Political Science

Political Science is “the study of public policies, political systems, and political behavior.” Political scientists “study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. They research political ideas and analyze governments, policies, political trends, and related issues.”

Full-time faculty

Dr. Bryan Tellalian

AA-T degree in Political Science

POLSCI 2: AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

PREREQUISITES: Eligibility for English 1A.

The field of American politics deals with the organization, distribution and orientation of political power in American society. This course surveys the processes and institutions of United States national, state and local politics. Among the topics discussed are individual political attitudes and values, political participation, voting, parties, interest groups, Congress, the presidency, Supreme Court, the federal bureaucracy, civil liberties and civil rights, and domestic and foreign policy making. Attention is paid both to the present state of American political system and to its historical roots.

POLSCI 2H: HONORS AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

PREREQUISITES: Eligibility for English 1A or 1AH and enrollment in the Honors Program.

This course surveys the processes and institutions of United States national, state and local politics. Among the topics discussed are individual political attitudes and values, political participation, voting, parties, interest groups, Congress, the presidency, Supreme Court, the federal bureaucracy, civil liberties and civil rights, and domestic and foreign policy making. As an honors section, the class will be conducted as a seminar with individual projects, papers, and presentations. With History 11 or History 12, this course meets the American Institutions requirement to state universities.

POLSCI 3: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY AND THOUGHT

PREREQUISITES: Completion of Political Science 2.

This course is an introduction to the various approaches to political theory across time, issues, and authors. Students will analyze selected political theories, consider the relevance of these theories to contemporary problems, discuss new approaches to political thought, and evaluate the contribution of theories toward a comprehensive understanding of political life and political institutions (A, CSU-GE, UC) (C-ID POLS 120)

POLSCI 5: COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT

3 units, 3 lecture hours

PREREQUISITES: Completion of Political Science 2 or 2H.

This course provides an introduction to the basic workings of various political systems throughout the world, with an emphasis on both the form (i.e., governmental institutions, political processes) and informal (i.e., cultural exchanges) dimensions of politics. Students will engage in comparisons of these political systems using some of the basic concepts of political analysis. (A, CSU-GE, UC, I) (C-ID POLS 130

POLSCI 24: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

3 units, 3 lecture hours

PREREQUISITES: Completion of Political Science 2.

The course provides an introduction to international relations theories through a study of political, economic, historical, geographic and sociological variables as they influence relations among states, international and transnational organization, and other non-state actors. The relationship between these theories and significant current international events will then be examined. Emphasis will be placed on the interdependence of nations in the modern world, and the links between local and international communities in an era of contemporary economic and cultural globalization. (A, CSU-GE, UC, I) (C-ID, POLSCI 140)

POLSCI 110: AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS

ADVISORIES: Eligibility for English 125 and 126.

This course explores national, state, and local governments, the political processes, issues, and policies of those governments, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens living under these governments by outlining the structure, processes, function of each area of government. (Meets the Reedley College government and constitution requirement for the associate degree, does not satisfy the U.S. Constitution, national, state, or local government requirements for transfer students seeking a bachelors degree)