2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog

Political Science, Law and Policy Concentration, B.A.


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Our classes focus on critical engagement with current political practices globally and in the U.S. The Political Science major will give you the skills you need to pursue a career in political organizing, public policy, government, or law. Learn how to save the world… one step at a time.

As part of their degree requirements, students pursue one or more of the following hands-on learning opportunities: they can participate in Model United Nations, Moot Court, and local internships with government and non-profit organizations.

Our department offers three distinctive concentrations within the major. Students can choose to concentrate in one of these areas or can complete a major without a concentration.

Whether you want to go to law school, work for a government agency, or advocate for change with an NGO, the Political Science major with a concentration in Law and Policy will help you develop the knowledge of the legal and policymaking process that you need to work effectively at the grass-roots right up to Congress.

Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree while at Cal Poly Humboldt may wish to consider the dual degree pathway with the Master of Arts in Social Science, Environment and Community graduate program. The dual degree pathway enables exceptional students to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years. Please refer to the Social Science, Environment and Community Concentration, M.A.   program description in this catalog for more information. 

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree


A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Requirements for the Major (41 Units)


All courses required for the major must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.



Core Courses (21 Units)


The following core course are required for all political science majors.

 

Law and Policy Concentration (20 Units)


Additional Requirement


Complete at least one of the following courses, or all three of the courses above.

Upper Division Elective Courses


Complete enough courses from Political Science Elective Course list (below) to total 41 units for the major. Courses taken to satisfy other major requirements may not be used to meet this requirement.



Political Science Elective Course List


The following elective courses are approved for all concentrations within the Political Science major.

 

Program Learning Outcomes


Students completing the major in political science will have:

  1. Demonstrated knowledge of political theories, institutions, and processes in the U.S. and globally;
  2. Identified, accessed, read, and evaluated political science research;
  3. Critically analyzed social, political, and environmental challenges facing contemporary polities, using support from appropriate sources;
  4. Demonstrated knowledge of the practice of politics through experience and reflection on their experience in relation to social responsibility, sustainability, and/or the obligations of citizenship in a globalized world; and
  5. Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills.

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