uc berkeley political science phd admissions

Basic Facts

Every year we get a large number of applications to join our graduate program. And every year we regret that we can’t admit all the applicants we admire. We don’t get to decide how many offers we can make: that’s set by our department, in collaboration with campus officials. Recently, we have been receiving between 40 and 90 applications in political theory annually, from which we have been allowed to make 3-4 offers. 

Every application is read by at least two members of the Political Science faculty, at least one of whom is a theorist. Our “long shortlist” of 15-20 applications is read by all or nearly all of the core political theory faculty. We spend a really long time trying to decide who to admit. 

Our Approach, Demystified

As recommended by the university, we practice “holistic review” of all applications. That means we try to build the fullest possible picture of each candidate’s trajectory thus far, so as to arrive at our best guess of their future potential and alignment with a graduate career in political theory at Berkeley.

We don’t need a GRE score to do that. And we do our best to put undergraduate GPAs in their institutional and personal contexts. That means we try not to over-rely on them. We also try not to over-rely on letters of recommendation, knowing both that the implicit or unconscious biases of letter-writers may be in play, and that they may reflect very different understandings of the task of the letter-writer.

We aim to pay most attention to applicants’ statements of purpose, personal history statements, and writing samples. We read every writing sample with special care, believing it to be the most important indicator of potential to succeed in our program.

We are committed to assessing academic potential in spite of economic, social, or educational disadvantage. Relevant factors include but are not limited to being a first-generation college student, being of low income, having previous educational experiences in an under-resourced environment, primarily speaking a language other than English at home, being a member of a community that has historically been underrepresented in higher education, and being self-supporting as an undergraduate. We note that the University of California definition of “under-represented minority” is relatively narrow: “African American, Chicanx/Latinx, and Native American/Alaska Native.” We warmly welcome applications from members of those groups, while recognizing that other groups are also underrepresented in our community, and seeking to alter that as we can.

In terms of our intellectual preoccupations, we welcome applications from students interested in either historical or more contemporary material, or whose interests straddle several fields or approaches. We greatly value intellectual curiosity, in part because we see the first two years of our program as a time of intellectual expansion rather than contraction—of widening horizons and exploration prior to developing specialist work in the prospectus and dissertation. Moreover, dissertation committees at Berkeley are large: a minimum of four members, often five or even more. Most of our students work with all the core faculty to varying degrees, as well as “outside” members; and we greatly value our collective interactions at the political theory workshop.

For all these reasons, we seek students who are seeking a broad, rich, and imaginative intellectual community, and who will feel comfortable discussing their work with peers and faculty members whose interests may seem, at first glance, rather different from their own. The diversity to be found among the wider university population is also a factor to consider here. Berkeley is a large and phenomenally successful public institution, with a special commitment to serving the remarkably diverse California undergraduate student population, including a very large proportion of transfer students from community colleges. We seek graduate students who will thrive teaching, learning, and researching in this context.

Above all, we as a group seek to make offers to those who we feel we are better positioned than our peer schools to help develop into political theorists of stature and intellectual and (perhaps) political significance, given the interests, aptitudes, attitudes, appetites, and aspirations evinced in their applications. We seek people whom we can look in the eye and say: “This is obviously the best place for you!” If you think you fit that description based on the information given across this site, then we warmly invite you to apply.

Useful Links

• Political Science Graduate Admissions

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Apply to the MPP

The Fall 2025 UC Berkeley Graduate Application will open on Thursday, September 12, 2024. Click here to access the online application .

MPP and MPP/Concurrent Application Deadline for Fall 2025 Admission: December 3, 2024 at 8:59 PM PST.                                                                  

• All application materials, including Letters of Recommendation and official GRE, TOEFL or IELTS test scores are due on December 3, 2024 by 8:59 PM PST. Failure to submit required materials by the deadline will cause your application to be incomplete. 
• After submitting your application, you will receive an email from UC Berkeley's Graduate Admissions Office confirming your submission. You may log back into your application to monitor the status of materials received or processed, such as fee waivers, test scores, and letters of recommendation. 
• We will not accept applications after December 3rd. There are no rolling admissions; MPP students are admitted for the fall term only.
• Admissions decisions are typically sent in mid-March via email. 

Please visit our MPP admissions FAQs page for answers to commonly asked questions and be sure to add  [email protected]  to your email contacts. Messages from the MPP Admissions Office will be sent from this address. 

Minimum Admissions Requirements for UC Berkeley Graduate Applicants

• a bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;
• a satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and
• enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field 
• For more information about the TOEFL/IELTS requirement or exemption eligibility, please visit Berkeley Graduate Division's  Evidence of English Language Proficiency Guidelines .

Fall 2025 MPP Application Checklist

Before starting your application, please review the following application checklist and instructions specific to applicants for the MPP or MPP/Concurrent degree programs. If you have any questions about the items on this checklist, please contact the MPP Admissions Office at [email protected] .  Starting in early September, the MPP Admissions Office will offer virtual advising appointments for Fall 2025 applicants who would like to connect and discuss their application questions. For more details about office hours and admissions events, please visit our Resources for Prospective Applicants page.

Policy Statement of Purpose

Please follow the instructions below for the (Policy) Statement of Purpose essay. These instructions supersede the instructions from the general Statement of Purpose section on the online application.

MPP Applicants -- For the Statement of Purpose, please follow the Policy Statement of Purpose prompt below and upload your essay to the "Statement of Purpose" section of the online MPP Application.

MPP/Concurrent Degree Applicants -- because concurrent degree applicants are essentially applying to two programs through one application, they must submit two statement of purpose essays (one for each program). For the MPP, please submit your Policy Statement of Purpose through the "Program Page" section of the application. Your statement for the other program should be submitted under the "Statement of Purpose" section. Please be mindful of any essay prompts that may be required for your second essay. For additional instructions visit  Applying for Concurrent Degree Programs .

Instructions: The Goldman School of Public Policy welcomes applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a variety of career aspirations. Some of our students have had prior experience in the realm of public policy; others have not. It is helpful to us to know more about your background, your motivation, and your long-term goals than cannot be inferred from your records and references. We would appreciate you helping us by supplying a brief statement of 3-5 pages, double-spaced.

Please address these areas:

The Present: Why do you want to take an educational program in the analysis and management of public policy?

The Past: What experiences or activities bear on your qualifications for this program, e.g., research papers, study groups, job responsibilities, policy or political projects? How do these experiences relate to your decision to undertake the study of public policy analysis and management? If you have been out of school for a year or more, please indicate the positions you have held and your major activities.

The Future: What kinds of work and activity would you like to engage in following graduation, and what are your long-range career objectives? Please supply whatever information you think may help us to understand your candidacy more fully.

CLICK HERE for helpful tips and advice for writing your Policy Statement of Purpose Essay.

Personal History Statement

The Personal History Statement is a required part of the UC Berkeley graduate application. The personal statement should give concrete evidence of your promise as a member of the academic community, giving the committee an image of you as a person. Consider this as your personal introduction to the admissions committee.

In your Personal History Statement, please describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. In this section, you may also include any relevant information on the following:

How you have overcome barriers to access in higher education, evidence of how you have come to understand the barriers faced by others, evidence of your academic service to advance equitable access to higher education for women, racial minorities, and individuals from other groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education, evidence of your research focusing on underserved populations or related issues of inequality, or evidence of your leadership among such groups.

Although there may be some overlap, please note that the Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Policy Statement of Purpose. The Personal History Statement should focus on your personal history/journey, whereas your Policy Statement of Purpose should focus on your academic and professional experience.

There is no page length requirement for the Personal History Statement. However, this essay is generally 1-2 pages, double-spaced.

CLICK HERE for helpful tips and advice for drafting a compelling Personal History Statement.

Letters of Recommendation

Three (3) letters are required but we will accept up to four (4) letters. Your letters should be a combination of academic and professional or all professional. You will be prompted to invite recommenders to submit letters on your behalf through the online application.

The most helpful letters are from persons who have supervised the applicant's work in either an academic, employment or community service capacity, who can evaluate the applicant's intellectual ability, creativity, initiative, leadership potential and promise in the field of public policy. We do not recommend submitting all academic references.

Note: Letters of Recommendation are due on December 3rd. Please stay in touch with your recommenders to ensure that your letters are submitted on time. Applications without three letters will be considered incomplete.

CLICK HERE here more guidance on the Letters of Recommendation requirement.

Transcripts and Grade Point Average (GPA)

Upload unofficial transcripts from all universities or colleges attended, including community colleges, summer sessions, study abroad, and extension programs. Transcripts should list the name of your undergraduate institution and degree conferral date if applicable. Unofficial transcripts for any in-progress coursework during the fall semester or quarter should be forwarded to [email protected] immediately after the course concludes.

**Official transcripts will be required only for admitted students who accept admission.**

For Bachelor's Degree from a U.S. Institution --You must hold or expect to hold a bachelor’s degree before the start of classes from a U.S. accredited institution by one of the AACRAO regional accrediting agencies or a recognized equivalent from an accredited institution outside of the U.S.

For Bachelor's Degrees from International Institutions -- Upload a scanned copy of your transcript and degree certificate for each institution after high school. If your academic records are in a language other than English or Spanish, you may submit translations in one of two ways:

 Submit translations prepared by certified translators from the American Translators Association or the Ministry of Education. Degree names and grades should be transcribed, not converted, into English words or the U.S. grades of A-F. 

 Submit an official  World Education Services (WES) International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) evaluation (opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab) . To electronically submit your WES ICAP, follow the instructions provided by WES. Select “University of California at Berkeley” as the recipient and “Graduate Admissions” 318 Sproul Hall #5900, Berkeley, CA 94720-5900 as the school/division.

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You are required to enter both your Cumulative Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) and your Advanced GPA into the "Grades" page of your online application. Primary weight will be given to the Advanced GPA, however, your entire academic record will be evaluated. We do not require the Major Field or Intended Field of Study GPA calculations. Your cumulative GPA should appear on your undergraduate transcript. Calculate your Advanced GPA using an online GPA calculator tool and enter it as a value between 0.00 and 4.00. 

