Examines the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. system of governments and the ideas and values on which they are based. Fulfills state code requirements for U.S. Constitution and California State and Local Government. Students who believe they have a good fundamental knowledge of the institutions of American Government are encouraged to consider a designated upper division course to fulfill the state requirement.

Explores some of the most influential works of politics and political writing in American history, and challenges contemporary analysis of political institutions and processes. Examines the structure of the Constitution, issues of federalism, the growth of civil rights, and the processes of government, with a comparative element. Explores the unique characteristics of California state politics.

Examination of the ideas of various authors about governing and being governed. Topics include: the scope and limits of freedom, the causes and characteristics of the state, the content of politics, the nature of authority, the problems of power and the duty to obey.

Basic introduction to global politics focusing on a broad range of issues and problems relating to conflict and cooperation among nations, and on similarities and differences among nations' governmental institutions, structures and processes.

Examines the foundations of scientific research methodology in political and social science. Designed to introduce students to the basic conceptual, observational and analytical methods of empirical research in political science and related social sciences.

History of political theory, covering some important thinkers and topics during the Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern periods.

History of political theory, covering some important thinkers and topics from the Early Modern period to the early 20th century.

Current issues in political thought, with emphasis upon developments in the political philosophies of democracy, fascism, communism, conservatism, liberalism. Ideas are analyzed with reference to assumptions on which they are based and their relevance for political institutions and problems.

Assessment of ideas that are central to the development of an American political tradition, as those ideas influence government at the federal, state and local levels. Meets the state requirements in U.S. Constitution and California State and Local Government.

Introduction to basic questions of democracy. Draws on classical and contemporary writings to explore what democracy means and various forms of democratic government, politics, and culture: direct, representative, liberal, republican, pluralist, elitist. Specific topics may include: definitions of democracy, justifications for democracy, arguments for increasing or limiting democratic participation, tasks of political representatives, democratization of social institutions, and the relationship between globalization and democracy.

Systematically and analytically introduces the predominant political trends and concepts presently entertained and harbored in the Black Community. A necessary adjunct to this dialogue is the racist theme in American society since on balance this is the matrix out of which the political alternatives and concepts grew.

Cross Listed: ETHN 117; only one may be counted for credit.

In-depth studies of thinkers who have both shaped and reflected on the shaping of the modern world. For example, Lewis Mumford, Erich Fromm, Michael Harrington, C.B. MacPherson, Leo Strauss, Norman O. Brown.

Basic junior level course in Public Law. A study of leading decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court and other materials pertaining to the power of Congress, the President and the Judiciary; relations between states and nation; and civil rights. Considers such topics as the separation of powers, judicial review, Congress, and the President.

Prerequisite: GOVT 1 or equivalent.

Basic junior level course in Public Law. A study of rights and immunities under the U.S. Constitution: examines leading decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court and other materials pertaining to freedom of expression, freedom of association, equality and due process of law.

Prerequisite: GOVT 1 or equivalent.

While tracing the evolution of historical antecedents, centers upon modern literature in the field. The scope is broad and the problems vary, but among the areas to be studied are: 1) Is international law really law?; 2) historical foundations; 3) international legal institutions and structures; 4) supra-legal international orders, structures, and institutions and their meaning to international law; 5) world order and world law; and 6) an international "Bill of Rights."

Prerequisite: GOVT 1 or equivalent.

Introduction to environmental law, including: the evolution of environmental legislation, environmental issues in the court system, environmental regulation and administrative law and environmental torts. Emphasis is on understanding legal process and the special challenges environmental problems present to the legal system.

Prerequisite: ENVS 110 or ENVS 111, or consent of instructor.

Cross Listed: ENVS 128; only one may be counted for credit.

Basic junior-level course in International Relations. Current international tensions; the motivating forces influencing world politics; and the role of diplomacy and international organizations in resolving conflicts.

Examines human efforts to create supranational organizations to promote world peace and prosperity. The focus will be on social, political, and economic activities and problems which have developed and proliferated since the end of the second World War.

Prerequisite: GOVT 1 or equivalent.

