Political Science

Course Desciptions

(Source: 2011-2013 Berkeley City College Catalog)

POSCI 1, 3 Units

Government and Politics in the United States
3 hours lecture (GR). Acceptable for credit: UC/CSU
Introduction to principles and the political process of national, state, and local government: Emphasis on national government and the Constitution.

POSCI 2, 3 Units

Comparative Government
3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP). Acceptable for credit: UC/CSU
Comparative analysis in government and politics: Political leadership, citizenship participation, centers of power, and political problems of selected governments.

POSCI 3, 3 Units

International Relations
3 hours lecture (GR). Acceptable for credit: UC/CSU
Nature of relations among nation-states: Analysis of basic forces affecting the formulation of foreign policy, dynamics of international politics, survey of rise and development of the nation-state system, problems of nationalism and imperialism with emphasis on development since World War II, and evolution and operation of the United Nations.

POSCI 5, 3 Units

American Politics and Minority Groups
3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP). Acceptable for credit: UC/CSU
Role and experience of ethnic groups in the American political system: Expression and resolution of political conflicts, contemporary political experiences, problems of selected ethnic groups, proposed solutions to these problems, and practical political techniques for the achievement of such solutions.

POSCI 6, 3 Units

The U.S. Constitution and Criminal Due Process
3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP). Acceptable for credit: UC/CSU
Survey and analysis of people’s rights under criminal and civil law: Procedural civil liberties and rights (defendants, court personnel, and police), concepts of due process and equal protection, search and seizure, and applications of principles and practices to everyday life.

POSCI 12, 3 Units

Contemporary Middle East: Politics of Nationalism
3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP). Also offered as HIST 31. Not open for credit to students who have completed or are currently enrolled in HIST 31. Acceptable for credit: UC/CSU
Survey of economic, political, and social forces behind current Middle East tensions: Examination of key current conflicts in the Middle East; analysis of the role of oil, religious and national antagonisms; and the geopolitical importance of the region in twentieth-century superpower policy.

POSCI 20, 3 Units

Current World Problems
3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP). Also offered as HIST 38. Not open for credit to students who have completed or are currently enrolled in HIST 38. Acceptable for credit: UC/CSU
World problems with emphasis on four major areas of concern: Population explosion, war, ideological confrontation, and disparity of resources among nations.

POSCI 25, 3 Units

Developing World
3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP). Also offered as HIST 37. Not open for credit to students who have completed or are currently enrolled in HIST 37. Acceptable for credit: UC/CSU
Survey of the historical evolution of developing regions of the world: Examination of their infrastructures, political stability, economic development, acquisition of technology; analysis of ethnic conflicts, environmental problems, and role in the global economy and international community.

POSCI 34, 3 Units

Global Political Economy
3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP). Also offered as INTRD 34. Not open for credit to students who have completed or are currently enrolled in INTRD 34. Acceptable for credit: UC/CSU
Overview and analysis of the relationship between politics and economics in the modern global political economy: Evolving integrated world systems, global enterprises and crises, World Trade Organization, e-trade, business ethics, cultural diversity, security and communications.

POSCI 42, 1-3 Units

California Environmental Controversies
1-3 hours lecture (GR or P/NP). Acceptable for credit: CSU
Course study under this section may be repeated three times for a maximum of 12 units.
Historical background of California environmental controversies: Analysis of selected environmental controversies and public policy choices facing California; includes guest speakers and field trips.

POSCI 48UA-ZZ, .5-5 Units

Selected Topics in Political Science
0-5 hours lecture, 0-15 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP). Acceptable for credit: CSU
See section on Selected Topics.

POSCI 49, .5-5 Units

Independent Study in Political Science
0-5 hours lecture (GR or P/NP). Acceptable for credit: CSU
See section on Independent Study.

POSCI 248UA-ZZ, .5-5 Units

Selected Topics in Political Science
0-5 hours lecture, 0-15 hours laboratory (GR or P/NP)
See section on Selected Topics.