If your GPA is not based on a 4-point scale, leave these fields blank. This may be the case for many international applicants. If your GPA is not on a 4.0 scale, please be sure to submit a transcript that includes a grading key.

GRE Requirement

Fall 2025 applicants are required to submit official GRE scores OR a Quantitative Resume. The Quantitative Resume is the GRE alternative. Please submit ONE out of the two options to complete this requirement. No preference will be given to either. 

GRE Scores: Scores dated before August 2019 are no longer valid. GRE scores are due the same day the application is due. It may take several days for your scores to be received and matched to your application electronically. To ensure you meet the application deadline, you should take the GRE by no later than early November. Our institution code is 4833 (Graduate Programs). Reservations for the GRE should be made in advance through: The Education Testing Service (ETS) at  http://www.ets.org/gre . 

Quantitative Resume: Applicants who choose not to submit GRE scores are required to submit a Quantitative Resume. The purpose of the quantitative resume is to highlight your quantitative experience in an academic and/or professional setting in the absence of official GRE scores.

***All applicants must use the required quantitative resume format ( CLICK HERE for Directions for Writing Your Quantitative Resume ).*** 

Please note: the quantitative resume is not the same as a traditional resume. There may be some overlap, but they should not be identical documents. Duplicate copies of the traditional resume will not be accepted.

Upload your quantitative resume to the "Program Page" section of the application as a PDF.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants who received their degrees in countries other than the U.S., U.K., Australia, or English-speaking Canada are required to take the  TOEFL  (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or  IELTS Academic  (International English Language Testing System).

For Fall 2025, tests taken before June 1, 2023, are considered invalid even if your score was reported to Berkeley. Use institution code 4833 (Graduate Programs). You may sign up for the TOEFL at  http://www.ets.org/toefl . 

As an exception to the TOEFL, UC Berkeley also accepts the IELTS exam. All IELTS scores must be sent electronically from the testing center, no institution code is required. Tests taken before June 1, 2023, will not be accepted. Your most recent overall Band score must be at least 7 on a 9-point scale.

The address for identification purposes: University of California, Berkeley, Graduate Division, Sproul Hall Rm 318, MC 5900, Berkeley, CA 94720.

Please do not mail any score reports.

*GSPP does not offer TOEFL/IELTS waivers, however, some applicants may qualify for an exemption. Please review UC Berkeley's exemption criteria HERE .

Resume (Work Experience)

Please upload a current traditional resume reflecting your work experience, education, and other relevant information. There is no page limit for the resume. Your resume should be submitted under the "Supporting Materials" section of the online application.

GSPP believes work experience adds tremendous value to class discussions and helps students develop a context for problem-solving and policy analysis. Although GSPP does not require work experience for admission, it is strongly recommended and encouraged. On average, incoming students have at least three to four years of full time work experience after completing the undergraduate degree. 

Writing Sample (Optional)

Submitting additional writing samples, including publications or presentations is not required. The Policy Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement will serve as primary writing samples for all applicants. If you decide to upload a sample, please exercise discretion with page length considering that this is an optional part of the application.

Addendum (Optional)

Please complete this section if you wish to address any specific personal issues that have adversely impacted your academic performance and/or any aspect of your application.

Application Fee

The application fee for U.S. citizens and current permanent residents is $135. The application fee for all other applicants is $155.

Application Fee Waiver: to be eligible for a fee waiver, you must be a U.S. citizen or current permanent resident who demonstrates financial need or participated in certain programs.

Undocumented students in the US may be considered for an application fee waiver if they demonstrate financial need. Visit Prospective Undocumented Graduate Students for additional information.

Please see the Graduate Admissions  Fee waiver eligibility page to find out if you qualify for a waiver exemption. 

Eligible applicants must submit their fee waiver request through the online application portal. Our department cannot process or grant fee waivers. No exceptions.

Note: Fee waiver decisions will be posted on your application status page after submission of the application. Please direct questions to the UC Berkeley Graduate Admissions Office at [email protected] .

Travers Department of Political Science

2024 Summer Courses

Recent news and upcoming events.

Inaugural Melvin Richter Prize Awarded to Alum Shterna Friedman

PhD Alum, Rochelle Terman, wins 2024 APSA-IPSA Theodore J. Lowi First Book Award

Recent publication draws from Professor Pitkin's Theory of Representation

2024 apsa awards to phd alums.

PhD Candidate, Max Kagan, featured in the Science of Politics podcast

Donate to and support the Political Science Department

You can help ensure the department continues to be a leading political science program in the nation, meeting our mission of educating leaders, creating knowledge, and serving society.

Political Science

About the Program

Bachelor of arts (ba).

The Political Science major is concerned with exploring the exercise of power in its myriad forms and consequences. Students in the major are encouraged to explore central issues, such as the ethical problems attendant to the exercise of power; the history of important political ideas, such as liberty, justice, community, and morality; the impact of historical, economic, and social forces on the operation of politics; the functioning and distinctive features of the US political system; the diversity of political systems and the significance of these differences; and the interactions among international actors and the causes of war and peace. Undergraduate courses in political science vary from large lectures of 325 students to small seminars of 18 students. The courses are challenging, often emphasizing critical reading and analytical writing.

Declaring the Major

To declare the major, students must have completed the minimum eligibility and must attend a declaration-orientation session. For information regarding minimum eligibility, please see the Major Requirements tab on this page. Transfer students may go to  assist.org  for a list of California community college courses that satisfy University and major requirements. Upper division courses in the major are restricted to declared Political Science majors in Phase 1 of registration and usually fill before Phase 1 ends, so students should declare, if eligible, before the start of Phase 1 of registration.

Students must attend a Major Declaration Session to declare the major:

• Pick a date from the calendar on the website linked below. Students will be eligible to attend a Major Declaration Session after they have completed the final for their second introductory Political Science course.
• Gather transcript(s) and make copies of them to submit. See more on transcripts below.
• Come early to secure a spot! The first 25 students who arrive at each session will be accepted to attend the session (unless indicated otherwise). Sessions held early and late in the semester as well as during the registration period are usually full. A sign-up sheet is available an hour before the session; there is no need to arrive earlier than an hour before the posted time.

Do not come to a declaration session without all needed transcripts. This includes transcripts (unofficial transcripts are okay) for courses taken at community colleges, other universities, and UC Berkeley. For UC Berkeley courses, students can print out their Academic Summary on Cal Central. One copy of each transcript is all that is required. Academic Progress Reports and Transfer Credit Reports from CalCentral are not acceptable. The department keeps the transcript, so students should bring a copy they can spare. (Transcripts for courses that do not count for the major are not needed.)

A declaration session takes about an hour and includes an orientation to the major and Q&A after which declaration forms are completed (forms are supplied — students supply the transcripts).

For a schedule of Major Declaration Sessions, please see the department website .

Honors Program

Declared Political Science majors with a 3.5 grade-point average (GPA) in the major and a 3.3 overall GPA who have senior standing and have completed at least two letter-graded upper division political science courses at Berkeley are eligible to apply for the honors program. The honors program consists of a two-semester seminar, POL SCI H190A  and POL SCI H190B  (offered in fall/spring only), and culminates in the writing of an honors thesis. Students must also obtain the sponsorship of a member of the faculty who will guide the research. Applications can only be made  online ; please refer to the undergraduate program section of the website. Departmental honors are awarded upon completion of the honors seminar with a grade of B+ or better, a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major, and a 3.3 in overall work at Berkeley.

Minor Program

There is no minor program in Political Science.

Visit Department Website

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, listed on the College Requirements tab, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

General Guidelines

• All courses taken to fulfill the major requirements below must be taken for graded credit.
• No more than two upper division courses may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and an additional major program. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs, per the policy of the College of Letters & Science.
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 must be maintained in both upper and lower division courses used to fulfill the major requirements.

For information regarding residence requirements and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.

Summary of Major Requirements

Lower Division Prerequisites

Methods Requirement

History Requirement

Select one course from the following list of preapproved history courses.

Distribution Requirement

Select at least one lower or upper division course from each of the five primary sub-fields below:

Subfield Specialization

Students must specialize in one of the five primary subfields by completing the introductory course and taking two upper division courses in that subfield (see above).

Upper Division Requirements

Students must complete a total of eight upper division courses within the Political Science Department from those numbered POL SCI 102-POL SCI 189, POL SCI 191 , and POL SCI C196A  (the UCDC program) but excluding PS 110B and PS 179. Upper division courses fulfilling the distribution and subfield specialization count toward these eight required upper division courses. Graduate-level political science courses may also count toward the upper division course requirements.

College Requirements

Undergraduate students must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those required by their major program.

For a detailed lists of L&S requirements, please see Overview tab to the right in this guide or visit the L&S Degree Requirements webpage. For College advising appointments, please visit the L&S Advising Pages. 

University of California Requirements

Entry level writing.

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing requirement. Fulfillment of this requirement is also a prerequisite to enrollment in all reading and composition courses at UC Berkeley and must be taken for a letter grade. 

American History and American Institutions

The American History and American Institutions requirements are based on the principle that all U.S. residents who have graduated from an American university should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.

Berkeley Campus Requirement

American cultures.

All undergraduate students at Cal need to take and pass this campus requirement course in order to graduate. The requirement offers an exciting intellectual environment centered on the study of race, ethnicity and culture of the United States. AC courses are plentiful and offer students opportunities to be part of research-led, highly accomplished teaching environments, grappling with the complexity of American Culture.

College of Letters & Science Essential Skills Requirements

Quantitative reasoning.

The Quantitative Reasoning requirement is designed to ensure that students graduate with basic understanding and competency in math, statistics, or computer/data science. The requirement may be satisfied by exam or by taking an approved course taken for a letter grade.

