Department of Political Science
Political Science
Social and Behavioral Sciences Building, Room 112
(909) 537-5535 Department of Political Science website
The major in political science is designed for students who desire a liberal arts program with an emphasis on politics, government and public policy; plan a career in government service or public administration; seek training for positions in foreign service agencies of the United States government, international organizations or corporations; intend to study law; wish to prepare for teaching in the public schools; or intend to work for advanced degrees in political science in preparation for college or university teaching or for government service.
The department offers courses in the following fields:
- American government and politics
- Comparative politics
- International relations
- Political theory
- Public law
Departmental Honors
Students majoring in political science who have a grade point average of at least 3.0 overall and 3.5 in the major are eligible to receive departmental honors at graduation.
Pi Sigma Alpha
Qualified students may join the CSUSB Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. Student must have completed at least 15 quarter hours or ten semester hours of work in political science including at least one course not open to students in the first two years of collegiate work. The student must have at least 90 credits overall. Seniors must have at least a 3.0 average or higher in all political science courses and at least a 3.0 average overall. Juniors must have at least a 3.25 grade point average overall and in all political science courses. Additional information can be obtained from the Department of Political Science.
National Security Studies
Social and Behavioral Sciences Building, Room 112
(909) 537-5534 National Security Studies website
The Master of Arts in National Security Studies and the Master of Science in National Cyber Security Studies are professionally oriented, interdisciplinary, graduate-level programs housed within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The M.A. program is designed to develop an understanding of the substance and principles of defense policy analysis, intelligence analysis, strategic planning and arms control in relation to the contemporary international environment. Flexibility within elective courses permits the student to emphasize research in national security issues of his or her special interests. The M.S. program is designed to develop an understanding of cyber security and intelligence analysis; the ability to understand and analyze the technical aspects of cyber threats from a geostrategic perspective, and analyze and communicate those threats to non-specialists.
The program is relevant to established career personnel in defense analysis and related specialties, the military services, the civil service, and the intelligence community. Additionally, the program is structured to provide motivated persons holding a Bachelor of Arts degree and/or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution with the higher educational skills necessary for entry into the above mentioned career fields or to pursue doctoral studies.
Headquartered within the National Security Studies program is the California State University Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence (IC CAE) that develops students for potential careers in the intelligence community, national service, or as local first responders through education in foreign affairs, world languages, and security studies.
Pi Sigma Alpha
Qualified graduate students may join the CSUSB Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor society. Graduate students must be enrolled in a political science graduate program and must have completed at least 9 semester units (12 quarter units) of graduate work in political science with a grade no lower than a "B" in any course in their graduate program. Additional information can be obtained from the Department of Political Science.
Current Faculty
M.A. 2008, Georgetown University
Ph.D. 2014, University of Southern California
M.A. 2009, Claremont Graduate University
Ph.D. 2011, Claremont Graduate University
M.A. 2007, Purdue University
Ph.D. 2010, University of California, Santa Barbara
M.S. 2002, Missouri State University
Ph.D. 2010, University of Warwick
M.A. 1992,Michigan State University
Ph.D. 1996, Michigan State University
M.A. 2006, Ph.D. 2013, University of Dallas
M.A. 1991, Ph.D. 1994, Michigan State University
Emeriti
Courses
PSCI 2030. Government of the United States. Units: 3
Political structure and processes of the American governmental system. This course meets the state code requirements in U.S. Constitution and state and local government. Satisfies GE category D1. Formerly offered as PSCI 203.
PSCI 2030H. Government of the United States--Honors. Units: 3
Quarter Prerequisite: admission to University Honors Program
Examination of the political structure and processes of the American governmental system, including study of primary documents. This course meets the state code requirements in U.S. Constitution and state and local government. Satisfies GE category D1.
PSCI 2040. International Relations. Units: 3
A survey of major regions and ideologies of the world, and of the basic concepts of foreign and security policies, international political economy, international law, and international organizations. Formerly offered as PSCI 204.
PSCI 3000. Western Political Systems. Units: 3
Comparative examination of domestic and foreign politics of Western countries, with an emphasis on European states. Formerly offered as PSCI 300.
PSCI 3010. African Politics. Units: 3
Comparative examination of domestic and foreign politics of African governments. Formerly offered as PSCI 301.
PSCI 3040. East European Political Systems. Units: 3
Comparative examination of the domestic and foreign policies of East European states. Formerly offered as PSCI 304.
