If you are curious about how American democracy works, how other countries’ systems
of government work and how the United States interacts on the world stage, then cast
your vote to become a political science major.
Allan Hancock College's political science program takes on tough questions to learn about the processes and effectiveness of the United States democracy and government structures around the world.
The political science program is ideal for anyone interested in pursuing a career as a lawyer, teacher, activist, government adviser and elected official. This program prepares students to work for special interest groups (from human and animal rights to gun rights) or as a government relations representative for corporations or non-profits. Additional careers include positions within business, journalism, law, and teaching. Finally, students can also continue their education by transferring to a four-year university.
This program will help you:
- learn about government systems and institutions
- understand political culture
- understand the role played by and power of citizens, the media, and money in politics
- better understand the role of government in the lives of citizens
- understand how the U.S. interacts with the world and the impacts of globalization
Suggested Course Sequence
The “Suggested Course Sequence” is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: Placement based upon Allan Hancock College's placement policy.
Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper.
Prerequisite: MATH 331 or Placement according to AHC placement policy.
A study of descriptive and inferential statistics including applications in the behavioral and natural sciences. Topics include classification and analysis of data, probability, distributions, sampling, the binomial, normal, t, F, and chi-square distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, analysis of variance and non-parametric methods. Calculators and/or computers will be used throughout.
Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 101
A study of American government at the national, state, and local levels. Governmental principles, institutions, and their historical development are examined. This course satisfies part of the history and government requirements for the California State Colleges and Universities, University of California, Allan Hancock College, and many private colleges. (F,S)
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
14
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Choose one of the following courses:
- COMM 101, Public Speaking,
- COMM 102, Small Group Communication,
- COMM 106, Argumentation and Debate,
Select one course from this list.
1 unit
Some courses in GE categories B1: Physical Science and B2: Life Science have lab components that also fulfill this requirement. If the course you chose in either of these categories has a lab component, you have completed this requirement. You can verify whether it has a lab component by checking these lists:
If not, you can fulfill this requirement with either of these courses:
- ANTH 110: Biological Anthropology Lab
- GEOG 115: Physical Geography Lab
- GEOL 115: Oceanography Geography Lab
Recommended one from this list:
- ES 121, African American History
- HIST 107, US History to 1877
- HIST 108, US History from 1877 to the Present
- HIST 118, U S History American Institutions Requirement
Or choose a course from this list.
Note: Recommended courses also fulfill CSU US History and American Institutions Graduation Requirement
If you did not satisfy this requirement with high school coursework or an external exam, complete one of the courses from this list. If you are unsure if you have met this requirement, see a counselor.
- ES 120: Chicano History
- ES 121: African American History
- HIST 120: Chicano History
- HIST 121: African American History
NOTE: Students who started at Allan Hancock College (or any CCC or CSU) prior to Summer 2021 and have maintained continuous enrollment are not required to complete Area F for CSU GE Certification. See a counselor for further information.
Total Units:
15 to 17
Fall Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: ENGL 101
Designed to fulfill the critical thinking requirement of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum. Students will develop critical thinking and reading skills, focusing upon induction, deduction, logical fallacies and close textual analysis. Emphasizes skills application through writing a sequence of argumentative essays.
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3.0 |
| AJ 103 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3.0 |
| ANTH 102 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3.0 |
| ECON 101 | Principles of Macro-Economics | 3.0 |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Micro-Economics | 3.0 |
| ECON 141 | Global Economics | 3.0 |
| GEOG 102 | Human Geography | 3.0 |
| HIST 101 | World Civilizations to 1600 | 3.0 |
| HIST 102 | World Civilizations Since 1500 | 3.0 |
| HIST 104 | Western Civilizations to 1650 | 3.0 |
| HIST 105 | Western Civilization Since 1650 | 3.0 |
| HIST 118 | United States History | 3.0 |
| HIST 119 | History of California | 3.0 |
| HIST 120 | History of the Mexican-American | 3.0 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.0 |
| SOC 102 | Social Problems | 3.0 |
| SOC 104 | Social Science Research Methods | 3.0 |
| SOC 120 | Race and Ethnic Relations | 3.0 |
Select one course from this list.
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
15
Spring Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3.0 |
| AJ 103 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3.0 |
| ANTH 102 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3.0 |
| ECON 101 | Principles of Macro-Economics | 3.0 |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Micro-Economics | 3.0 |
| ECON 141 | Global Economics | 3.0 |
| GEOG 102 | Human Geography | 3.0 |
| HIST 101 | World Civilizations to 1600 | 3.0 |
| HIST 102 | World Civilizations Since 1500 | 3.0 |
| HIST 104 | Western Civilizations to 1650 | 3.0 |
| HIST 105 | Western Civilization Since 1650 | 3.0 |
| HIST 118 | United States History | 3.0 |
| HIST 119 | History of California | 3.0 |
| HIST 120 | History of the Mexican-American | 3.0 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.0 |
| SOC 102 | Social Problems | 3.0 |
| SOC 104 | Social Science Research Methods | 3.0 |
| SOC 120 | Race and Ethnic Relations | 3.0 |
Select one course from this list.