Foreign Language

The Foreign Language requirement may be satisfied by demonstrating proficiency in reading comprehension, writing, and conversation in a foreign language equivalent to the second semester college level, either by passing an exam or by completing approved course work taken for a letter grade.

Reading and Composit ion

In order to provide a solid foundation in reading, writing, and critical thinking the College of Letters and Science requires two semesters of lower division work in composition in sequence. Students must complete parts A & B reading and composition courses in sequential order by the end of their fourth semester for a letter grade.

College of Letters & Science 7 Course Breadth Requirements

Breadth requirements.

The undergraduate breadth requirements provide Berkeley students with a rich and varied educational experience outside of their major program. As the foundation of a liberal arts education, breadth courses give students a view into the intellectual life of the University while introducing them to a multitude of perspectives and approaches to research and scholarship. Engaging students in new disciplines and with peers from other majors, the breadth experience strengthens interdisciplinary connections and context that prepares Berkeley graduates to understand and solve the complex issues of their day.

Unit Requirements

120 total units

Of the 120 units, 36 must be upper division units

• Of the 36 upper division units, 6 must be taken in courses offered outside your major department

Residence Requirements

For units to be considered in "residence," you must be registered in courses on the Berkeley campus as a student in the College of Letters & Science. Most students automatically fulfill the residence requirement by attending classes at Cal for four years, or two years for transfer students. In general, there is no need to be concerned about this requirement, unless you graduate early, go abroad for a semester or year, or want to take courses at another institution or through UC Extension during your senior year. In these cases, you should make an appointment to meet an L&S College adviser to determine how you can meet the Senior Residence Requirement.

Note: Courses taken through UC Extension do not count toward residence.

Senior Residence Requirement

After you become a senior (with 90 semester units earned toward your B.A. degree), you must complete at least 24 of the remaining 30 units in residence in at least two semesters. To count as residence, a semester must consist of at least 6 passed units. Intercampus Visitor, EAP, and UC Berkeley-Washington Program (UCDC) units are excluded.

You may use a Berkeley Summer Session to satisfy one semester of the Senior Residence requirement, provided that you successfully complete 6 units of course work in the Summer Session and that you have been enrolled previously in the college.

Modified Senior Residence Requirement

Participants in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP), Berkeley Summer Abroad, or the UC Berkeley Washington Program (UCDC) may meet a Modified Senior Residence requirement by completing 24 (excluding EAP) of their final 60 semester units in residence. At least 12 of these 24 units must be completed after you have completed 90 units.

Upper Division Residence Requirement

You must complete in residence a minimum of 18 units of upper division courses (excluding UCEAP units), 12 of which must satisfy the requirements for your major.

Plan of Study

Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Political Science major requirements before making a program plan. For more detailed information regarding the courses listed below (e.g., elective information, GPA requirements, etc.), see the College Requirements and Major Requirements tabs.

This is a sample program plan. This plan assumes that the student has completed the Entry Level Writing, American History and Institutions, Quantitative Reasoning, and Foreign Language requirements prior to admission.

Students are strongly advised to work with an academic adviser to determine a personal program plan. Your program plan will differ depending on previous credit received, your course schedule, and available offerings.

Students could also do the Honors program in their last year, but may need to adjust their 4-year plan accordingly to accommodate the extra workload of their senior thesis by taking electives or concentration classes in the summer OR by taking more units than indicated in the first six semesters.

Accelerated Program Plans

For students considering graduating in less than four years, it's important to acknowledge the reasons to undertake such a plan of study. While there are advantages to pursuing a three-year degree plan such as reducing financial burdens, they are not for everyone and do involve sacrifices; especially with respect to participating in co-curricular activities, depth of study,  and summer internships, which typically lead to jobs upon graduation. All things considered, please see the tables for three and three and a half year degree options.

3.5 Year Plan

3 Year Plan

Student Learning Goals

Learning goals for the major.

• American politics
• Comparative politics
• Political theory
• International relations
• Political behavior
• Public law and jurisprudence
• Public policy and organization
• Empirical theory and quantitative methods
• Specialization in one subfield of political science: minimum of three courses taken in either one of the four core subfields (American politics, comparative politics, political theory, international relations) or one of the other departmental areas that generally crosscut traditional subfield boundaries (political behavior, public law and jurisprudence, public policy and organization, empirical theory and quantitative methods).
• Ability to understand and deploy the methods that political scientists use to answer questions about the operation of politics: causal inference, qualitative analysis, statistical analysis, experimentation, game theory, and modeling.
• Capacity to use critical thinking and evidence to understand and evaluate rival theories.
• Writing skills: Ability to formulate a well-organized argument supported by evidence.
• Oral presentation skills: Ability to present a compelling oral argument supported by evidence to a group or public audience.
• Research skills: Ability to conduct political science research using materials such as primary, secondary, and online sources or databases in support of an original argument.

Major maps are experience maps that help undergraduates plan their Berkeley journey based on intended major or field of interest. Featuring student opportunities and resources from your college and department as well as across campus, each map includes curated suggestions for planning your studies, engaging outside the classroom, and pursuing your career goals in a timeline format.

Use the major map below to explore potential paths and design your own unique undergraduate experience:

View the Political Science Major Map.

POL SCI 1 Introduction to American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 Second 6 Week Session, Spring 2024 An introductory analysis of the structure and operations of the American political system, primarily at the national level. Introduction to American Politics: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 1 after completing XPOLSCI 1 . A deficient grade in POL SCI 1 may be removed by taking XPOLSCI 1 .

Requirements this course satisfies: Satisfies the American Institutions requirement

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 4 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week. Six hours of lecture and four hours of discussion per week for 8 weeks. Eight hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Political Science/Undergraduate

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.

Introduction to American Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI N1AC Introduction to American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 Second 6 Week Session Politics is the art and noise of collective governance under conditions of scarce resources, conflicting interests, diverse beliefs, uncertain outcomes, and unequal power. In 1AC, we learn about the institutions, ideologies, and processes that constitute politics in the U.S. In fulfilling the AC requirement, we further examine how power, equality, and diversity are configured and contested in our politics. The course emphasizes active research- and group-based learning. Introduction to American Politics: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: POL SCI N1AC will still fulfill all the requirements that PS1 fulfills (e.g., major, American Institutions) but now also fulfills the "American Cultures" campus requirement. Students who wish to repeat PS1 and replace their grade must specifically retake PS1, not PS N1AC. PS N1AC will not replace the grade for PS1.

Requirements this course satisfies: Satisfies the American Cultures and American Institutions requirements.

Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Eight hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 2 Introduction to Comparative Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 This course deals with the basic problems and processes that all political systems face and examines their particular expression in Western, Communist, and Third World settings. Introduction to Comparative Politics: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 2 after completing POL SCI S2, POL SCI S2X, or XPOLSCI 2 . A deficient grade in POL SCI 2 may be removed by taking XPOLSCI 2 .

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week.

Introduction to Comparative Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI N2 Introduction to Comparative Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2018 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session This course aims to furnish students with the tools necessary to study political processes and outcomes in comparative perspective. It is divided into three parts. The first introduces the basic concepts and methods of comparative analysis and examines our principal unit of analysis: the state. The second surveys the range of political regimes under which people live around the world. The third examines three key variables that both influence political outcomes and are influenced by political processes: institutions, identity, and agency. Throughout the course we will use a wide variety of country examples, but will not focus exclusively on any particular set of countries. Introduction to Comparative Politics: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Political Science N2 after taking Political Science 2. Students will receive no credit for Political Science 2 after completing Political Science N2. A deficient grade in Political Science 2 may be removed by taking Political Science N2.

POL SCI 3 Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Analytical and methodological problems of political inquiry, with an emphasis on quantification and measurement. Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 3 after completing POL SCI N3 , or POL SCI W3 . A deficient grade in POL SCI 3 may be removed by taking POL SCI W3 .

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week. Three hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week. Six hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for 8 weeks.

Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods: Read Less [-]

POL SCI N3 Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2018 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2017 First 6 Week Session Analytical and methodological problems of political inquiry, with an emphasis on quantification and measurement. Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Political Science N3 after completing Political Science 3. Students will receive no credit for Political Science 3 after completing Political Science N3.A deficient grade in Political Science 3 may be removed by taking Political Science N3.

POL SCI W3 Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods, 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Summer 2023 8 Week Session, Summer 2022 8 Week Session This course provides an overview of some of the methods employed in political science research. Its purpose is to familiarize you with the scientific study of politics, and to teach you how to pose and answer empirical research questions using appropriate evidence and arguments. Along the way we will learn about how to formulate and evaluate theories, how to design research to discover whether a particular theory holds up empirically, and some basic research strategies. By the end of the course you should have the tools to critically evaluate the kinds of social science arguments found in everyday life and be able to conduct your own independent research. Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods,: Read More [+]

Objectives & Outcomes

Course Objectives: After successfully completing this course, you will be able to: * Distinguish among different types of social science methodologies * Solve basic 2x2 games * Describe the logic of the experimental method * Interpret basic descriptive statistical results * Formulate and test hypotheses * Explain and apply bivariate OLS regression

Prerequisites: There are no prior course requirements other than high school level mathematics

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Political Science W3 after completing Political Science 3 or Political Science N3. A deficient grade in Political Science 3 or POL SCI N3 may be removed by taking Political Science W3.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of web-based lecture and 2 hours of web-based discussion per week

Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of web-based lecture and 2 hours of web-based discussion per week

Additional Format: Two hours of web-based discussion and three hours of web-based lecture per week. Two hours of web-based discussion and six hours of web-based lecture per week for 8 weeks.

Online: This is an online course.

Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods,: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 4 Introduction to Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 An approach to the understanding of politics through the perspectives and language of the political theorist. Introduction to Political Theory: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one or two hours of discussion per week. Seven and one-half hours of lecture and two and one-half or five hours of discussion per week for six weeks.

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternative to final exam.