PSCI 3050. East Asian Politics. Units: 3
Comparative examination of domestic and foreign politics of East Asian governments. Formerly offered as PSCI 305.
PSCI 3060. Latin American Politics. Units: 3
Comparative examination of domestic politics and foreign policies of Latin American governments. Formerly offered as PSCI 306.
PSCI 3080. Government and Politics of the Middle East. Units: 3
Governmental and political structures of representative states in the Middle East, including Turkey, Israel, and the Arab States. Formerly offered as PSCI 308.
PSCI 3100. Classical Political Thought. Units: 3
Classical political thought through a consideration of representative political thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Thucydides, Cicero, Lucretius. Formerly offered as PSCI 310.
PSCI 3110. Foundations of Modern Political Thought. Units: 3
Major political ideas of the early modern period ranging from Machiavelli through Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Burke. Formerly offered as PSCI 311.
PSCI 3130. Modern Political Thought. Units: 3
Major political ideas of the nineteenth century. Formerly offered as PSCI 313.
PSCI 3140. American Political Thought. Units: 3
American political ideas from the colonial period to the present. This course meets the state code requirement in U.S. history. Formerly offered as PSCI 314.
PSCI 3150. Post Modern Political Thought. Units: 3
Major political ideas of the twentieth century. Formerly offered as PSCI 315.
PSCI 3200. The Legislative Process. Units: 3
Law-making processes in the United States and/or other selected political systems. Formerly offered as PSCI 320.
PSCI 3250. American Foreign Policy. Units: 3
Political analysis of American foreign policy with emphasis on foreign policy making in the nuclear age. Formerly offered as PSCI 325.
PSCI 3260. Political Parties and Interest Groups. Units: 3
Organization, objectives and activities of political parties and political interest groups and their functions in modern political systems. Formerly offered as PSCI 326.
PSCI 3280. Judicial Process. Units: 3
Process of judicial decision-making with emphasis on factors influencing that process and concepts of judicial roles. Formerly offered as PSCI 328.
PSCI 3300. State and Local Politics. Units: 3
Comparison of state and local political systems within the American Federal System. This course meets the state code requirement in state and local government. Formerly PSCI 330.
PSCI 3400. Sex and Politics. Units: 3
Emphasis will be on sex roles in traditional and modern political systems, sex stereotypes in politics; effects of changing technology on conventional male and female roles; dynamics of change affecting the woman's place in the political world. Formerly offered as PSCI 340.
PSCI 3520. Minority Politics: Ethnic Politics. Units: 3
Ethnic groups in the American political system. Formerly offered as PSCI 352A.
PSCI 3521. Minority Politics: African American Politics. Units: 3
African-Americans in the U.S. political system. Formerly offered as PSCI 352B .
PSCI 3522. Minority Politics: Latino Politics. Units: 3
Latinos in the American political system. Formerly offered as PSCI 352C.
PSCI 3523. Minority Politics: Asian American Politics. Units: 3
Asian-Americans in the American political system. Formerly offered as PSCI 352D.
PSCI 3524. Minority Politics: Native American Politics. Units: 3
Native Americans in the U.S. political system. Formerly offered as PSCI 352E.
PSCI 3800. Introduction to Public Administration. Units: 3
An introduction to the purposes, methods and characteristics of public management, including organization of public services, roles and relationships of public administrators, accountability and the achievement of public goals. Formerly offered as PSCI 380 and PA 380.
PSCI 4000. International Politics. Units: 3
Selected theories and evolving patterns of international politics as developed within the nation-state system. Formerly offered as PSCI 400.
PSCI 4100. American Constitutional Law. Units: 3
Principles of the American Constitution as announced by the Supreme Court in selected cases. Judicial review, separation of powers, presidential power, federalism and commerce are included. This course meets the state code requirement in the U.S. Constitution. Formerly offered as PSCI 410.
PSCI 4110. The Bill of Rights. Units: 3
Limitation on federal and state power arising out of the provisions of the first eight and the 14th Amendments to the Constitution. Modern developments are stressed. This course meets the state code requirement in the U.S. Constitution. Formerly offered as PSCI 411.
PSCI 4120. Civil Rights. Units: 3
Jurisprudence of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments as articulated by the U.S. Supreme Court. Formerly offered as PSCI 412.
