Description

Political science is a social science which deals with the distribution of power and resources through systems of governance. The Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) with a focus in political science includes courses that are commonly required for this major and meets lower division general education requirements at all Oregon public universities.

Learning Outcomes

Arts & Letters

1. Interpret and engage in the Arts & Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life; and

2. Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues. 

Cultural Literacy

1. Identify and analyze complex practices, values, and beliefs and the culturally and historically defined meanings of difference.  

Health

1. Explain the relationship between human behavior and health.

Mathematics

1. Use appropriate mathematics to solve problems; and

2. Recognize which mathematical concepts are applicable to a scenario, apply appropriate mathematics and technology in its analysis, and then accurately interpret, validate, and communicate the results.

Science or Computer Science

1. Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models and solutions and generate further questions;

2. Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner; and

3. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment. 

Social Science

1. Apply analytical skills to social phenomena in order to understand human behavior; and

2. Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse social world in which we live.

Speech/Oral Communication

1. Engage in ethical communication processes that accomplish goals;

2. Respond to the needs of diverse audiences and contexts; and

3. Build and manage relationships.

Writing and Information Literacy

1. Read actively, think critically, and write purposefully and capably for academic and, in some cases, professional audiences;

2. Recognize and articulate the need for information, and then locate, evaluate, and ethically utilize that information to communicate effectively; and
3. Demonstrate appropriate reasoning in response to complex issues.

Entrance Requirements

While this program has no formal entrance requirements, individual courses may have prerequisites which must be met prior to enrollment.

Course Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
General Education/Foundational
Health:
Choose 3 credits 1		3
Mathematics:
Choose one course		4
Oral Communication:
Choose one course		3-4
Writing:
WR 121	Academic Composition	4
WR 122	Argument, Research, and Multimodal Composition	4
or WR 227	Technical Writing
General Education/Discipline Studies
Cultural Literacy:
One course from the following categories must be designated as cultural literacy on the Discipline Studies list (credits count once).
Arts and Letters:
Choose three courses from at least two prefixes		9-12
Social Science:
Choose four courses from at least two prefixes 2		12-16
Recommend: PS 201, PS 204
Science/Math/Computer Science:
Choose four courses from at least two prefixes including at least three laboratory courses in biological and/or physical science		12-20
Electives
Choose any course numbered 100 or above that brings the total credits to 90 quarter hours. This may include up to 12 credits of Career and Technical Education courses designated by COCC as acceptable.		39
Recommend: PS 206
Total Credits		90-106

1	HHPA activity courses (1 credit each) are not to be duplicated.
2	Take another course from the Social Science Discipline Studies list that does not have a PS prefix.

Advising Notes

• Political science courses do not need to be taken in sequence.
• Students pursuing a BA after transfer should consider completing three terms of a 200-level language course. The 100-level language courses will count as electives. The 200-level language courses will partially fulfill the Arts and Letters requirement.
• Students pursuing a BS after transfer should consider taking more math and science courses. Language is not necessary. For specific details, speak with an advisor. It is recommended that students pursuing a political science major take additional social sciences courses to fulfill some of their elective credits. Economics, geography and history courses are particularly helpful in this regard.

Performance Standards

• Academic Requirements:
  • Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.
  • All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Sample Plan

Sample Plan Grid

First Term		Credits
Discipline Studies Arts & Letters		3-4
Mathematics:		4
Oral Communication:		3-4
WR 121	Academic Composition	4
	Credits	14-16
Second Term
Discipline Studies Arts & Letters		3-4
Discipline Studies Social Science (recommend PS 201)		4
Health (3 credits with HHP or HHPA prefix)		3
WR 122 or WR 227	Argument, Research, and Multimodal Composition Technical Writing	4
	Credits	14-15
Third Term
Discipline Studies Arts & Letters		3-4
Discipline Studies Science/Math/Computer Science		3-5
Discipline Studies Social Science (recommend PS 204)		4
Elective (recommend PS 206)		4
	Credits	14-17
Fourth Term
Discipline Studies Social Science (recommend PS 205)		4
Discipline Studies Science/Math/Computer Science		3-5
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	15-17
Fifth Term
Discipline Studies Science/Math/Computer Science		3-5
Discipline Studies Social Science		3-4
Elective		4
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	18-21
Sixth Term
Discipline Studies Science/Math/Computer Science		3-5
Elective		4
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	15-17
	Total Credits	90-103