Introduction to Political Theory: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 5 Introduction to International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 This course is designed to introduce students to the major theoretical approaches to international politics, to explore important historical and contemporary questions and debates in international affairs, and to teach students to think critically about international relations. It is a prerequisite for most upper division international relations courses in Political Science. Introduction to International Relations: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-3 hours of lecture and 1-2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one to two hours of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

Introduction to International Relations: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 18AC Race, Culture, and Politics in the Golden State 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2001 10 Week Session, Summer 2000 10 Week Session, Summer 1999 10 Week Session This course will study the historical processes of racial formation and transformation in California. Students will develop an understanding of the dynamic nature of racial and ethnic cultures and identities, and use these tools to better understand their own cultural position. Two periods are studied: 1848-1882 and 1964-1988. The course will consider the experiences of Asian Americans, Chicano/Latinos , African Americans, European Americans, and Native Americans. Race, Culture, and Politics in the Golden State: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Requirements this course satisfies: Satisfies the American Cultures requirement

Summer: 6 weeks - 6 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Six hours of lecture per week for 6 weeks.

Race, Culture, and Politics in the Golden State: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 24 Freshman Seminars 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2005 The Berkeley Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small-seminar setting. Berkeley Seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Freshman Seminars: Read More [+]

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of seminar per week

Additional Format: One hour of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.

Grading/Final exam status: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered. Final exam required.

Freshman Seminars: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 39B Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 2 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2009, Fall 2008, Spring 2006 Freshman and sophomore seminars offer lower division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Freshman/Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Priority given to freshmen and sophomores

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-4 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: One hour of seminar per unit.

Freshman/Sophomore Seminar: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 41 Freshman Seminar 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2010, Fall 2007, Fall 2005 Topics, experimental in nature, will vary from year to year. Freshman Seminar: Read More [+]

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: Course may be repeated for credit with consent of department.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: Three hours of seminar and one hour of conference per week.

Grading/Final exam status: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered. Final exam not required.

Freshman Seminar: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 41C Pathways: Democracy Ancient and Modern 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024 Dêmokratia, democratia, democracy. What did this term mean to the ancient Greeks who coined it, to the Romans who borrowed it, to the early modern Europeans who discussed it—and what does it mean today? Who or what was the original dêmos, how did it rule, and how different is the interpretation of “rule by the people” that now predominates? Starting with the first attestations of da-mo in the 12 th century BC and ending with the recent attempts by Iceland and Chile to reform their constitutions by crowdsourcing and a citizen convention respectively, this course offers a chronological exploration of the idea and practice of democracy, intended to broaden our imaginative horizons with respect to what democracy has been, is, and could become. Pathways: Democracy Ancient and Modern: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Three hours of seminar per week.

Pathways: Democracy Ancient and Modern: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 84 Sophomore Seminar 1 or 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Spring 2004 Sophomore seminars are small interactive courses offered by faculty members in departments all across the campus. Sophomore seminars offer opportunity for close, regular intellectual contact between faculty members and students in the crucial second year. The topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment limited to 15 sophomores. Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: At discretion of instructor

Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 3-6 hours of seminar per week 10 weeks - 1.5-3 hours of seminar per week 15 weeks - 1-2 hours of seminar per week

Summer: 6 weeks - 2.5-5 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: unit(s):one hour of seminar per week; 2 unit(s):two hours of seminar per week. unit(s):one and one-half hours of seminar per week; 2 unit(s):three hours of seminar per week for 10 weeks. unit(s):two and one-half hours of seminar per week; 2 unit(s):five hours of seminar per week for 6 weeks. unit(s):three hours of seminar per week; 2 unit(s):six hours of seminar per week for five weeks.

Sophomore Seminar: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 88 The Scientific Study of Politics 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023 We will focus on the theoretical side of political science. The main goals here are to understand what makes a good political science theory, and to give a brief overview of how game theory and related tools make up a powerful way to construct theories. This side of the class will be less data-focused, we will also see how the programming tools you learn in Data 8 can be used in this part of the scientific process. We will pivot to the empirical side in the second part of the class, we will cover how political scientists and other social scientists think about the challenges of causal inference, and the tools we use to overcome them. The Scientific Study of Politics: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Students must have already taken DATA8 or take it concurrently with PS 88

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Two hours of lecture per week.

The Scientific Study of Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 98 Directed Group Study for Lower Division Students 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015 Lectures and small group discussion focusing on topics of interest that vary from semester to semester. Directed Group Study for Lower Division Students: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-3 hours of directed group study per week

Additional Format: Hours to be arranged.

Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.

Directed Group Study for Lower Division Students: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 98BC Berkeley Connect 1 Unit

Terms offered: Prior to 2007 Berkeley Connect is a mentoring program, offered through various academic departments, that helps students build intellectual community. Over the course of a semester, enrolled students participate in regular small-group discussions facilitated by a graduate student mentor (following a faculty-directed curriculum), meet with their graduate student mentor for one-on-one academic advising, attend lectures and panel discussions featuring department faculty and alumni , and go on field trips to campus resources. Students are not required to be declared majors in order to participate. Berkeley Connect: Read More [+]

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of directed group study per week

Additional Format: One hour of directed group study per week.

Berkeley Connect: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 99 Supervised Independent Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2006, Fall 2005, Spring 2005 Supervised Independent Study and Research for lower division students, pursuant to the Regulations of the Berkeley Division, Section A230. Supervised Independent Study: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Completion of two Political Science courses and a 3.3 GPA

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week

Summer: 10 weeks - 1.5-6 hours of independent study per week

Additional Format: By arrangement with faculty.

Supervised Independent Study: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 102 The American Presidency 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Analysis of principal institutions, functions, and problems of the Presidency and the federal executive branch. Special attention will be given to topics of presidential leadership, staffing, executive-legislative relations, and policy formation. Comparative reference to executive processes in other political systems. The American Presidency: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

The American Presidency: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 103 Congress 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Spring 2023 Nomination and election, constituent relations, the formal and informal structures of both houses, relations with the executive branch, policy formation, and lobbying. Congress: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 1 or consent of instructor

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-3 hours of lecture and 1-3 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Ten hours of lecture/discussion per week for six weeks.

Congress: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 103W The Congress 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2009, Fall 2006, Spring 2006 This course will explore the Congress--the first branch under the Consititution--and its role in our political system. It will leverage our environment in Washington by featuring frequent guest speakers and seeking connections to current policy and political debate. In addition to surveying the pathways of lawmaking, we will ask how Congress and its members relate to the other branches of government, to the press, and to the public. The Congress: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Admittance to UC Berkeley-Washington Program. For details see http://ucdc.berkeley.edu

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-3 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: Two to Three hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.

The Congress: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 104 Political Parties 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2010, Fall 2009, Fall 2008 The institutional environment within which American politics takes place. Concept and history of parties in the American context: their nature and function, origin and development. Party organization and structure. State, national, and local party systems and their variations. Nominations and elections. Political Parties: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture and One hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. Eight hours of Lecture and Two hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.

Political Parties: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 105 The Politician 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Spring 2012, Spring 2011 The nature of politics, the education of politicians, the structure of ambition, and the ethical values of social behavior in the political world. Sessions with elected officials and party workers on their vocation. The Politician: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture and One hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.

The Politician: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 106A American Politics: Campaign Strategy - Media 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 An inside look at how political campaigns operate from the viewpoint of the media, taught by the people who run them. Class material will be directed towards students who are interested in direct involvement in campaign politics or who are looking for a greater understanding of the political process. Students will be required to develop a complete written campaign strategy document in order to fulfill class requirements. Students will be expected to follow political and campaign news via the media and be prepared to discuss those developments in class. American Politics: Campaign Strategy - Media: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.

American Politics: Campaign Strategy - Media: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 109 Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 1999 10 Week Session, Summer 1998 10 Week Session, Summer 1997 10 Week Session See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-3 hours of lecture and 0-2 hours of discussion per week

Summer: 6 weeks - 8-8 hours of lecture and 0-5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and zero to two hours of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and zero to five hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternate method of final assessment during regularly scheduled final exam group (e.g., presentation, final project, etc.).

Special Topics in American Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 109A Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2023 First 6 Week Session, Spring 2013, Spring 2011 See department web site for specific course details. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit with instructor consent.

POL SCI 109B Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2024 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2023 First 6 Week Session, Spring 2023 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 109D Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2019 First 6 Week Session, Fall 2005 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 109E Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Summer 2005 10 Week Session See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and one and one-half hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 109G Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2012 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture and One hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. Eight hours of Lecture and One and one-half hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 109H Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2009 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 109L Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2011 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 109M Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 109P Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week. Three hours of lecture and one and one-half hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 109Q Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 109R Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2021 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2012 10 Week Session, Summer 2012 First 6 Week Session See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 109S Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Spring 2020 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture and One hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. Eight hours of Lecture and One hour of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 109W Selected Topics in American Politics-UCDC 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2012, Summer 2011 8 Week Session Topics will vary. Selected Topics in American Politics-UCDC: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Admission to UC Berkeley-Washington Program. For details see http://learning.berkeley.edu/ucdc

Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks. Six hours of Seminar per week for 8 weeks.

Formerly known as: 108W

Selected Topics in American Politics-UCDC: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 109Z Special Topics in American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Spring 2021, Fall 2018 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in American Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 110B Cal-in-Sacramento 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 The purpose of this course is to provide Cal-in-Sacramento interns and other interested UC Berkeley students with a rudimentary understanding of our state government. We will focus on the state legislature and executive branch, exploring both the policy-making process and the politics in Sacramento, which we will learn are quite closely related to one another. Cal-in-Sacramento: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Limited to summer Cal-in-Sacramento interns

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar and 1 hour of discussion per week

Additional Format: One hour of discussion and two hours of seminar per week.

Cal-in-Sacramento: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 111AC The Politics of Displacement 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 In this class, the revolution against traditional political authority embodied in Jefferson's and Thomas Paine's attack on the British crown, the rise of slavery, and the conflict with Native America are seen as coherent parts of a cultural and social development that emerges in 18th- and 19th-century America. Using both original antebellum materials, including biographies, history, and literature, and contemporary images from American popular culture such as film, news and magazine articles, and music, we will compare and contrast the experiences of antebellum Native Americans, Euopean immigrants, and African slaves as a connection between the past and the present emerges. The Politics of Displacement: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week

Additional Format: Four hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

The Politics of Displacement: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 112A History of Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2019, Fall 2017 Major theories from the ancient Greeks to the modern period. Ancient and medieval political thought, including Plato, Aristotle, and St. Augustine. History of Political Theory: Read More [+]

History of Political Theory: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 112B History of Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2023 Second 6 Week Session, Fall 2022 Early modern political thought up to the French Revolution, including Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. History of Political Theory: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 112C History of Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2021, Spring 2019 Nineteenth and twentieth century political thought, including Burke, Utilitarianism, Marx, and contemporary theory. History of Political Theory: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture, two hours of discussion, and one hour of conference per week.

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam not required.

POL SCI 112D History of European Political Theory: The 20th Century 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2010, Fall 2008 This is a survey course that will examine developments in 20th-century European Political Theory. It will focus on theorists' contributions and reactions to various major political and intellectual shifts, including Marxism (as "Western Marxism" and Critical Theory, as well as institutionalized Soviet communism in its heyday); psychoanalysis; and fascism. History of European Political Theory: The 20th Century: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1-2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture and One to Two hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.

History of European Political Theory: The 20th Century: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 112L Roman Law 4 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007 The first part of the course will cover the history of Roman law and substantive doctrines of Roman private law – Persons, Guardianship, Property, Successions per universitatem, Obligations ex contractu and ex delicto, and Actions. The second part of the course will then examine the ‘Second Life of Roman Law’ – the reception of Justinianic Roman law in modern legal and political thought, its integration into medieval and modern legal systems (e.g., canon law, Roman-Dutch Law, Scots Law, the French Code Napoleon, the German Civil Code), in Latin America, Africa, and East Asia (as well as Louisiana). Roman Law: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: It is strongly recommended that Students have completed the equivalent of an introductory course in a relevant subfield of Political Science, PS 112A or PS 112B (or an equivalent)

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week.

Roman Law: Read Less [-]

POL SCI N112A History of Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2019 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2018 Second 6 Week Session Major theories from the ancient Greeks to the modern period. Ancient and medieval political thought, including Plato, Aristotle, and St. Augustine. History of Political Theory: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Political Science N112A after taking Political Science 112A. Students will receive no credit for Political Science 112A after completing Political Science N112A. A deficient grade in Political Science 112A may be removed by taking Political Science N112A.

POL SCI 114A Theories of Governance: Late 20th Century 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2014, Spring 2013 What is governance? How should we explain its emergence? What are its implications for public policy and democracy? This course uses debates about contemporary governance to examine four approaches to political science and political theory. The approaches are rational choice theory, institutionalism, Marxism, and poststructuralism. The course looks at the narrative that each approach provides of the origins and workings of governance since 1979 , and at the way these narratives embody theoretical commitments about rationality and power, structure and agency, and democracy. It thus promotes an awareness of the way questions about contemporary governance are inextricably linked to philosophical and normative commitments. Theories of Governance: Late 20th Century: Read More [+]

Theories of Governance: Late 20th Century: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 116 Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2020, Summer 2004 10 Week Session, Spring 2004 Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 8-8 hours of lecture and 0-2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and zero to two hours of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and zero to two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

Special Topics in Political Theory: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 116A Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017 Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 1-2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture and One to Two hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. Eight hours of Lecture and One to Two hour of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 116B Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2021 Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 116C Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Spring 2019 Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one to two hours of discussion per week.

POL SCI 116D Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007 Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 8-8 hours of lecture and 1-2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one to two hours of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and one to two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 116E Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Pol sci 116f special topics in political theory 4 units, pol sci 116g special topics in political theory 4 units.

Terms offered: Spring 2014 Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

POL SCI 116H Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Pol sci 116i special topics in political theory 4 units, pol sci 116j special topics in political theory 4 units.

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2022 Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 116J after completing POL SCI 116 . A deficient grade in POL SCI 116J may be removed by taking POL SCI 116 .

Summer: 8 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 3 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and three hours of discussion per week for 8 weeks.

POL SCI 116K Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Pol sci 116l special topics in political theory 4 units.

Terms offered: Spring 2023 Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

POL SCI 116M Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2012 10 Week Session, Summer 2012 Second 6 Week Session Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

POL SCI 116N Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Pol sci 116o special topics in political theory 4 units.

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2022 Second 6 Week Session, Fall 2020 Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

POL SCI 116P Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2014 Second 6 Week Session Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1-2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture and One to Two hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. Three hours of Lecture and One to Two hour of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 116Q Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Pol sci 116r special topics in political theory 4 units.

Terms offered: Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

POL SCI 116S Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2022 Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

POL SCI 116T Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Pol sci 116u special topics in political theory 4 units.

Terms offered: Summer 2016 10 Week Session, Summer 2016 Second 6 Week Session Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

POL SCI 116V Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Pol sci 116w ancient greek politics and political thought 4 units.

Terms offered: Spring 2022 This course explores the varieties of political experience and ideas in the ancient Greek world, focusing on the Classical era. We’ll consider different regime types (kingship, tyranny, democracy, oligarchy), places (Athens, Sparta, Crete, Syracuse, and beyond Hellas, Persia, Carthage, and Egypt), political forms (city-state, nation, alliance, empire), institutions (assembly, council, courts, offices) and persons (political leader or “demagogue ,” citizen, woman, foreign resident, slave). The readings are broadly chronological and include a wide variety of sources: epic and elegiac poetry, tragic and comic drama, history, inscriptions, speeches, pamphlets, and philosophy. Ancient Greek Politics and Political Thought: Read More [+]

Course Objectives: Familiarity with a wide variety of interesting and important examples of ancient Greek political ideas and practices; a sense of their similarities to and differences from related aspects of modern political thought and practice; ability to analyze some ancient Greek political texts closely and to discuss how they fit into the bigger intellectual and historical picture.

Ancient Greek Politics and Political Thought: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 116X Special Topics in Political Theory 4 Units

Pol sci 116y special topics in political theory 4 units, pol sci 116z special topics in political theory 4 units.

Terms offered: Spring 2013 Intensive study of one topic, problem, or intellectual movement in political theory. See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Political Theory: Read More [+]

POL SCI 117 Theories of Justice 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 1998 Major perspectives in social and economic thought, e.g., natural law,natural right, laissez faire,"possessive individualism,"contractualism, pluralism, and social equality as they affect contemporary discussion of "higher law," fairness, civic competence, and distributive justice. Theories of Justice: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: POL SCI 117 and LEGALST 107 are similar in content.Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 117 after completing LEGALST 107 , and vice versa. Students will receive no credit for LEGALST 107 after completing POL SCI 117 . A deficient grade in POL SCI 117 may be removed by taking LEGALST 107 .

Theories of Justice: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 117D Democracy Ancient and Modern 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2023 Dêmokratia, democratia, democracy. What did this term mean to the ancient Greeks who coined it, to the Romans who borrowed it, to the early modern Europeans who discussed it—and what does it mean today? Who or what was the original dêmos, how did it rule, and how different is the interpretation of “rule by the people” that now predominates? Starting with the first attestations of da-mo in the 12th century BC and ending with Iceland’s recent attempt to crowdsource its constitution, this course offers a chronological exploration of the idea and practice of democracy intended to broaden our imaginative horizons with respect to what democracy has been, is, and could become. Democracy Ancient and Modern: Read More [+]

Democracy Ancient and Modern: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 117L Jurisprudence 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024 A Classical Approach to Law. This course consists of two main parts. The first part will be a standard course on Roman private law. Using Barry Nicholas’ Roman Law, students will study the essential features of classical Roman law: persons, property, successions, obligations, and actions. Students will also study basic legal problems through study of select cases, recorded in Justinian’s Digest. The second part of the course will then introduce students to major texts and debates in jurisprudence, such as legal positivism, modern natural law theory, and interpretivism. This is an upper-level undergraduate course. Latin is not required, but students will be expected to learn key legal vocabulary in Latin. Jurisprudence: Read More [+]

Jurisprudence: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 118AC Three American Cultures 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2011, Summer 2007 10 Week Session, Summer 2006 10 Week Session The course will examine three American cultural forms. The focus of the course is to be comparative; readings will center around first-person accounts, written by members of the ethnic groups most immediately involved in each of the cultural forms. The theme is that of identity, seen politically as well as culturally: examining how the various ethnic groups involved came to forge a collective identity for themselves. The three groups studied will vary by instructor. See departmental listings for more specific information. Three American Cultures: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture per week 8 weeks - 5.5 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. Five and one-half hours of Lecture per week for 8 weeks. Seven and one-half hours of Lecture per week for 6 weeks.

Three American Cultures: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 122A Politics of European Integration 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Summer 2021 First 6 Week Session, Fall 2020 The European Union is the world's most advanced experiment in governance beyond the level of the traditional nation-state. Through the European Union, the main members countries have pooled their national sovereignty and created new ways political authority, economic competition, social cohesion, and cultural identity. While specialists in comparative politics focus on the separate countries, scholars in international relations emphasize the construction of supranational institutions and transnational identities. This course seeks to synthesize the comparative and international approaches by examining the economic, political, and cultural aspects of integration. Politics of European Integration: Read More [+]

Politics of European Integration: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 123 Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2020, Spring 2004, Fall 2003 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

Special Topics in International Relations: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 123A Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2012, Spring 2009, Spring 2007 See department web site for specific course details. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Political Science 5 highly recommended

POL SCI 123C Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2020, Spring 2019, Fall 2007 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 120A highly recommended

POL SCI 123F Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2020, Spring 2019 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

POL SCI 123G Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2011 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

POL SCI 123H Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2013 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

POL SCI 123J Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2018 First 6 Week Session, Spring 2018 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

POL SCI 123L Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Spring 2021 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 123L after completing POL SCI 123 . A deficient grade in POL SCI 123L may be removed by taking POL SCI 123 .

