Political science is the study of politics, political behavior, and political systems at the local, state, national, and international levels. The topics addressed in the study include global stability, national security, political and economic competition, environmental quality, public policy formation and implementation, international affairs, and conflict resolution. Poltical Science majors get a broad understanding of political concepts, values, institutions, behavior and processes.

The major provides students with insights into the behavior of countries, individuals, and groups as they pursue their interests. Students considering work in related fields such as law, education, administration, government, and business gain basic knowledge of the principles and practices in those areas. Additionally, students who are planning graduate work can establish a sound foundation in political science, law, public administration, business administration, and urban planning.

Students earn the BA degree upon completion of 180 units of coursework. Students can select one of four concentrations: International Affairs, Pre-law, American Politics, and a specially constructed Individualized Course of Study (i.e. Law and Society, Politics, and Psychology). The Department offers international relations and law & society minors for students in other majors. We strongly encourage our students to take a minor in other disciplines and to attain fluency in a second language.

Teaching Environment:
There is a high level of interaction between political science faculty and students. The Political Science Department's 8 full-time faculty members teach a variety of courses in the subfields of the discipline: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, Methodology, Policy Process, State and Local Government, Public Administration, and Public Law. Currently, there are more than 200 students majoring in political science. Political Science students are active in campus politics, the Undergraduate Law Association, and three organizations sponsored by the Department: Model United Nations, the Political Science Club, and Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science honor society.

Students are encouraged to complement their classroom education with practical experience through internships in the public and private sector. The College of Liberal Arts computer laboratory enables political science students to gain experience analyzing data on both microcomputers and mainframes. Advanced students can participate in applied political research though the Department's Center for Practical Politics.

Employment Opportunities:
Surveys of our graduates each year illustrate that the broad-based political science curriculum is excellent preparation for a variety of careers. Political Science students are competitive in the employment market because they have good communication and analytical skills; a well-developed understanding of the dynamics of national and international politics; practical experience gained through internships; and leadership developed in department clubs, campus government, and special student-directed research projects. Our graduates go into the Peace Corps, local government, secondary school teaching, public relations, and graduate school for master's and doctoral work. Over the past 10 years, our law school-bound alumni have been on the law reviews at Stanford, Santa Clara, Loyola, USC, University of San Diego, and McGeorge.

International Affairs:
The study of international and comparative politics, politics of developing areas, and U.S. foreign policy. This concentration prepares students for careers in government, business, and related agencies which deal with international relations. It also prepares students for graduate studies.