PSCI 4310. The American Presidency. Units: 3
Office and institution of the presidency of the United States. Formerly offered as PSCI 431.
PSCI 4400. Public Opinion. Units: 3
Exploration of causes of political opinions and their role in political participation and government. Includes interpretation of public opinion polls.
PSCI 4840. National Security Policy. Units: 3
Introduction to concepts and principles of national security policy through an examination of topics in international relations, foreign policy, arms control, strategic thought and alliance strategy. Formerly offered as PSCI 484.
PSCI 5000. International Law. Units: 3
Historical basis and present trends in the development of international law. Formerly offered as PSCI 500.
PSCI 5100. International Organization. Units: 3
History, structure and dynamics of the United Nations and other multi-national organizations. Formerly offered as PSCI 510.
PSCI 5200. War and Politics. Units: 3
The study of the origins and political consequences of war. Formerly offered as PSCI 520.
PSCI 5250. Constitutional Interpretation. Units: 3
Examination of theories and approaches to constitutional interpretation. Formerly offered as PSCI 525.
PSCI 5280. Formulation of Public Policy. Units: 3
Approaches to public policy analysis, emphasizing interaction between substance and process in policy development. Formerly offered as PSCI 528.
PSCI 5300. Studies in Political Theory. Units: 3
Concentrated study of one political theorist or one subject in political theory. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Formerly offered as PSCI 530.
PSCI 5350. Seminar in Constitutional Law. Units: 3
Intensive study in one or more aspects of constitutional law. May be repeated as topics change. Formerly offered as PSCI 535.
PSCI 5400. Seminar in Comparative Politics. Units: 3
Theories, methods, and paradigms of comparative politics. May be repeated as topics change. Formerly offered as PSCI 540.
PSCI 5751. Internship in Political Science. Unit: 1
Quarter Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and department
Supervised work and study in public and private organizations. Requires weekly meetings of at least one hour. May be repeated for six times for six units. A total of six units in PSCI 5751, PSCI 5752, and PSCI 5753 may be applied toward graduation. Graded credit/no credit.
PSCI 5752. Internship in Political Science. Units: 2
Quarter Prerequisite: consent of instructor and department
Supervised work and study in public and private organizations. Requires weekly meetings of at least two hours. May be taken three times for six units.. A total of six units in PSCI 5751, PSCI 5752, and PSCI 5753 may be applied toward graduation. Department consent required. Graded credit/no credit. Formerly offered as PSCI 575C.
PSCI 5753. Internship in Political Science. Units: 3
Quarter Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and department
Supervised work and study in public and private organizations. Requires weekly meetings of at least three hours. May be taken twice for six units. A total of six units in PSCI 5751, PSCI 5752, and PSCI 5753 may be applied toward graduation. Graded credit/no credit.
PSCI 5900. Seminar in International Relations. Units: 3
Intensive study of some phase of foreign policy-making or international relations to be developed by instructor with class. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Formerly offered as PSCI 590.
PSCI 5920. Seminar in Government. Units: 3
An intensive study of some phase of government to be developed by instructor with class. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Formerly offered as PSCI 592.
PSCI 5951. Independent Study. Unit: 1
Quarter Prerequisite: A minimum overall grade point average of 3
Special topics involving library and/or field research. May be taken six times for six units. A total of six units in PSCI 5951, PSCI 5952, and PSCI 5953 may be applied toward graduation. Consent of instructor and departmental approval of a written proposal for a project submitted by the first week of the semester in which the course is to be taken. Formerly PSCI 595B.
PSCI 5952. Independent Study. Units: 2
Quarter Prerequisite: a minimum overall grade point average of 3
Special topics involving library and/or field research. Requires weekly meetings of at least two hours. May be taken three times for six units. A total of six units in PSCI 5951, PSCI 5952, and PSCI 5953 may be applied toward graduation. Consent of instructor and departmental approval of a written proposal for a project submitted by the first week of the semester in which the course is to be taken.
PSCI 5953. Independent Study. Units: 3
Quarter Prerequisite: A minimum overall grade point average of 3
Special topics involving library and/or field research. Requires weekly meetings of at least three hours. May be taken two times for six units. A total of six units in PSCI 5951, PSCI 5952, and PSCI 5953 may be applied toward graduation. Consent of instructor and departmental approval of a written proposal for a project submitted by the first week of the semester in which the course is to be taken.