POL SCI 123M Conflict Management 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Fall 2019 The goal of this class is to familiarize students with the various ways in which actors can manage and resolve their conflicts. Conflict management in both international and civil conflicts will be discussed. Students will learn about negotiation, mediation, arbitration and adjudication, sanctions, military intervention, peacekeeping, nation-building, and the design of peace agreements. We will also talk about the role of the United Nations , regional organizations, and major powers like the U.S. in conflict management. While the main goal of the class is to familiarize students with central concepts and theories of conflict management, we will also take a look at cases that illustrate when, how and why different strategies work. Conflict Management: Read More [+]

Conflict Management: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 123P Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2022 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

POL SCI 123R Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2024 Second 6 Week Session See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

POL SCI 123S Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

POL SCI 123W Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2019, Summer 2019 First 6 Week Session See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and zero to one hours of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and zero to two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 123Y Special Topics in International Relations 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2020, Fall 2017 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in International Relations: Read More [+]

POL SCI 124A War! 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing! Is this necessarily true? Wars are brutal and horrific events, but are they all necessarily the result of miscalculation, accident, or fanaticism? Can war serve a rational purpose? Are wars governed by rules and do states care about these rules? This course is designed for upper-level undergraduate students. War!: Read More [+]

Summer: 8 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture and Two hours of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. Eight hours of Lecture and One and one-half hours of Discussion per week for 8 weeks.

War!: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 124B War in the Middle East 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 This class begins with a historical overview of war in the region. The second part of the class introduces theories that complement and elaborate on theories from PS124A: arguments about the relationship between war and resources,religion, authoritarianism, civil military relations, territorial disputes, sovereignty, and power. In the third part of the course, we will explore current policy concerns related to conflict in the region: Nuclear proliferation, terrorism, the civil war in Syria, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drone warfare, and the U.S. role in the region. War in the Middle East: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: POL SCI 124A (“War!”) is a prerequisite for this class. Political Science 124A

War in the Middle East: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 124C Ethics and Justice in International Affairs 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2021, Spring 2021 Should nations intervene in other countries to prevent human rights abuses or famine? On what principles should immigration be based? Should wealthy states aid poorer states, and if so, how much? Who should pay for global environmental damage? Answers to these moral questions depend to a great degree on who we believe we have an obligation to: Ourselves? Nationals of our country? Residents of our country? Everyone in the world equally? We will examine different traditions of moral thought including skeptics, communitarians, cosmopolitans, and use these traditions as tools to make reasoned judgments about difficult moral problems in world politics. Ethics and Justice in International Affairs: Read More [+]

Ethics and Justice in International Affairs: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 124D Reconciliation After Atrocities 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 It is increasingly recognized that for societies to move on after widespread human rights and humanitarian abuses some kind of reconciliation process is necessary. What does reconciliation mean at the national vs. personal level? What institutions and processes work best to encourage reconciliation? What role do truth commissions and trials play in this process? Are these processes best dealt with nationally or should they be led by an international body? This course will start by examining the concept of reconciliation and then look at case studies including Germany and Japan after WWII, Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge, Argentina and the Dirty War, Chile after Pinochet, South Africa and Apartheid, the Rwandan genocide, and war in Yugoslavia Reconciliation After Atrocities: Read More [+]

Reconciliation After Atrocities: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 124G The Comparative Study of Genocide 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2022 This course will examine the origins and forms of what a legal scholar once called an “odious scourge”: genocide. For years, genocide mainly referred to the Nazi attempt to exterminate the Jews during World War II. However, since the end of the Cold War events in Eastern Europe, Central Africa, and elsewhere have drawn scholars’ attention to genocide as a political phenomenon that may be studied across regions and time periods. Although ethical and policy concerns will underlie the discussion, as they do whenever genocide is the topic of study, our main objective will be to examine the determinants of genocide and related forms of mass violence. The Comparative Study of Genocide: Read More [+]

The Comparative Study of Genocide: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 124H The Politics of Human Rights 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Fall 2022 This course is an introduction to the central concepts, laws, and debates in the field of international human rights. In the first half of the course, we will examine fundamental questions in the field, such as: What are human rights? What are the philosophical, religious, and historical foundations of human rights? What are the main international human rights agreements? What are some problems with those agreements? What are the main international institutions that handle human rights? How are human rights enforced outside of the U.N. system? What are regional human rights systems? Are human rights universal? And what role do non-governmental organizations play in this field? The Politics of Human Rights: Read More [+]

The Politics of Human Rights: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 124M The Scientific Study of International Conflict 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2020 The goal of this upper-level seminar is to familiarize students with the scientific approach to studying international conflict, provide them with a deep understanding of the basic factors that exacerbate or mitigate international conflict, and sharpen students' analytical and research skills. The Scientific Study of International Conflict: Read More [+]

The Scientific Study of International Conflict: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 125 Civil Conflict and International Intervention 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2021 First 6 Week Session, Fall 2020 This course is designed to help you: (1) understand the existing theory and evidence about (a) the causes, strategies, and outcomes of civil conflict, and (b) the ways in which international actors intervene, (2) broaden your theoretical and empirical framework in international relations more generally, (3) think critically about the existing work in the field, and (4) begin to consider engaging in research on civil conflict and international intervention. Civil Conflict and International Intervention: Read More [+]

Formerly known as: Political Science 123I

Civil Conflict and International Intervention: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 126A International Political Economy 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Spring 2023 Economic concepts in the study of international political behavior. Political concepts influencing the choice of economic policies. International Political Economy: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: College-level economics course (macro, micro, trade, etc) required. Students who have NOT taken any economics should NOT take the class

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one and one-half hours of discussion per week.

International Political Economy: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 128 Chinese Foreign Policy 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2014, Spring 2012, Spring 2011 This course covers the history and analysis of Chinese foreign policy since the inception of the People's Republic of China 1949. Some attention is devoted to pre-1949 Far Eastern international relations, but only as a background to the study of the contemporary period. Emphasis is placed on Sino-American and Sino-Soviet relations, on the domestic determinants of Chinese foreign policy, on the changing nature of China's relations with her Asian neighbors, and on important substantive issues. Chinese Foreign Policy: Read More [+]

Chinese Foreign Policy: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 128A Chinese Foreign Policy 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2009, Spring 2008, Spring 1996 Chinese foreign policy from the inception of the People's Republic of China in 1949 to the present. This course aims at providing the student with a sufficient factual base, alternative theoretical approaches and some of the methodological tools useful in studying Chinese foreign policy. Chinese Foreign Policy: Read More [+]

POL SCI C131A Applied Econometrics and Public Policy 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020 This course focuses on the sensible application of econometric methods to empirical problems in economics and public policy analysis. It provides background on issues that arise when analyzing non-experimental social science data and a guide for tools that are useful for empirical research. By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of the types of research designs that can lead to convincing analysis and be comfortable working with large scale data sets. Applied Econometrics and Public Policy: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 140 or 141 or consent of instructor

Credit Restrictions: Students who completed Econ C142 receive no credit for Econ N142.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-3 hours of lecture and 1-0 hours of discussion per week

Summer: 8 weeks - 6-6 hours of lecture and 2-0 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one to zero hours of discussion per week. Six hours of lecture and two to zero hours of discussion per week for 8 weeks.

Also listed as: ECON C142/PUB POL C142

Applied Econometrics and Public Policy: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 132B Machine Learning for Social Scientists 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 1996 Social scientists and policymakers increasingly use large quantities of data to make decisions and test theories. For example, political campaigns use surveys, marketing data, and previous voting history to optimally target get out the vote drives. Governments deploy predictive algorithms in an attempt to optimize public policy processes and decisions. And political scientists use massive new data sets to measure the extent of partisan polarization in Congress, the sources and consequences of media bias, and the prevalence of discrimination in the workplace. Each of these examples, and many others, make use of statistical and algorithmic tools that distill large quantities of raw data into useful quantities of interest. Machine Learning for Social Scientists: Read More [+]

Course Objectives: This course introduces techniques to collect, analyze, and utilize large collections of data for social science inferences. The ultimate goal of the course is to introduce students to modern machine learning techniques and provide the skills necessary to apply the methods widely.

Prerequisites: Students must have taken PS 3 and Data 8 (or have equivalent coursework)

Machine Learning for Social Scientists: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 132C Berkeley Changemaker: Algorithms, Public Policy, and Ethics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024 This course will cover a broad range of topics on the use of predictive and related algorithms in public policy. This will include specific case studies, how data are used in these tools, their possible benefits relative to status quo procedures as well as their limitations, and the potential harms and ethics surrounding their use (e.g. issues of algorithmic bias). The course will include instruction on both concepts and methods. Students will learn about the use of algorithms in public policy (and related topics) through a conceptual and the-oretical lens, through illustrative case studies, and through data science applications and exercises. Berkeley Changemaker: Algorithms, Public Policy, and Ethics: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Students must have taken PS 3 or Data 8 (or have equivalent coursework)

Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required, with common exam group.

Berkeley Changemaker: Algorithms, Public Policy, and Ethics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 133 Selected Topics in Quantitative Methods 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Spring 2017, Spring 2013 For more information see course description on department web site when course is offered. Selected Topics in Quantitative Methods: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: A previous course in statistics or data analysis

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one to three hours of discussion per week.

Selected Topics in Quantitative Methods: Read Less [-]

POL SCI C135 Game Theory in the Social Sciences 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022 A non-technical introduction to game theory. Basic principle, and models of interaction among players, with a strong emphasis on applications to political science, economics, and other social sciences. Game Theory in the Social Sciences: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students receive no credit for PS C135/PEIS C135/ ECON C110 after taking ECON 104 . If PS C135/ ECON C110 /PS W135/ ECON N110 is taken and with a passing grade, students can't take the other versions of the course for additional credit.If PS C135/ ECON C110 /PS W135/ ECON N110 is taken and not passed, students can take the other versions to replace grade.

