Political Science
9 courses · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
POLS C1000 American Government and Politics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 110
Formerly: POLS C1000. This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. This is an honors course. An introduction to the principles and problems of government with particular emphasis on the American political system at all levels. This course satisfies the state college requirements in the Constitution of the United States, state, and local governments. Enrollment Limitation: POLS C1000H; students who complete POLS C1000 may not enroll in or receive credit for POLS C1000H.
POLS C1000H American Government and Politics Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 110
Formerly: POLS C1000H. This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. An introduction to the principles and problems of government with particular emphasis on the American political system at all levels. This course satisfies the state college requirements in the Constitution of the United States, state, and local governments. Enrollment Limitation: POLS C1000; students who complete POLS C1000H may not enroll in or receive credit for POLS C1000.
PSCI A101 Survey of Current Issues
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Survey of current issues and events in American and/or world politics. Focus will be on issues and problems of political significance, opposing viewpoints in the political realm, analysis and evaluation of arguments, and ideological and political conflict.
PSCI A110 International Relations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 140
Introduction to international relations theory with an examination of national, international, transnational, and sub-national actors and their institutions interactions and processes as they relate to global issues. Study of the functions of power, ideology, diplomacy, international law, and organization, as well as military and economic factors. Consideration of United States, Russian, and Chinese foreign policy and prominent cold war and post-cold war problems as they illustrate concepts of international politics.
PSCI A185 Comparative Politics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 130
An introduction to comparative empirical analysis of selected political systems, including advanced democracies, communist and former communist countries, and less developed countries, with an emphasis on governmental institutions and political processes. Particular attention is placed on the relationship between institutions and behavior.
PSCI A188 Introduction to Political Theory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 120
An introduction to selected political theorists and concepts from Plato to the present. Focus on the Western tradition and its major texts by reading ancient, modern, and contemporary political thinkers to examine their arguments on the nature of government and politics.
PSCI A190 Introduction to American Legal System
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An overview of the American legal system, its structure, and history. Reviews many aspects of the law and judicial process: the adversarial system, powers and jurisdiction of the federal and state courts, judicial review, legal education, the legal profession, and other related topics.
PSCI A200 Introduction to Political Science
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- POLS 150
An introduction to the study of politics. Explores the approaches, theories, methods, and models of the discipline and its subfields to prepare students for a systematic examination of the political world and its many faces around the globe.
PSCI A201 Introduction to Political Science Research Methods
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- SOC A100 or SOC A100H.
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- POLS 160
Introduces basic steps in the research process and/or basic steps in critically evaluating discussions on social issues using a variety of research methodologies. Emphasizes the scientific investigation of social subject matter.