Political Science
About the Program
Students in this program explore politics, policy-making, governance at the domestic and international levels.
Political science students at FRC enjoy small class sizes and individualized assistance from the program faculty. The program highlights active student learning and civic engagement. Students participate in activities such as Constitution Day, proposition forums, election parties, research presentation, campus event planning, and community outreach. In these courses students will build their writing, oral communication and critical thinking skills, and develop a sense of civic responsibility.
Is a political science major for me?
- You want to build strong tools to understand, promote and debate political arguments.
- You want to improve as a writer, speaker and critical thinker.
- You would like to explore topics such as American public opinion, development, global politics, civil rights, social movements, international relations.
- You’re interested in the ideas that underlie the political world.
- You’re interested in law school or public policy.
- And, if you love analyzing the state of world governments, combining historical events with modern conflicts, and proposing brilliant new solution to the world’s issues, political science might be the field for you!
Why FRC?
Feather River College offers a range of political science courses covering the discipline subfields, such as international relations, political economy, and public policy. The program has an active campus presence and involved faculty. Students will enjoy individualized learning approaches and access to attentive faculty. Courses are also offered online. If you are interested in pursing an online degree, these courses are for you!
Upon completion of the Political Science program coursework, students will be able to:
- Identify and define the core concepts of political science and government that apply to the state, national, and international levels.
- Apply research methods and major theoretical perspectives to analyze political behavior, and the role of structures and institutions of power and governance.
Completion of this program can lead to professions in public or private sector in the areas of law, public relations, business, advocacy, lobbying, international relations, diplomacy, and academia.
Visit https://www.onetonline.org/ to explore careers and salary ranges for political science majors.
Associate Degree for Transfer
A.A.T. in Political Science
This program is designed to provide a clearly articulated curricular track for Feather River College students preparing for seamless transfer in Political Science at the California State University. The program strives to serve the diverse needs of students interested in the discipline by including courses in American Government to International Relations. This program establishes a strong foundation for students intending to transfer, and for students seeking to build communication and critical thinking skills that will contribute to personal and professional growth.
The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) student completion requirements (as stated in SB1440 law):
(1) Completion of a minimum of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
(A) The Intersegmental GE Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University GE-Breadth Requirements (CSU GE-Breadth).
(B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
ADTs also require that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
Catalog Date: 2023-2024
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
Core Requirements (13 units) |
|
| POL 101 American Government and Politics | 3 units |
| POL 130 Introduction to International Relations | 3 units |
| POL 120 Comparative Politics | 3 units |
| Math 202 Elementary Statistics | 4 units |
| Total Core Requirements | 13 units |
Additional Requirements (minimum of 6 units from below) |
|
| POL 110 Introduction to Political Theory and Thought | 3 units |
| POL 150 Introduction to Political Science | 3 units |
| POL 140 Introduction to Race and Ethnicity (also satisfies CSU Area F) | 3 units |
| POL 160 Globalization | 3 units |
|
Total Major Requirements |
19 units |
Associate Degree
A.A. in Political Science
The Associates in Arts Degree may be obtained by completion of the required program (18 units) plus FRC general education requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet the 60-unit total. A minimum grade of “C” or better is required in all classes taken for the major. Students expecting to transfer to a four-year university are strongly advised to complete either the CSU Breadth or the IGETC requirements.
Catalog date: 2023-2024
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
Core Requirements (6 units) |
|
| POL 101 American Government and Politics | 3 units |
| POL 130 Introduction to International Relations | 3 units |
| Total Core Requirements | 6 units |
Additional Requirements (minimum of 12 units from below) |
|
| POL 110 Introduction to Political Thought and Theory | 3 units |
| POL 120 Comparative Politics | 3 units |
| POL 150 Introduction to Political Science | 3 units |
| POL 140 Introduction to Race and Ethnicity (also satisfies CSU Area F) | 3 units |
| POL 160 Globalization | 3 units |
| BUS 170 Internship Through Project Based Learning | 1-3 units |
|
Total Major Requirements |
18 units |
POL 101 American Government & Politics
Units: 3
Transferable: CSU (D and E); UC (4H)
FRC General Education: Area D
Required for: AA and AA-T in Political Science
Partially fulills requirements for:
- AA General Studies - Arts & Humanities
- BS Equine and Ranch Management ~ Lower Division
- Certificate of Achievement CSU GE Breadth
- AA Liberal Studies Elementary Teacher Preparation
- AA General Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences Emphasis
- AA Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- AA-T Elementary Teacher Education
- AA-T Law, Public Policy, and Society
This course is an introduction to national and California state government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. Topics examined include the constitutional foundations, the institutions and structures of government, individual liberties and rights, and the politics in government including the role of interest groups, political parties, the function of campaigns and elections, and policy-making. Throughout the course, students will consider important issues facing democracy in the United States.
Offered on-campus. Fall, Spring
Offered Online Fall, Spring, Summer
- Explain the founding and development of the U.S. Constitution.
- Identify and evaluate institutions and political processes at the federal and state levels.
- Discuss and analyze contemporary political issues and operations (state and federal).
- Explain issues around civil liberties and civil rights, related to the U.S. Constitution and court decisions.
- Analyze the role of culture, diversity and ideology in shaping public opinion and public policy.
- Appraise the importance of citizen participation at the national, state, and local levels of government.
POL 110 Introduction to Political Theory and Thought
Units: 3
Transferable: CSU
FRC General Education: Area D
Required for: AA and AA-T in Political Science
Partially fulills requirements for:
- AA and AAT in Sociology
- AA General Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences Emphasis
- AA Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
This course is an introduction to classical and contemporary political thought and theory. This course traces the history of philosophical debates over freedom, economics, and citizenship. Students in this course will examine theories and ideas from Aristotle, Locke, Marx and Engels, Arendt, Pericles, Plato, Hobbes, Madison, Jefferson, Hegel, Debs, and more. Students will use these theoretical approaches to politics to examine basic political problems and proposed solutions. Students will learn to think and discuss critically, about both classic and modern issues in politics, such as debates over individual versus community rights, freedom, equality and distributional justice, environmental sustainability, the "rights" of nature and non-human life, power, sovereignty and the state, etc.
Contact program faculty regarding when this course is offered.
By the end of this course, a student will be able to:
- Evaluate the study of political theory as a means for understanding important political phenomena.
- Analyze political theory and explain its relevance to contemporary issues.
- Assess the historical and social contexts of political theories.
- Compare and contrast defining elements of various political theories.
- Analyze the different assumptions and values about "human nature" and "reality" embedded in various political theories and examine the way these premises shape questions and conclusions.
- Evaluate the contribution of various political theories to our comprehensive understanding of political life and political institutions.
POL 120 Comparative Politics
Units:3
FRC General Education: Area D
Required for: AA and AA-T in Political Science
This course introduces students to comparative analyses used to examine different political systems in the world. This includes looking into the history, political institutions, processes and policies in developed and developing world contexts.
Offered on campus every other spring. POL majors should contact the program faculty and their academic advisor about course offering.
- Explain international relations theory.
- Identify international institutions.
- Describe the roles of national and international institutions, transnational, and non-state/sub-national actors.
- Analyze key topics and events in international relations by applying relevant theoretical lenses and concepts.
- Appraise the impact of national and international popular political movements on international relations.
POL 140 Introduction to Race & Ethnicity (cross listed as ETHN 140 and SOC 140)
Units: 3
Transferable: CSU (Area D and Area F), IGETC (Area 4)
FRC General Education: Area D
Required: AA and AA-T in Sociology
Partially fulfills requirements for:
- AA and AA-T in Sociology
- AA in General Studies, Arts & Humanities
- Certificate of Achievement CSU GE Breadth
- AA-T Social Justice Studies
- AA Education: Liberal Studies Elementary Teacher Preparation
- AA General Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences Emphasis
- AA History
- AA Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- AA-T Law, Public Policy, and Society
This course is an introduction to sociological and political approaches to race, and ethnicity, and an examination of the cultural, political, and economic practices and institutions that support or challenge racism and inequality. This course explores the historical and contemporary interactions between various racial and ethnic groups, as well as struggles for rights, equality, and equity by using a range of various perspectives and theories. This examination and analysis of power includes using anti-racist approaches to understanding ongoing issues of discrimination and prejudice in order to create a more equitable society.
Offered on-campus. Fall, Spring
Online Spring, Summer
- Identify and analyze concepts such as race, ethnicity, “intersectionality,” discrimination, prejudice, racialization, white-supremacy segregation, assimilation, pluralism, self-determination, liberation, decolonization, sovereignty, imperialism, etc.
- Compare the historical experiences of racial and ethnic groups and their struggles for freedom, rights, citizenship, sovereignty, equality and equity.
- Identify and analyze racial and ethnic interaction through the perspectives of different groups.
- Critically analyze the intersection of race and racism as they relate to class, gender, sexuality, religion, spirituality, national origin, immigration status, ability, tribal citizenship, sovereignty, language, and/or age in various groups.
- Analyze the cultural and institutional factors involved in race and ethnic relations, making connections between local, national, international, and transnational politics.
- Analyze policies and social movements around racial and ethnic justice using the lens of anti-racism.
POL 150 Introduction to Political Science
Units: 3
Transferable: CSU (Area D); UC (Area 4)
FRC General Education: Area D
Required for: AA and AA-T in Political Science
Partially fulills requirements for:
- AA General Studies - Arts & Humanities
- Certificate of Achievement CSU GE Breadth
- AA General Studies: Associate of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences
- AA-T Law, Public Policy, and Society
This course is an introduction to political science that explores the development of political science as a field of study by looking at its subfields, theoretical foundations, and the basic political concepts and methods used to examine political systems, structures, institutions, political ideologies and political behavior.
Offered on campus every other fall. POL majors should contact the program faculty and their academic advisor about course offering.
- Explain the development of political science and its subfields.
- Identify the key concepts in political science.
- Evaluate and analyze normative and empirical approaches.
- Identify and analyze basic political systems and their differences
- Analyze political behavior in international affairs.
POL 160 Globalization (cross listed as SOC 160)
Units: 3
Transferable: CSU (Area D), IGETC (Area 4)
FRC General Education Area: D
Partially fullfills requirements for:
- AA and AA-T in Political Science
- AA and AA-T in Sociology
- Certificate of Achievement CSU GE Breadth
- AA General Studies: Associate of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences
- AA Liberal Arts: Associate of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences
- AA-T History
Students in this course learn about what makes the world so interconnected. This includes historical, political, economic, and cultural processes and structures. Understanding this fascinating web of global connections starts with history and how we arrived at today's global economy. In the 21st century globalization goes beyond the political economy and includes environmental issues, human rights, and approaches to development. Cross-listed with SOC160.
POL majors should contact the program faculty and their academic advisor about course offering.
- Identify the historical and contemporary processes that characterize globalization.
- Explain development using various theoretical perspectives.
- Assess the role of various institutions and actors in globalization.
- Analyze the affects of globalization on the environment and vulnerable populations in various cultural contexts.
POL 180 Environmental Policy (cross listed with ENVR 180)
Units: 3
Transferable: CSU (Area D8)
FRC General Education: Area D
Partially fulills requirements for:
- BS Equine and Ranch Management ~ Lower Division
- AA General Studies - Arts & Humanities
- AA in Outdoor Recreation Leadership
- Certificate of Achievement CSU GE Breadth
- AA General Studies: Associate of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences
- AA Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- AS Environmental Studies
- AA-T Law, Public Policy, and Society
A comprehensive analysis of the laws and policies that affect water, land, air, fire, wildlife, and vegetation in the American West. The class will examine the federal land management agencies (history, mission, policies), and issues specific to wilderness, wildlife, timber, grazing, water, and mining.
In person Spring
- Analyze the effects that each of the laws and policies studied may have upon individual private citizens, and enhance their abilities to be effective as participants in natural resource management.
- Describe the historical and contemporary context of natural resource management.
- Differentiate between the purposes, missions, types of lands, and responsibilities of the major government land management agencies.
Transfer Information
The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Political Science degree is suited for students who will complete their education at Feather River College and then transfer to a four year institution to complete their bachelor’s degree. Successful completion of the transfer degree in Political Science guarantees the student acceptance to a California State University (but does not guarantee acceptance to a particular campus or major) to pursue a baccalaureate degree, in preparation for a career in the field of political science.
To earn an AA-T or AS-T degree from Feather River College, complete the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable units.
- Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum 2.0 is required for admission, some majors may require a higher GPA.
- Complete a minimum of 18 semester units in an "AA-T" or "AS-T" major as detailed in the catalog or addenda. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C or better.
- Certified completion of the CSU General Education-Breadth or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC-CSU).
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