San Jose State University : Political Science

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Study Planner

This is a study planner for the basic Political Science major, providing preparation for a broad range of      
careers and maximizing your choice of courses.  Students may follow this basic major or focuson a particular     
area of political science such as international relations, public administration, political thought, practical      
politics or the law.  Each focus is described in a separate information sheet.  Check them out and talk to the     
advisor for the focus that interest you if you wish, but please note that a focus is not required.  Following     
this worksheet will satisfy all the requirements for the major in political science.     
             
BE ADVISED:  You should plan your courses with a faculty advisor as early in your studies as possible and      
meet with your advisor at least once a year.  You  may choose any member of the Political Science Department     
as your advisor, but pick one soon and consult regularly.       
             
 REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR  (42 units)
     
             
LOWER DIVISION REQUIRED COURSES (12 units)       
             
     CompletedCompleted      
     SJSUElsewhereGradeUnits    
PolS 001 or 101  American Government         
PolS 002  Introduction to Comparative Politics        
PolS 003  Introduction to Political Thought        
PolS 004  Introduction to International Relations         
             
UPPER DIVISION (30 Units)         
             
195A Political Inquiry (3 units)  GradeUnits      
(should be taken junior year)           
             
             
One course from each of four major fields of Political Science  (12 units)     
             
Major Field : U.S. Government and PoliticsCourseGradeUnits     
(PolS 001 or 101 is essential preparation)          
One course from PolS 102,103,105,106,107,108,114,122, or 130       
             
             
Major Field: Comparative Politics         
(PolS 002 is essential preparation)  CourseGradeUnits     
One course from PolS 140-149          
             
             
Major Field: International Relations         
(PolS 004 is essential preparation)  CourseGradeUnits     
One course from PolS 152-156          
             
             
Major Field: Political Thought          
(PolS 003 is essential preparation)  CourseGradeUnits     
One course from PolS 160A-163         
             
             
Other Courses (12 units)          
Four additional courses from PolS 102-199CourseGradeUnits     
(students who declared their major before F99         
need only three additional courses.)          
             
             
             
             
             
Required Capstone Course (3 units)*CourseGradeUnits     
PolS 190 Senior Seminar            
Prerequisites: Senior Standing and 100W         
Optional Honors Thesis (1 unit)         
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in 190, 3.2 overall GPA, 3.5 GPA in Political Science     
             
             
 
UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS
      
             
GENERALEDUCATION and PHYSICALEDUCATION (53 Units)            
             
•  Physical Education (2 units)          
             
•  Core GE (39 units)  PolS 002, 003, 004, and 020 and History/PolS 15AB fulfill various GE requirements.      
PolS 002, 003, and 004 also fulfill requirements for major. For details on GE requirements,     
see the Schedule of Classes and also the "Sample Program" for Lower Division Political Science     
Majors," available outside Clark Hall Suite 471.         
             
•   American Institutions (6 units) PolS 001 or 101 and History 20AB or 170;or History/PolS 15AB      
             
•   Advanced GE (12 units)  PolS 100W, 120 and 150 fulfill GE requirements.  Either PolS 120 or 150 may be     
counted for both GE and the Major.  Consult an advisor to minimize units and for courses most     
appropriate for political science majors.         
             
             
 PolS 100W Writing Workshop GradeUnits      
 (should be taken junior year)         
  (prerequisite to 190)          
             
ELECTIVES (19-28 units)          
             
•    Students may choose any course offered by the university as electives.  These may include      
     additional political science classes or a  minor. Consult an advisor for suggestions.     
             
GOTCHA! To avoid problems when you apply for graduation, please be aware of these university       
requirements: A minimum of 40 units must be upper division.  A minimum of 30 units must be      
earned at SJSU ( 24 of these must be upper division and 12 must be in political science).     
Also, while you may take 120 & 150 for major credit, only one of the two may be counted for your      
upper division GE.           
             

               TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE: 120

     

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