1 unit
Some courses in GE categories B1: Physical Science and B2: Life Science have lab components that also fulfill this requirement. If the course you chose in either of these categories has a lab component, you have completed this requirement. You can verify whether it has a lab component by checking these lists:
If not, you can fulfill this requirement with either of these courses:
- ANTH 110: Biological Anthropology Lab
- GEOG 115: Physical Geography Lab
- GEOL 115: Oceanography Geography Lab
Select one course from area C1: Arts or from area C2: Humanities
You can choose a course in any subject that has a 100-199 in its title. For example ENGL 100 or ASTR 121.
NOTE: Not all 100-level courses are UC-transferable. See the IGETC sheet for UC eligible courses.
You can choose a course in any subject that has a 100-199 in its title. For example ENGL 100 or ASTR 121.
NOTE: Not all 100-level courses are UC-transferable. See the IGETC sheet for UC eligible courses.
Total Units:
12 - 16
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A major of 18-19 units is required for the degree. Required core courses (3 units):
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 103 | American Government | 3.000 - 0.000 |
List A - Select three courses from the following:
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 123 | Elementary Statistics | 4.000 - 0.000 |
| POLS 101 | Introduction to Political Science | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| POLS 104 | Introduction to International Relations | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| POLS 105 | Comparative Politics | 3.000 - 0.000 |
List B - Select two courses not selected in List A or from the following:
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| AJ 103 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| ANTH 102 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| ECON 101 | Principles of Macro-Economics | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Micro-Economics | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| ECON 141 | Global Economics | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| GEOG 102 | Human Geography | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 101 | World Civilizations to 1600 | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 102 | World Civilizations Since 1500 | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 104 | Western Civilizations to 1650 | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 105 | Western Civilization Since 1650 | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 118 | United States History | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 119 | History of California | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 120 | Chicano History | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| SOC 102 | Social Problems | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| SOC 104 | Social Science Research Methods | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| SOC 120 | Race and Ethnic Relations | 3.000 - 0.000 |
General Education
Please refer to the "Suggested Course Sequence" tab for General Education requirements.
Suggested Course Sequence
The “Suggested Course Sequence” is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: Placement based upon Allan Hancock College's placement policy.
Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper.
Prerequisite: MATH 331 or Placement according to AHC placement policy.
A study of descriptive and inferential statistics including applications in the behavioral and natural sciences. Topics include classification and analysis of data, probability, distributions, sampling, the binomial, normal, t, F, and chi-square distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, analysis of variance and non-parametric methods. Calculators and/or computers will be used throughout.
Advisories: Eligibility for ENG 101
A study of American government at the national, state, and local levels. Governmental principles, institutions, and their historical development are examined. This course satisfies part of the history and government requirements for the California State Colleges and Universities, University of California, Allan Hancock College, and many private colleges. (F,S)
You can choose a course in any subject that has a 100-199 in its title. For example ENGL 100 or ASTR 121.
NOTE: Not all 100-level courses are UC-transferable. See the IGETC sheet for UC eligible courses.
Total Units:
14
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Choose one of the following courses:
- COMM 101, Public Speaking
- COMM 102, Small Group Communication
- COMM 106, Argumentation and Debate
Select one course from this list.
Some courses in GE categories Area 5A: Physical Science and Area 5B: Biological Science have lab components that also fulfill this requirement. If the course you chose in either of these categories has a lab component, you have completed this requirement. You can verify whether it has a lab component by checking these lists:
If not, you can fulfill this requirement with either of these courses:
- ANTH 110: Biological Anthropology Lab
- GEOG 115: Physical Geography Lab
- GEOL 115: Oceanography Geography Lab
If you did not satisfy this requirement with high school coursework or an external exam, complete one of the courses from this list. If you are unsure if you have met this requirement, see a counselor.
- ES 120: Chicano History
- ES 121: African American History
- HIST 120: Chicano History
- HIST 121: African American History
You can choose a course in any subject that has a 100-199 in its title. For example ENGL 100 or ASTR 121.
NOTE: Not all 100-level courses are UC-transferable. See the IGETC sheet for UC eligible courses.
Total Units:
15 to 17
Fall Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3.0 |
| AJ 103 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3.0 |
| ANTH 102 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3.0 |
| ECON 101 | Principles of Macro-Economics | 3.0 |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Micro-Economics | 3.0 |
| ECON 141 | Global Economics | 3.0 |
| GEOG 102 | Human Geography | 3.0 |
| HIST 101 | World Civilizations to 1600 | 3.0 |
| HIST 102 | World Civilizations Since 1500 | 3.0 |
| HIST 104 | Western Civilizations to 1650 | 3.0 |
| HIST 105 | Western Civilization Since 1650 | 3.0 |
| HIST 118 | United States History | 3.0 |
| HIST 119 | History of California | 3.0 |
| HIST 120 | History of the Mexican-American | 3.0 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.0 |
| SOC 102 | Social Problems | 3.0 |
| SOC 104 | Social Science Research Methods | 3.0 |
| SOC 120 | Race and Ethnic Relations | 3.0 |
Prerequisite: ENGL 101
Designed to fulfill the critical thinking requirement of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum. Students will develop critical thinking and reading skills, focusing upon induction, deduction, logical fallacies and close textual analysis. Emphasizes skills application through writing a sequence of argumentative essays.
Select one course from this list.
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
15
Spring Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3.0 |
| AJ 103 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3.0 |
| ANTH 102 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3.0 |
| ECON 101 | Principles of Macro-Economics | 3.0 |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Micro-Economics | 3.0 |
| ECON 141 | Global Economics | 3.0 |
| GEOG 102 | Human Geography | 3.0 |
| HIST 101 | World Civilizations to 1600 | 3.0 |
| HIST 102 | World Civilizations Since 1500 | 3.0 |
| HIST 104 | Western Civilizations to 1650 | 3.0 |
| HIST 105 | Western Civilization Since 1650 | 3.0 |
| HIST 118 | United States History | 3.0 |
| HIST 119 | History of California | 3.0 |
| HIST 120 | History of the Mexican-American | 3.0 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.0 |
| SOC 102 | Social Problems | 3.0 |
| SOC 104 | Social Science Research Methods | 3.0 |
| SOC 120 | Race and Ethnic Relations | 3.0 |
Select one course from this list.
Some courses in GE categories Area 5A: Physical Science and Area 5B: Biological Science have lab components that also fulfill this requirement. If the course you chose in either of these categories has a lab component, you have completed this requirement. You can verify whether it has a lab component by checking these lists:
If not, you can fulfill this requirement with either of these courses:
- ANTH 110: Biological Anthropology Lab
- GEOG 115: Physical Geography Lab
- GEOL 115: Oceanography Geography Lab
You can choose a course in any subject that has a 100-199 in its title. For example ENGL 100 or ASTR 121.
NOTE: Not all 100-level courses are UC-transferable. See the IGETC sheet for UC eligible courses.
You can choose a course in any subject that has a 100-199 in its title. For example ENGL 100 or ASTR 121.
NOTE: Not all 100-level courses are UC-transferable. See the IGETC sheet for UC eligible courses.
Total Units:
12 - 16
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A major of 18-19 units is required for the degree. Required core courses (3 units):
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 103 | American Government | 3.000 - 0.000 |
List A - Select three courses from the following:
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 123 | Elementary Statistics | 4.000 - 0.000 |
| POLS 101 | Introduction to Political Science | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| POLS 104 | Introduction to International Relations | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| POLS 105 | Comparative Politics | 3.000 - 0.000 |
List B - Select two courses not selected in List A or from the following:
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| AJ 103 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| ANTH 102 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| ECON 101 | Principles of Macro-Economics | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Micro-Economics | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| ECON 141 | Global Economics | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| GEOG 102 | Human Geography | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 101 | World Civilizations to 1600 | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 102 | World Civilizations Since 1500 | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 104 | Western Civilizations to 1650 | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 105 | Western Civilization Since 1650 | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 118 | United States History | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 119 | History of California | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| HIST 120 | Chicano History | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| SOC 102 | Social Problems | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| SOC 104 | Social Science Research Methods | 3.000 - 0.000 |
| SOC 120 | Race and Ethnic Relations | 3.000 - 0.000 |
General Education
Please refer to the "Suggested Course Sequence" tab for General Education requirements.
Programs you may also be interested in exploring:
Contact Information
Department Chair
Roger Hall
805-922-6966 ext. 3427
rhall@hancockcollege.edu
Department Administrative Assistant II
Rose Delgado 805-922-6966 ext. 3334
rose.delgado@hancockcollege.edu
Dean, Academic Affairs
Rick Rantz
805-922-6966 ext. 5203
rrantz@hancockcollege.edu
Location
Santa Maria CampusBldg. C, Rm. 28
805-922-6966 ext. 3732