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: PS C135/ECON C110,PS W135 and ECON N110 are similar in content. See Restriction Description.

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and zero to one hours of discussion per week.

Formerly known as: Economics C110, Political Economy of Industrial Soc C135, Political Science C135

Also listed as: ECON C110

Game Theory in the Social Sciences: Read Less [-]

POL SCI W135 Game Theory in the Social Sciences 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Summer 2023 8 Week Session, Summer 2022 8 Week Session This course provides an introduction to game theory and its application in social science, especially political science and economics. The purposes of the course are to give students a sense of the field of game theory and how political scientists use it in making arguments about how government and politics work, to develop students' intuition about strategic situations in everyday life, and to develop students' analytical capabilities generally. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to depict social situations as simple game theoretic models, analyze those models to understand how the behaviors of the individuals involved are mutually reinforcing, and apply computer-based tools to evaluate under conditions of uncertainty. Game Theory in the Social Sciences: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Political Science W135 after completing Political Science C135/Economics C110 or Economics N110. A deficient grade in Political Science C135/Economics C110 or Economics N110 may be removed by taking Political Science W135.

Additional Format: Six hours of web-based lecture and two hours of web-based discussion per week for 8 weeks.

POL SCI 137A Revolutionary Change 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2008, Fall 2007, Fall 2006 Theories of revolutionary violence, rebellion, and revolution. Strategies of revolution, terrorism, sources of revolutionary action. Revolutionary Change: Read More [+]

Revolutionary Change: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 138C The Political Economy of Gender 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Spring 2000, Spring 1999 This course provides a political economy framework to understand the origins and persistence of global gender inequality. We will look at variation in gender equality indicators to systematically address how women’s socio-economic status and political power have varied across time (in historical perspective) and place (in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas). We will employ three analytical lenses to help us interpret what we see: biology , markets, and power. Throughout the course, we will pay particular attention to the way gender intersects with other identities, such as race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexuality, class, and partisanship. The Political Economy of Gender: Read More [+]

The Political Economy of Gender: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 138D Market Governance in the Digital Age 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2004, Fall 2002 This course will examine how government, firms, and individuals interact to govern markets by surveying debates over specific substantive issues in the advanced industrial countries, especially the United States. Topics include labor regulation, antitrust policy, financial regulation, and intellectual property rights. Market Governance in the Digital Age: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: One economics course (such as Economics 1 or 2) and one Political Economy course (such as Political Science 126A or Political Economy 101) strongly recommended

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 4 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Four hours of lecture per week.

Market Governance in the Digital Age: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 138E The Varieties of Capitalism: Political Economic Systems of the World 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019 This course examines the interaction between politics and markets, both in theory and in practice, explicitly linking classic works on political economy with current policy debates. We study how political systems and markets are organized in a wide range of different national settings, looking at both history and contemporary issues. Topics include: 1) early industrialization in Britain and the United States, 2) late industrialization in continental Europe and Japan, 3) the varieties of capitalism in contemporary industrialized countries, 4) the newly industrializing economics of Latin America and East Asia, 5) the problems of development, and 6) the transition from communism to a market economy in Eastern Europe and China. The Varieties of Capitalism: Political Economic Systems of the World: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Four hours of lecture and one and one-half hours of discussion per week.

The Varieties of Capitalism: Political Economic Systems of the World: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 138F Immigrants, Citizenship, and the State 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Summer 2008 10 Week Session, Summer 2008 Second 6 Week Session This course will examine international migration from a historical and comparative perspective, looking at why people migrate, how citizens respond to the migration, and how states respond to migration. The first part of the course looks at the changing relationship between the state, immigrants, and citizenship. Turning to case studies, we will examine five different types of receiving states, each confronted with a different form of migration: a traditional immigrant state, a post-colonial state, a non-traditional immigrant state that imports migrant workers, a highly industrialized latecomer state, and a newly industrialized state. Immigrants, Citizenship, and the State: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 4-4 hours of lecture and 1-2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Four hours of lecture and one to two hours of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and one to two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

Immigrants, Citizenship, and the State: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 138G National Success and Failure in the Age of a Global Economy: from Pleats to Cleats 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013 In the present era political, economic, and social organization powerfully influence national capacity to assure economic success, real and rising incomes for the population, and political success, basic survival, and the projection of its purposes and values. This course looks at the continual process of international competition and transformation, and examines which factors separate the winners from the losers. We will gain leverage into these questions by examining critical moments in the 20th and 21st centuries and analyze according to national responses. What choices signal success? Can the failures be avoided? The course will discuss whether globalization is shunting aside national political choice, or whether globalization is in fact a sequence of national and regional stories played out on a larger stage. We will consider how economic constraint structures political choice and national response to the global economy. But we will also examine how political developments shape market dynamics and national innovations. We will learn about all sorts of things from the politics of French fashion to why Japanese make good cars. National Success and Failure in the Age of a Global Economy: from Pleats to Cleats: Read More [+]

Instructor: Zysman

National Success and Failure in the Age of a Global Economy: from Pleats to Cleats: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 138M Human Trafficking 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024 This class will introduce students to the complex phenomenon of human trafficking (also referred to as a form of modern day slavery) as defined in the United Nations Anti-Trafficking Protocol as well as the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) and its subsequent reauthorizations. In this class, we will discuss trafficking in human beings in its historical, legal, economic, political and social contexts, identifying the scope of the global problem, different forms of human trafficking, regional trends and practices, including trafficking in the United States, and the different actors involved at all levels. Human Trafficking: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: PS120A highly recommended

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 138M after completing POL SCI 123C .

Human Trafficking: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 138S The Comparative Study of Genocide 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023 This course will examine the origins and forms of what a legal scholar once called an “odious scourge”: genocide. For years, genocide mainly referred to the Nazi attempt to exterminate the Jews during World War II. However, since the end of the Cold War events in Eastern Europe, Central Africa, and elsewhere have drawn scholars’ attention to genocide as a political phenomenon that may be studied across regions and time periods. Although ethical and policy concerns will underlie the discussion, as they do whenever genocide is the topic of study, our main objective will be to examine the determinants of genocide and related forms of mass violence. The Comparative Study of Genocide: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 138S after completing POL SCI 124G . A deficient grade in POL SCI 138S may be removed by taking POL SCI 124G .

POL SCI 138Z The Politics of Immigration 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024 This course starts by exploring such migration reasons and the scholarly understanding of the politics of immigration. We then move to discussing the processes of immigrant incorporation—do immigrants and their children enter the mainstream societal institutions, what are the policies that promote the social, economic and political participation of immigrants, and what are the conditions that hinder immigrants participation; including nativistic reactions to immigration and demographic change. The course ends with a discussion of policy interventions designed to ameliorate the conditions hindering immigrants’ incorporation. The Politics of Immigration: Read More [+]

The Politics of Immigration: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 139B Development Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Summer 2013 10 Week Session, Summer 2013 Second 6 Week Session Politics of economic development in developing countries. Comparative analysis of the theories and practice of development in the light of contemporary experience. Political strategies of agrarian, industrial, educational, and regional development and their impact on autonomy, welfare, justice, and human development. Development Politics: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 2.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture and One and one-half hours of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. Seven and one-half hours of Lecture and Two and one-half hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.

Development Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 139D Urban and Subnational Politics in Low- and Middle-Income Countries 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020 Over half of the world's population is now urban. As urban populations swell, metropolitan areas in both the developed and the developing world struggle to provide basic services and address the negative externalities associated with rapid growth. Sanitation, transportation, pollution, energy services, and public safety typically fall to sub-national governments. Yet local sub-national institutions face difficulties as they tackle these challenges because development tends to spill over political boundaries and resources are limited. Such difficulties are particularly acute in the developing world due to tighter resource constraints, weak institutions, and the comparative severity of the underlying problems. Urban and Subnational Politics in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Read More [+]

Urban and Subnational Politics in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 139M Political Economy of the Global South 4 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007 This course tackles a series of big questions about economic growth and development. What hinders progress towards wealth and wellbeing in the Global South? What models of development are available to these states and what role does the Global North play in shaping their opportunities for growth? How do leadership, corruption, and violence impede these processes? And what prospects and challenges do climate change, technology and migration hold for citizens of the countries? Political Economy of the Global South: Read More [+]

Political Economy of the Global South: Read Less [-]

POL SCI C139 Urban and Sub-national Politics in Developing Countries 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2013 Over half of the world's population is now urban. As urban populations swell, metropolitan areas in both the developed and the developing world struggle to provide basic services and address the negative externalities associated with rapid growth. Sanitation, transportation, pollution, energy services, and public safety typically fall to sub-national governments. Yet local sub-national institutions face difficulties as they tackle these challenges because development tends to spill over political boundaries and resources are limited. Such difficulties are particularly acute in the developing world due to tighter resource constraints, weak institutions, and the comparative severity of the underlying problems. Moreover, democratization and decentralization suggest that urban governance and service delivery may have become more democratic, but present challenges with respect to priority setting, coordination, and corruption. Urban and Sub-national Politics in Developing Countries: Read More [+]

Instructor: Post

Also listed as: CY PLAN C139

Urban and Sub-national Politics in Developing Countries: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 140E Selected Topics in Comparative Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2018 See department web site for specific course offerings. Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Read More [+]

Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 140F Selected Topics in Comparative Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2012 10 Week Session, Summer 2012 First 6 Week Session, Fall 2011 See department web site for specific course offerings. Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Four hours of Lecture and One hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. Eight hours of Lecture and One and one-half hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 140L Selected Topics in Comparative Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2018 See department web site for specific course offerings. Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 140M Selected Topics in Comparative Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Fall 2021, Summer 2021 First 6 Week Session See department web site for specific course offerings. Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 140O Projecting Power 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023 The course will cover ethnic politics, broadly conceived with a particular focus on social movements, protests, civil disobedience and political violence. Related topics may include immigration, crime and the state, and urban politics. We will consider a range of questions including, how do stories influence our sense of self, community and nation? How do filmmaking techniques influence which people and issues become salient? How do aesthetic and narrative choices affect attitudes about the social order and who is deserving of power? Through close readings of films, social science, and media studies scholarship, this course will enable students to study key political science concepts, the institution of cinema, and how stories make meaning. Projecting Power: Read More [+]

Projecting Power: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 140R Selected Topics in Comparative Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2008 See department web site for specific course offerings. Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Four hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and one and one-half hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 140S Selected Topics in Comparative Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2015 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2013 First 6 Week Session See department web site for specific course offerings. Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 140W Selected Topics in Comparative Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2021 See department web site for specific course offerings. Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI 140Z Selected Topics in Comparative Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2022, Fall 2017 See department web site for specific course offerings. Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI N140G Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Political Parties and Party Systems 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007 The rise of right-wing populists marks contemporary politics. In this course, we discuss how populists achieve enough support to win power, particularly when entrenched political parties oppose them. To understand the rise of populists, we delve into the origins of political parties, their support base, and their organization. We then discuss the influence of a crisis of representation on the electoral success of populists in democratic contests. Is their success linked a large segment of the population feels underrepresented by the existing political parties? Course must be taken simultaneously with PS N149G. Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Political Parties and Party Systems: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI N140G after completing POL SCI 140G. A deficient grade in POL SCI N140G may be removed by taking POL SCI 140G.

