POLS C1000 - American Government and Politics

    Recent Professors
    Roque M. Coral-Herrera, Robert M. Noonan, Lezlee S. Ware
    Recent Semesters
    Fall 2026, Summer 2026, Spring 2026, Fall 2025
    Class Size
    5–45 students
    Credits
    3
    Fall 2026 Sections
    View Fall 2026 sections of POLS C1000
    Transfers To
    UC and CSUCal-GETC Area 4 · IGETC Area 4H · CSU GE Area D8 · CSU American Institutions Area US3 · CSU American Institutions Area US2
    Description
    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. The United States is a contradiction on a winding road of democracy. Its founding principles embrace the ideals of freedom and equality, but it is a nation built on the systematic exclusion and suppression of many groups of people. We will look and find value in the contributions of many different peoples to our government process and that shaping of our culture and traditions. We will closely examine the rights and obligations of all “citizens” (community members) as established by the U.S. Constitution in conjunction with evolving concepts of democratic principles. Contemporary relationships between federal, State and local governments are consistently explored as we continually focus on current events and our dutiful obligation to vote/support our democratic processes. Formerly PLSC 210.
    Usually Held
    Mon Wed 11:10am–12:25pm, Tue Thu 11:10am–12:25pm, Tue 11:10am–1:40pm, Tue Thu