Analyzes U.S. security policy, looking at the structure and ideologies of the security system, the requirements of national defense, and the roles played by conventional and nuclear weapons in protecting and promoting American security.

Concerned with the relationship of mass media to war and the possibilities for peace, with emphasis on recent concepts of political communication.

Cross Listed: JOUR 134; only one may be counted for credit.

Analyzes the interaction between politics and economics at the international level. Covers basic theoretical approaches; historical evolution of international economy; creation and role of international financial institutions; development issues; globalization and integration.

Seminar experience for upper level Government and International Relations concentration majors. Students will prepare for and participate in a national intercollegiate model UN conference.

Note: Course repeatable with instructor permission.

Prerequisite: Junior status or above, a minimum 3.0 GPA in the major, GOVT 130 and/or GOVT 140, or instructor permission.

Survey of the field of comparative government and politics including a review of historic uses of comparison in political science research but with emphasis on the methods of study and analytical means of research currently employed. The subject matter of study: national political systems of all types and the component parts of political systems will be an integral feature.

Prerequisite: GOVT 1 or equivalent.

Survey of the governmental institutions and the political processes in the region, with emphasis on the problems of social change. Focuses on the colonial situation, the growth of nationalism, the revolution of rising expectations, Islamic political theory and its contemporary manifestations, the role of the military, and the current regional conflicts.

Federal system of government; the U.S. Constitution; legislative, executive, and judicial processes; political parties, interest groups, and the relationships and obligations of citizens to their government(s). Fulfills the California state graduation and credential requirements for U.S. Constitution and California State and Local Government. May be substituted for GOVT 1, but may not be used as an elective toward the major.

Examines the development of the Presidency as an institution; sources and uses of presidential power in contemporary politics; the President's relationship with Congress and the bureaucracy; and current issues relating to the office.

Prerequisite: GOVT 1 or equivalent.

Examination and analysis of the institutions, the people and the behavior that make up the legislative process. Considers the nature of representation and the role and impact of such factors as committee structure, political parties, interest groups, and others on public policy. Focus is on both the U.S. Congress and the California State Legislature.

Prerequisite: GOVT 1 or equivalent.

Traces the development of the relationship between business and government in the U.S., especially in relation to state and federal regulations of those industries. Examines how individual entrepreneurs and regulators have contributed to the development of the modern American political economy.

Cross Listed: HIST 164; only one may be counted for credit.

Examines the phenomenon of political underrepresentation in the U.S.A. It will identify significant affected groupings, examine the conditions which have resulted in such underrepresentation, evaluate the effects of underrepresentation on the lives of affected groups, and consider relevant political strategies. Emphasis on particular groups may vary with instructor.

Prerequisite: GOVT 1 or equivalent, and GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X.

Provides a broad overview of the politics of gay rights in the United States. Particular emphasis is placed on gay rights at the state level (where the vast majority of policy is made) and major legal strategies and court rulings affecting the gay rights movement, since judiciaries have been the main venue for advancing gay rights arguments.

Prerequisite: GOVT 1 or GOVT 150.

Examines the policy development process in the U.S. by exploring the ideological predispositions of the American public, the analytical approaches applied to policy development and assessment, and the institutional and political environment in which policy is made. Typically, the understanding derived from this examination is applied to several policy issues of current interest.

Prerequisite: GOVT 1 or equivalent, and (GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 70+, or at least a C- in ENGL 109M/W).

California state, city and county politics and government. Comparisons with governments in other states. Meets State requirements in California State and Local Governments. Permits students who have fulfilled U.S. Constitution requirement in another state to meet graduation requirements for California State and Local Governments.

Open to selected students from each of the 20 CSU campuses, the Sacramento Semester program provides students with an opportunity to spend the semester studying and working directly in California State government. Participating students work as interns at the State Capitol for 25 or more hours each week. Interns are placed in legislators' offices, with legislative committees, party caucuses, lobbyists and interest groups, or in various executive, administrative, and judicial agencies. In addition to the internships, students participate in an academic seminar, California Government and Politics. The seminars frequently include as resource persons individuals who work in key policy-making positions in the state government.