PSCI 5970. Senior Honors Thesis. Units: 3
In-depth research culminating in a written thesis. Written proposals may be submitted by seniors with a 3.5 grade point average in all political science courses. Enrollment is limited to those students whose proposals are approved by a faculty member with consent of the chair. Requires weekly meetings of at least three hours. May be taken two times for six units. Formerly offered as PSCI 595D.
PSCI 6000. Theory and History of Strategy. Units: 3
Seminar on strategy and conflict throughout history with emphasis on contemporary concerns in a nuclear-armed world. Formerly offered as PSCI 600.
PSCI 6010. Strategic Systems and Strategic Thought. Units: 3
Evolution of strategic thought, policy, doctrine and force structure relative to national security objectives. Formerly offered as PSCI 601.
PSCI 6020. International Security. Units: 3
Seminar on international security and the theories that inform our analysis of contemporary national and international security problems. Formerly offered as PSCI 602.
PSCI 6030. Cyber Security and Cyber Warfare. Units: 3
Examination of cyberspace as a domain of war and conflict used by state and non-state actors. Formerly offered as PSCI 603.
PSCI 6040. Seminar in International Law. Units: 3
Survey of the literature and a study of the Law of the Sea, Aerospace Law, and International Regulation of the Use of Force. Formerly offered as PSCI 604.
PSCI 6050. Topics in Strategy:. Units: 3
Intensive study of a specific phase or area of defense strategy developed by the instructor. May be taken two times for six units, as topics change. Formerly offered as PSCI 605.
PSCI 6060. Analysis of International Terrorism. Units: 3
Seminar on patterns of international terrorism and the analysis of terrorist groups. Formerly offered as PSCI 606.
PSCI 6090. International Relations Theory. Units: 3
An examination of the theoretical literature on international relations, including issues of war and peace, foreign relations, and international security. Formerly offered as PSCI 609.
PSCI 6100. Proseminar in Political Science. Units: 2
Quarter Prerequisite: consent of instructor
Survey of the concepts and ideas that political scientists study, how they approach the study of political phenomena, and what methods they employ in their analysis. Formerly known as PSCI 610.
PSCI 6110. Regional Security of Eurasia. Units: 3
Strategic factors in Russia and other post-Soviet states, with emphasis on the relations between the military and society. Formerly offered as PSCI 611.
PSCI 6120. African Security. Units: 3
Examination of security and defense issues of Africa. Formerly offered as PSCI 612.
PSCI 6130. Middle East Security. Units: 3
Middle East security, including its political, military, ideological, and economic components. Formerly offered as PSCI 613.
PSCI 6140. Regional Security of East Asia. Units: 3
Strategic factors in East Asia, with emphasis on the relationships between politics and military factors. Formerly offered as PSCI 614.
PSCI 6200. Understanding Intelligence Failure. Units: 3
Examination of surprise attacks and the problem of intelligence failure. Formerly offered as PSCI 620.
PSCI 6210. Intelligence Assessments and Estimates. Units: 3
Seminar on strategic and tactical intelligence assessment and estimates. Formerly offered as PSCI 621.
PSCI 6220. Arms Control. Units: 3
The background, history, development, and theory of arms control. Formerly offered as PSCI 622.
PSCI 6240. Politics of National Security. Units: 3
Examination of the influence of American political institutions and processes on U.S. national security strategy. Formerly offered as PSCI 624.
PSCI 6250. American Foreign Policy. Units: 3
Seminar on contemporary American foreign policy. Formerly offered as PSCI 625.
PSCI 6973. Thesis. Units: 3
Quarter Prerequisite: completion of coursework and consent of thesis committee
Supervised research. Formerly offered as PSCI 699.
PSCI 6980. Comprehensive Examination. Units: 0
Quarter Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy, approval of department, completion of course work in the masters program and in good academic standing
An assessment of the student's ability to integrate knowledge of the area, show critical and independent thinking and demonstrate mastery of the subject matter. Graded Credit/No Credit. Department consent required. Formerly known as PSCI 999.
PSCI 6990. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing. Units: 0
Quarter Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy and approval of program graduate coordinator or, if an interdisciplinary studies major, consent of the Dean of Graduate Studies
Independent study leading to completion of requirements (other than course work) for the master's degree. To retain classified standing in the master's program, a student must enroll in a Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing course each quarter until the project or thesis is accepted or the comprehensive examination passed. Students who enroll through the university have full use of all university facilities. See Culminating Experience: Exam, Thesis, or Project in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements section of the Bulletin of Courses. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing is a variable unit course, see fee schedule in the Financial Information section of the Bulletin of Courses. Earned units are not degree-applicable nor will they qualify for financial aid.
