Minor in Political Science

Interested in minoring in political science?

Here at CPP, the political science minor allows you to supplement your existing degree program with dynamic and exciting classes taught by experts and authorities educated at world-class institutions. We offer courses that cover American politics, local governments and legal systems, but also international politics and the political systems of other countries around the world. A political science minor is an excellent supplement to your degree and is essential to a well-rounded graduate on today's job market. 

How many courses is the political science minor? 

In total, the political science minor only requires six courses (18 units). However, if students double-count political science minor courses with GE Areas D2 (American Government), D4 (Social Science Synthesis), and F (Ethnic Studies), students can complete the minor by only adding three additional courses to their curriculum. 

How do I declare and complete the political science minor? 

Students should declare a minor as soon as possible as not to lose the opportunity of having the minor noted on their transcripts.

You declare the minor by submitting a request via BroncoDirect and requesting a meeting the department minor coordinator, Dr. Mario Guerrero. You can visit Dr. Guerrero's faculty webpage for his current office hours.

Steps to Declare Political Science Minor

1. Email Dr. Guerrero (mag@cpp.edu) to request a Zoom meeting or visit Dr. Guerrero during office hours. A simple email announcing your intention to add the minor is sufficient. 
2. Navigate to your BroncoDirect (https://www.cpp.edu/broncodirect) Student Center. In the 'Academics' box on your Student Center homepage, click on the menu on the top left corner. 
3. Click on 'Change of Minor'. 
4. To add political science as a minor, click on 'Create a New Request'. 
5. Select that you want to 'add' a minor. 
6. Search for 'Political Science', select, and click 'OK'.
7. You can skip the boxes for 'Minor Course Elective(s)' and 'Minor Course Substitution(s)'. Click 'Next'.
8. Verify the information is correct, and when you're ready, click 'Submit'. 

Dr. Guerrero will be notified that you have submitted a request to add the minor. The request will not be processed until you have set up a meeting with Dr. Guerrero. To view a step-by-step video on how to add a minor in BroncoDirect, click here. 

Students may declare up two minors in addition to their primary major if all academic programs can be completed within 24 semesters units above the number of units required for your primary major.

You must average a 2.0 GPA in all the courses used for the minor over the 18 units.

Should you have any additional questions, please consult the 2023-2024 catalog. 

Requirements for the Political Science Minor (18 Units Required)

Core Courses (Lower Division - 6 units):

These core courses are introductory courses to the major. Students should select ANY TWO COURSES from this list:

• PLS 2010 - Introduction to American Government (3) - Required GE Area D2 course
• PLS 2020 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (3)
• PLS 2030 - Introduction to International Relations (3)
• PLS 2040 - Introduction to Political Thought (3)
• PLS 2051 - Introduction to Research Methods (3)
• PLS 2060 - Introduction to Public Administration (3)
• PLS 2070 - Introduction to Public Law (3)
• PLS 2080 - Introduction to Race and Ethnic Politics (3) - GE Area F: Ethnic Studies

Elective Courses (Upper Division - 12 units):

These elective courses cover specific topics in depth. This list organizes these elective courses in seven groups. These groups correspond to different subfields in our discpiline. Students should select   ANY FOUR COURSES  from any of these groups on this list:

American Politics

• PLS 3250 - The American Congress (3)
• PLS 3260 - The American Presidency (3)
• PLS 3270 - The American Judiciary (3)
• PLS 3275 - Asian American Politics (3)
• PLS 3285 - Race and Ethnic Politics in the United States (3)
• PLS 4205 - American Political Institutions & Behavior (3) - GE Area D4: Social Science Synthesis course
• PLS 4211 - Voting & Elections in the United States (3)
• PLS 4245 - Public Opinion (3)
• PLS 4250 - Women and Politics in America (3)
• PLS 4265 - Political Communication and Media (3)
• PLS 4811 - California Government (3) - GE Area D4: Social Science Synthesis course
• PLS 4815 - Environmental Politics & Policy (3) - GE Area D4: Social Science Synthesis course

Public Administration

• PLS 3150 - Politics of Public Policy (3)
• PLS 3165 - Urban Adminstration, Politics, and Policy (3)
• PLS 3175 - NGOs and Social Service Outreach (3)
• PLS 4160 - Public Organizations (3)
• PLS 4170/A - Policy Analysis & Program Evaluation (2/1)
• PLS 4180S - Politics of Neighborhood Change: Service Learning (3)
• PLS 4190 - Social Capital: Theories and Application (3) 

Public Law

• PLS 3011 - Constitutional Law - Governmental Powers (3)
• PLS 3021 - Constitutional Law - Rights and Liberties (3)
• PLS 3031 - Constitutional Law - Criminal Justice (3)
• PLS 3041 - The Criminal Justice System (3)
• PLS 4050 - Jurisprudence (3)
• PLS 4090 - Contemporary Issues in American Law (3)

Political Theory

• PLS 3311 - Ancient & Medieval Political Thought (3)
• PLS 3321 - Modern Political Thought (3)
• PLS 3331 - American Political Thought (3)
• PLS 4341 - Advanced American Political Thought (3)
• PLS 4360 - Contemporary Political Theory (3)
• PLS 4381 - Environmental Political Theory (3)

Comparative Politics

• PLS 3410 - Comparative Democratization (3)
• PLS 3420 - Politics of Developing Areas (3)
• PLS 3431 - Ethnic Conflict (3)
• PLS 4430 - European Government & Politics (3)
• PLS 4440 - Latin American Government & Politics (3)
• PLS 4450 - Sub-Saharan African Governments and Politics (3)
• PLS 4460 - Middle Eastern Government & Politics (3)
• PLS 4470 - Government and Politics of the Russian Federation (3)
• PLS 4480 - East Asian Government & Politics (3)
• PLS 4490 - Southeast Asian Government & Politics (3)

International Relations

• PLS 3521 - US Foreign Policy (3)
• PLS 3541 - International Political Economy (3)
• PLS 3551 - International Conflict, War & Peace (3)
• PLS 3561 - International Law (3)
• PLS 4531 - Terrorism (3)
• PLS 4541 - Transnational Crime (3)

Other Political Science Courses

• PLS 3080/A - Mock Trial (2/1)
• PLS 3821 - Politics, Policy, & Pop Culture (3) - GE Area D4: Social Science Synthesis course
• PLS 4221/A - Political Campaign Management (2/1)
• PLS 4800 - Policies of Need and Greed (3) - GE Area D4: Social Science Synthesis course
• PLS 4421/A - Political Science Internship (2/1)
• CLS 4410/A - Judicial Internship (2/1)
• CLS 4820 - Study Abroad: International Fieldwork (3)

NOTE: Special topics courses (PLS 4990), depending on the topic and when you take it, will be assigned to one of the above subfields, and used for credit twoard the minor.