Open to selected students from each of the 20 CSU campuses, the Sacramento Semester program provides students with an opportunity to spend the semester studying and working directly in California State government. Participating students work as interns at the State Capitol for 25 or more hours each week. Interns are placed in legislators' offices, with legislative committees, party caucuses, lobbyists and interest groups, or in various executive, administrative, and judicial agencies. In addition to the internships, students participate in an academic seminar, California Government and Politics. The seminars frequently include as resource persons individuals who work in key policy-making positions in the state government.

Prerequisite: GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a C- in ENGL 109 M/W. Minimum GPA of 2.5 (both in the major and overall).

Prerequisite: Minimum GPA of 2.5 (both in the major and overall).

Prerequisite: GWAR certification before Fall 09, WPJ score of 70+, or at least a C- in ENGL 109 M/W.

Provides individualized learning opportunities (1-3 units per semester) for engaging in peer advising along with elective activities such as tutoring, assisting faculty with research, event planning and other activities of a comparable nature. Students should be upper division students or graduate students. The units may not be applied towards unit requirement of the Government major, Government IR and Government/Journalism.

Note: May be repeated once for credit

Prerequisite: Instructor permission

Provides opportunity for lower division students, students on probation, and newly declared majors to be mentored by more advanced upper division students or graduate students. This peer advising will help students meet academic deadlines, achieve academic success, become engaged in campus activities and integrated into the Government Department. Units may not be applied towards unit requirement of the Government major, Government IR and Government/Journalism

Note: May be repeated once with department chair permission

Prerequisite: Instructor permission

Permits a student to pursue study and research in an area not otherwise available through the regular curriculum. Open only to upper division Government majors with at least a 3.0 GPA in the major.

Prerequisite: GOVT 1 or equivalent, and nine units upper division government courses.

Makes it possible for political theory students to deal with questions which theorists have asked, and to attempt to answer such questions for themselves.

Note: May be repeated for credit with permission of Graduate Coordinator.

Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Advanced study of some of the world's governmental and political systems. May focus on single countries, groups of countries or general categories of systems. Considers theoretical concept and methodology.

Note: May be repeated for credit with permission of Graduate Coordinator.

Prerequisite: Advanced course in the field.

Cross Listed: IA 222; only one may be counted for credit.

Instruments and institutions for effecting political change; parties, pressure groups, public opinion.

Note: May be repeated for credit with permission of Graduate Coordinator.

Prerequisite: An upper division course in the field and/or instructor permission.

Examines state political institutions and processes. Special attention will be paid to how the political variation among the states shapes processes and outcomes. Topics covered will include governors, legislatures, interest groups, public opinion, political parties, and elections.

Intensive examination and analysis of the operation of the State Capitol and the larger political environment of political parties, interest groups, and public opinion.

Note: Open only to students admitted to the Senate Fellows Program.

Seminar will analyze procedural issues and public policy questions in contemporary California politics. Original research will be undertaken.

Note: Open only to students admitted to the Senate Fellows Program.

Intensive examination of state and local governmental institutions and processes. A critique of their current and future viability and an analysis of the problems and potential of fundamental political reform in California.

Note: Open only to students admitted to the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program.

Seminar focuses on current California policy issues through group reading assignments and interaction with practitioners. Students will also prepare a major policy paper for inclusion in the program's annual policy journal.

Note: Open only to students admitted to the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program.

Supervised work experience in an approved legislative or administrative office at some level of local or state government, or in a politically-related organization that is concerned with government. Supervision is provided by the faculty instructor and responsible officials in the work situation.

Note: Open to all graduate students, subject to instructor permission. No more than 3 units of GOVT 295 may be counted toward the Master's degree.

For advanced graduate students who have demonstrated their ability to carry on advanced, independent research. Permits a student to pursue study and research in an area not otherwise available through the regular curriculum. Student must be advanced to candidacy.

Should be taken after completion of all other requirements for the degree. Students may choose from the following options, which they must declare when they advance to candidacy: Thesis, Project, or Comprehensive Examination.

Prerequisite: Advanced to candidacy.