Division: Social Sciences
Politics (as conflict or struggle over decisions of leadership and policy) happens between nations, within nations, and within the minds of people within nations. It affects almost every aspect of our lives, from the warming of our environment, to the cost of education and health care, to our attitudes toward each other. In the discipline of Political Science, we investigate the nature, causes and consequences of politics. Students will acquire skills to think critically, communicate political ideas, and become more active, informed citizens.
Contact Information
Political Science Faculty Contact
Amy Vega-Pritchett | amyp@cos.edu
Juan Arzola | juana@cos.edu
Randy Villegas, Ph.D. | randyv@cos.edu
Social Sciences Division Chair
Marla Prochnow | (559) 730-3723 | marlap@cos.edu
Kern: 730D | Visalia Campus
Dean of Business, Social Science, and Consumer Family Studies
Jesse Wilcoxson, Ed.D. | (559) 737-6281 | jessew@cos.edu
Kern: 716 | Visalia Campus
For a complete list of courses and descriptions visit: COURSES
POLS 005 Federal, State and Local Government
3 unit(s)
POLS 005 is an introduction to the principles and problems of national, state, and local government with particular emphasis on the Constitution of the United States and the state and local government of California. (C-ID POLS110)
POLS 006 Comparative Politics
3 unit(s)
A comparative analysis of different kinds of political systems, including their history, political institutions, processes and policies, the environments in which they occur, and their consequences. Also included in this course is an analysis of the dynamics of political change and its relationship to economic and social development. (C-ID POLS130)
POLS 008 International Relations
3 unit(s)
This course is a study of relations among nations including the function of power, diplomacy, international law and organizations and economic factors. Special emphasis will be placed on such concepts as war, nationalism, imperialism, ideological conflict and collective security and how these concepts affect American foreign policy.
POLS 010 California Government and Politics
1 unit(s)
Introduction to the structure and function of California state government. Satisfies California state and local government requirement for students who have taken Federal, State, and Local Government without a California component or who receive Advanced Placement credit for American Government.
POLS 011 Political Theory and Thought
3 unit(s)
This course provides for an examination of various theoretical approaches to politics and of basic political problems and proposed solutions. Additionally, the course includes an analysis of selected political theories and of the relevance of theory to contemporary problems.
POLS 012 Introduction to Political Science
3 unit(s)
An introduction to political science designed to familiarize students with basic political concepts, political ideologies, political systems, and subfields within the political science major.
POLS 013 Introduction to the Politics of Race and Gender
3 unit(s)
This course is an introduction to the politics of race and gender. Using intersectionality as a framework, the course offers an overview of the political representation, identity, status, and power of Women, Native Americans, African Americans, Latina/o Americans, and Asian Americans.
Political Science
Vega-Pritchett, Amy
B.A., University Of California, San Diego
M.A., California State University, Long Beach
Arzola, Juan
A.A., A.S., College Of The Sequoias
B.A., University Of California, Los Angeles
M.A., California State University, Fresno
Villegas, Randy, Ph.D.
A.A., Bakersfield College
B.A., California State University, Bakersfield
M.A., University of California, Santa Cruz
Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz