & descriptions
GE A2 GE Student's Choice
A3 - Critical Thinking 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE A3 GE Student's Choice C1 – Arts: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE C1 Free Elective Student's Choice Free Elective 3 Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for. Other Total Units
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Milestones
- Complete required English course
- Join a student group
- Complete POLS 150 and at least one other lower division POLS course (POLS 102 or 103)
Fall Sophomore
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories GE Student's Choice B1 - Physical Sciences 3 Take a B1 with B3 (lab) if missing lab requirement
See catalog for course titles & descriptions
GE B1 GE Student's Choice Language 4 Units may vary between 3-4 units depending on language chosen. Also double-counts with GE: C2 GE C2 GE Student's Choice E - Lifelong Learning and Self-Development 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE E Free Elective Student's Choice Free Elective 3 Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for. Other Free Elective Student's Choice Free Elective 3 Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for. Other Total Units
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Milestones
- Complete lower-division POLS requirement(s)
Spring Sophomore
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories GE Student's Choice C1 or C2 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE Additional C GE Student's Choice B2 - Life Sciences 4 Take a B2 with B3 (lab) if missing lab requirement.
See catalog for course titles & descriptions
GE B2/B3 HIST Student's Choice US History - Student's Choice 3 Choose one: HIST 270, 271, 272, 275, 350. CHS 350 is an option however will need to be taken semester 5 Other AIR: US History Free Elective Student's Choice Free Elective 3 Can take Theory, POLS 301/307/308 at the end of sophomore year to reserve electives for later & take advantage of special opportunities
Elective Free Elective Student's Choice Free Elective 3 Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for. Other Total Units
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Milestones
- Complete lower-division POLS requirement(s)
- Seek a leadership position in a student organization
- Apply for internships, study abroad, or a research opportunity (depending on interests)
- Consider adding a minor
Fall Junior
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 300 Political Science Research Methods 3 Take POLS 300 before taking POLS 310 and POLS 499 Major POLS or
GLST
320 or
300
POLS 320: Public Administration: Writing as Public Service, or
GLST 300: Writing in Global Studies: Communicating Global Challenges & Change3 Take either course to fulfill GWAR in the major Major & GWAR POLS Elective
Student's Choice Upper Division POLS Elective 3 Major Free Elective Student's Choice Free Elective 3 Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Can take POLS 306 junior year to reserve electives for later & take advantage of special opportunities
Other Free Elective Student's Choice Student's Choice 3 Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for. Other Total Units
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Milestones
- Seek a leadership position in a student organization
- Meet with Academic Advising for a degree progress check
- Meet w/ Graduate Studies Center
- Meet w/ Career Development Services
Spring Junior
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 301 or
307 or
308
POLS 301: Political Theory, or
POLS 307: Contemporary Political Theory, or
POLS 308: Modern Political Theory3 Major POLS 310 Statistical Applications in Political Science 4 Prerequisite(s): MATH 200 or MATH 201 or MATH 202/PSY 202 or equivalent Take POLS 300 before POLS 310
Major POLS Elective Upper Division Student's Choice 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions Major UDGE Student's Choice UDGE C - Arts and Humanities 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE UDGE C Free Elective Student's Choice Free Elective 3 Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for. Other Total Units
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Milestones
- Explore student research opportunities, Explore Study Abroad opportunities, Explore possible graduate degrees (MPA, law school, etc.)
- Begin graduate school test prep (if applicable)
- Making an Impact Club (if applicable)
- Set up an online presence (e.g., LinkedIn, professional website)
Fall Senior
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 306 The Politics of Race & Ethnicity 3 Can fulfill UDGE-D, only if the lower division GE:D requirement is fulfilled by two different disciplines. Cannot fulfill GE:D & UDGE-D with all POLS classes
Meets Multicultural Perspectives
Major & GE MP POLS Elective Student's Choice Upper Division POLS Elective 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions Major POLS Elective Student's Choice Upper Division POLS Elective 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions Major UDGE Upper Division UDGE B - Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE UDGE B Free Elective
or UDGEStudent's Choice Free Elective, or
UDGE D - Social Sciences3 Take a UDGE-D course if POLS 306 does not qualify for UDGE-D. This will depend on whether your GE:D was met via two different disciplines Other Total Units
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Milestones
- Apply for graduation (Priority deadline – October 1st)
- Meet w/ Academic Advisor for Grad Check
- Meet w/ Graduate Studies Center
- Meet w/ Career Development Services
Spring Senior
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 499 Capstone 3 Take POLS 300 and 310 before POLS 499 Major POLS Elective Upper Division Student's Choice 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions Major Free Elective Student's Choice Free Elective 3 Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for. Other Free Elective Student's Choice Free Elective 3 Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for. Other Total Units
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Milestones
- Attend Grad Fest
- Graduation check with Advising and Faculty advisor
- Complete capstone
- Complete an Internship, visit the Career Center to prepare for the job market, apply for graduate school.