Political Science @ Cuyamaca College

 The primary aim of this course is to assist the student/citizen in the development of a set of skills which can be helpful in analyzing political situations in the world today. In order to accomplish this objective, students will be introduced to the basic approaches, perspectives, techniques and models of the political scientist. Accordingly, this course covers some universal aspects of political stability and change, ideologies, conflicts, institutions, political economy and issues.

3 Units, CSU and UC Transferable 

 Analysis of the evolution of the structures and functions of the U.S. and California political systems from the time of the nation’s founding to the present day. Emphasis is on the dynamic nature of the American political experience and how that experience impacts the functioning of the U.S. political system. The course will also explore the larger cultural, economic, and sociological forces shaping the U.S. political system. In addition, the development and evolution of the U.S. Constitution and policy making role of traditional political institutions such as the presidency, the Congress, and the judiciary will be explored. Finally, the impact of other political forces such as mass movements, the media, the bureaucracy, interest groups, and ethnic and social groups will be examined. Topics will be illustrated through reference to current political events.

3 Units, CSU and UC Transferable

Meets CSU US Constitution and Government Requirement 

 Examination of the structure and functions of California state and local governments and politics. Attention will be given to the evolution of the principal features, organization, and operation of state and local governments within the framework of U.S. federalism from the time of the nation’s founding. Emphasis is on the role of significant events, major ethnic groups, and major social groups in the development of the political structures and processes of California state and local governments and contemporary political issues.

3 units, CSU and UC Transferable

Meets CSU California State and Local Government Requirement

 Analysis of the political systems of selected developed, transitional and developing countries of the world in order to understand the importance of political development, political institutions, political culture, political actors, political processes, and political change for the dynamics of today’s global society.

3 units, CSU and UC Transferable

  Survey of the field of international relations. Students will be introduced to the major theories of international relations and will learn to apply them to contemporary problems in world politics. Issues examined include global peace and security, international political economy, international law and organization, sustainable development, and human rights.

3 units, CSU and UC Transferable

This course is an introduction to the politics of race and gender. The course offers an overview of the identity, status, and power of Women, Native Americans, African Americans, Latina/o Americans, and Asian Americans from an intersectionality perspective. Also listed as ETHN 165. Not open to students with credit in ETHN 165.

This course introduces students to Native American politics and policy from the treaty making process that formed the foundation of contemporary tribal sovereignty to legal cases and precedents that impact Native American lands and people. The course will also explore how Native people have both petitioned for access into the American polity and actively resisted assimilation. Emphasis will be given to twelve recognized Kumeyaay tribal governments in the United States and four recognized Kumeyaay/Kumiai tribal governments in Baja California, Mexico. Also listed as ETHN 166. Not open to students with credit in ETHN 166. 

 This course focuses on the scientific study of politics, research ethics, theory construction and hypothesis generation, research design, conceptualization, operationalization, and measurement of political concepts, and data collection and management of political data. Qualitative and quantitative empirical analyses will be introduced, including interpreting results of regression models for binary, ordinal, categorical, and count outcomes.

3 units, CSU and UC Transferable

This course focuses on public policy, including the policy process: problem identification, policy analysis, strategy and policy development, policy enactment, and policy implementation. The course will examine the application of these concepts to policy areas, such as children, families, and communities, criminal justice, democracy and voting rights, economic and budgetary, education and literacy, energy and environment, health and human services, immigrant rights, infrastructure and transportation, mobility and opportunity, science and technology, and water. 

3 units, CSU and UC Transferable

A comparative and conceptual analysis of the principal ideological and philosophical approaches to government. This course surveys the important political ideas and alternatives which have been suggested from ancient to modern times. A major emphasis of the course will be to introduce and clarify for the student the basic aspects of nationalism, democracy, orthodox Marxism, anarchism, philosophical conservatism, New Left thought and fascism.

3 Units, CSU and UC Transferable 

This course provides an analysis of the politics and governance of selected Latin American countries. The course examines political and economic development of Latin America from independence to the present, structure and organization of governments, political participation, the role of religion, and civil-military relations. In addition, major developments in the area of political modernization, democratization, economic growth and modernization, questions of race and identity, and U.S.-Latin American Relations will be explored.

This course introduces students to the politics and governance of the Middle East and North Africa. The course will cover the political, social, and economic development of specific countries in the region, conflict, revolution, key individuals, armed conflicts, the role of Islam, Judaism, and Christians, and the role of foreign powers in shaping the politics of the region. The course begins with the origins of the Modern Middle East from the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the First World War (1914-1918), the consequences of the Ottoman Empire’s collapse, the rise of the modern nation-state, the role of oil in politics and economic development, Westernization and the Islamic resurgence, and nationalism. The curriculum proceeds to a study of armed conflicts in the region, including, but not limited to, the Arab-Israeli conflict, The War on Terror, and U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East.

This course offers an introduction to American Foreign Policy since World War II. The course provides a chronological assessment of the American decision-making process, key actors, and events in pursuit of American national security, economic, and moral interest from the Cold War to the present era. The course will explore American foreign policy in specific regions of the world including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa while seeking greater understanding of the questions of war and peace, democracy promotion, human rights, economic development, the War on Terror, and the emergence of great power rivalry in the 21st century.