PSCI 6991. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing. Unit: 1
Quarter Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy and approval of program graduate coordinator or, if an interdisciplinary studies major, consent of the Dean of Graduate Studies
Independent study leading to completion of requirements (other than course work) for the master's degree. To retain classified standing in the master's program, a student must enroll in a Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing course each quarter until the project or thesis is accepted or the comprehensive examination passed. Students who enroll through the university have full use of all university facilities. See Culminating Experience: Exam, Thesis, or Project in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements section of the Bulletin of Courses. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing is a variable unit course, see fee schedule in the Financial Information section of the Bulletin of Courses. Earned units are not degree-applicable nor will they qualify for financial aid.
PSCI 6992. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing. Units: 2
Quarter Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy and approval of program graduate coordinator or, if an interdisciplinary studies major, consent of the Dean of Graduate Studies
Independent study leading to completion of requirements (other than course work) for the master's degree. To retain classified standing in the master's program, a student must enroll in a Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing course each quarter until the project or thesis is accepted or the comprehensive examination passed. Students who enroll through the university have full use of all university facilities. See Culminating Experience: Exam, Thesis, or Project in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements section of the Bulletin of Courses. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing is a variable unit course, see fee schedule in the Financial Information section of the Bulletin of Courses. Earned units are not degree-applicable nor will they qualify for financial aid.
PSCI 6993. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing. Units: 3
Quarter Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy and approval of program graduate coordinator or, if an interdisciplinary studies major, consent of the Dean of Graduate Studies
Independent study leading to completion of requirements (other than course work) for the master's degree. To retain classified standing in the master's program, a student must enroll in a Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing course each quarter until the project or thesis is accepted or the comprehensive examination passed. Students who enroll through the university have full use of all university facilities. See Culminating Experience: Exam, Thesis, or Project in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements section of the Bulletin of Courses. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing is a variable unit course, see fee schedule in the Financial Information section of the Bulletin of Courses. Earned units are not degree-applicable nor will they qualify for financial aid.
PSCI 6994. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing. Units: 4
Quarter Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy and approval of program graduate coordinator or, if an interdisciplinary studies major, consent of the Dean of Graduate Studies
Independent study leading to completion of requirements (other than course work) for the master's degree. To retain classified standing in the master's program, a student must enroll in a Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing course each quarter until the project or thesis is accepted or the comprehensive examination passed. Students who enroll through the university have full use of all university facilities. See Culminating Experience: Exam, Thesis, or Project in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements section of the Bulletin of Courses. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing is a variable unit course, see fee schedule in the Financial Information section of the Bulletin of Courses. Earned units are not degree-applicable nor will they qualify for financial aid.
PSCI 6995. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing. Units: 5
Quarter Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy and approval of program graduate coordinator or, if an interdisciplinary studies major, consent of the Dean of Graduate Studies
Independent study leading to completion of requirements (other than course work) for the master's degree. To retain classified standing in the master's program, a student must enroll in a Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing course each quarter until the project or thesis is accepted or the comprehensive examination passed. Students who enroll through the university have full use of all university facilities. See Culminating Experience: Exam, Thesis, or Project in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements section of the Bulletin of Courses. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing is a variable unit course, see fee schedule in the Financial Information section of the Bulletin of Courses. Earned units are not degree-applicable nor will they qualify for financial aid.
PSCI 6996. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing. Units: 6
Quarter Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy and approval of program graduate coordinator or, if an interdisciplinary studies major, consent of the Dean of Graduate Studies
Independent study leading to completion of requirements (other than course work) for the master's degree. To retain classified standing in the master's program, a student must enroll in a Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing course each quarter until the project or thesis is accepted or the comprehensive examination passed. Students who enroll through the university have full use of all university facilities. See Culminating Experience: Exam, Thesis, or Project in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements section of the Bulletin of Courses. Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Candidacy Standing is a variable unit course, see fee schedule in the Financial Information section of the Bulletin of Courses. Earned units are not degree-applicable nor will they qualify for financial aid.