Summer: 4 weeks - 10 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Ten hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for four weeks.

Selected Topics in Comparative Politics: Political Parties and Party Systems: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 141A Russian Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2018 This course presents a broad introduction to contemporary politics and society in Russia. What was the Soviet Union, and why did democracy fail in Russia after the USSR fell apart? What kind of regime has Vladimir Putin constructed, and what are the limits of his power? How did Russia reemerge as a global power and how does it challenge the West and democracy around the world? How may we understand the nature of Russian nationalism and the quest for a secure national identity? How does the Russian economy work? What do we know about public opinion and the lives of ordinary Russians? Does the recent rise in social protest and state repression portend major political change? The course is recommended for juniors and seniors but is open to all Russian Politics: Read More [+]

Formerly known as: Political Science 129B

Russian Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 141C Politics and Government in Eastern Europe 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Summer 2022 First 6 Week Session, Fall 2020 Modern politics and government in the states of Eastern Europe presented within a broader cultural, historical, and sociological framework. Problems of economic underdevelopment and national fragmentation. Comparisons of the pre-Communist, Communist, and post-Communist periods. Politics and Government in Eastern Europe: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 8-9 hours of lecture and 2-2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week. Eight to nine hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

Politics and Government in Eastern Europe: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 142A Middle East Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 Second 6 Week Session The Middle East in world affairs, international relations and domestic policies of contemporary states in the Middle East; policies and strategy of major powers; supranational movements, regional political and security organizations. The area comprises Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Israel, and the Arab countries. Middle East Politics: Read More [+]

Middle East Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 143A Northeast Asian Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016 The structure and evolution of political institutions in China, and China's relations with neighboring states such as North Korea and South Korea. Emphasis upon such topics as nationalism, political modernization, and ideology. Northeast Asian Politics: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-3 hours of lecture and 1-1.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one to one and one-half hours of discussion per week.

Northeast Asian Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 143B Japanese Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2020, Fall 2019, Spring 2017 The structure and evolution of political institutions in Japan. Emphasis upon such topics as political parties, the bureaucracy, social change, and contemporary policy issues. Japanese Politics: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1-1.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture and One to One and one-half hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks.

Japanese Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 143C Chinese Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015 An overview of Chinese politics since the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Emphasis on the People's Republic of China and post-Mao reforms. Chinese Politics: Read More [+]

Instructor: O'Brien

Chinese Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 143E The Political Economy of China 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2016 China's extraordinary growth has in some respects confirmed the power of free markets, but at the same time, it has challenged social scientists to think more deeply about the foundations and limits of the market economy. Furthermore, China's ever-increasing economic freedom and prosperity has been accompanied by only limited steps toward greater political freedom, running counter to one of the most consistent patterns of comparative politics and history. This class will cross conventional boundaries between political and economic analysis in order to address these issues. The Political Economy of China: Read More [+]

Instructor: Lorentzen

The Political Economy of China: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 143T Chinese Politics and Society 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2002 10 Week Session This course offers the opportunity to learn about contemporary Chinese politics and society while visiting both famous and ordinary places to see and hear first hand how the Chinese people have experienced over five decades of dramatic change. The course has two components. The first week will be spent on the Berkeley campus and will involve an intensive introduction to the major strands of scholarly work on Chinese politics since the Communist revolution. During this time, students will also have a chance to become familiar with the basic outlines of recent Chinese history. The remaining 3 weeks of the course will be held in the Peoples Republic of China with an emphasis on experiential learning. Lecture and discussions will be on-going during and following field work and tours. In addition to lecture and discussions, two essays will be required. Chinese Politics and Society: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 15-20 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Eighteen hours of lecture/discussion per week for the first week in Berkeley and 15 to 20 hours of lecture/discussion per week while in China.

Chinese Politics and Society: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 144 American Foreign Policy Toward Asia 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2020, Spring 2019, Fall 2017 This course is designed primarily for students interested in exploring in depth the relationship between U.S. foreign policy and developments in East Asia. This course will explore the historical and contemporary foreign policies of the United States toward Asia with an eye toward analyzing the ways in which Asia has been shaped by American, and in turn American policies have been shaped by events in Asia. American Foreign Policy Toward Asia: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Four hours of lecture and one to two hours of discussion per week.

American Foreign Policy Toward Asia: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 144B Politics of Divided Korea 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013 An overview of modern Korea divided into the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The course will compare the two Koreas in terms of political, social and economic institutions, culture, political elites and modernization strategy. Politics of Divided Korea: Read More [+]

Politics of Divided Korea: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 145A South Asian Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2020, Fall 2018 A comparative analysis of development and change in the political systems of contemporary South Asia. South Asian Politics: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Political Science 145A and Political Science W145A are similar in content. Students will receive no credit for Political Science 145A after completing Political Science W145A. A deficient grade in Political Science W145A may be removed by taking Political Science 145A.

South Asian Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 145B South Asian Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 1998, Spring 1997 A comparative analysis of development and change in the political systems of contemporary South Asia. South Asian Politics: Read More [+]

POL SCI W145A Understanding Political Developments in India 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Summer 2023 8 Week Session, Summer 2022 8 Week Session This class focuses mostly on the "domestic" politics of India. In addition to providing an overview of political developments in India since independence, this online course assesses the nature of democratic participation and representation in contemporary India - the world's largest democracy. Understanding Political Developments in India: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Political Science W145A and Political Science 145A are similar in content. Students will receive no credit for Political Science W145A after completing Political Science 145. A deficient grade in Political Science 145 may be removed by taking Political Science W145A.

Understanding Political Developments in India: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 146A African Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021 Introduction to politics in the states of contemporary sub-Saharan Africa. Comparative study of political institutions and regime transitions; economic crisis and development; political violence and civil conflict. African Politics: Read More [+]

African Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 146D Environment, Culture, and Peacebuilding 6 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2010 10 Week Session The course begins at the global level and moves to the local level in examining the nexus of politics, environment, and culture where conflicts ensue. These conflicts can lead to violence and hardship. They can also result in creative adaptations and solutions based in political and administrative institutions and processes that build peace. The first three weeks of the course examine global trends and institutions; the last three weeks examine the specific dynamics involving land and resource conflict in Kenya. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to social science and environmental science perspectives. Students will be exposed to the analytical tools of political economy, history, and political ecology. The class will consist of students from the University of California, Berkeley and Kenyatta University. It will be led by faculty from both institutions. Environment, Culture, and Peacebuilding: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 15 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Fifteen hours of Lecture per week for 6 weeks.

Instructors: Arriola, Kanogo, Olukoye

Environment, Culture, and Peacebuilding: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 147F Contemporary French Politics: The Republican Model in Transition 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2019 French political life has long gravitated around a "Republican model" marked by an unmediated relationship between the citizen and the state, socialization into French values through secular public education, a special vocation for France on the international stage, and an activist state. Recent developments have called the Republican model into question. This course will examine the transformation of France's Republican model - its origins , operations, and responses to contemporary challenges. Contemporary French Politics: The Republican Model in Transition: Read More [+]

Contemporary French Politics: The Republican Model in Transition: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 147G The Welfare State in Comparative Perspective 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2020 Comparision of welfare states in Western Europe and North America. Origins of welfare states. Varieties of welfare states. Relationship between welfare states and the economy. Impact of changing social, economic, and family structure states. Contemporary welfare reform. The Welfare State in Comparative Perspective: Read More [+]

The Welfare State in Comparative Perspective: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 147T German History and Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007 This course provides an introduction to German history, from ancient times to the post-reunification period. Special emphasis will be placed on the history of the city of Berlin. Except for a few preparatory activities in Berkeley, the course will be conducted in Berlin, offering lectures as well as hands-on visits to important places of German history. This is a four-week travel-study course. German History and Politics: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 4 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Four hours of lecture for four days per week for four weeks.

Instructor: Sperlich

German History and Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 148A Latin American Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2022, Spring 2021 Political institutions, groups and parties in Latin American countries. Basic characteristics of political processes in Latin America; problems of political development and modernization and political change. Comparative study of political systems, institutions, groups and political culture. Latin American Politics: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Ten hours of lecture/discussion per week for six weeks. Ten hours of lecture/discussion per week for six weeks.

Latin American Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 149 Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2008, Spring 2006, Fall 2004 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

Special Topics in Area Studies: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 149B Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Fall 2010, Fall 2009 See department web site for specific course details. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

POL SCI 149E Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 See department web site for specific course details. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Four hours of lecture per week. Eight hours of lecture per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 149F Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

POL SCI 149I Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2022 Second 6 Week Session, Fall 2012, Summer 2011 Second 6 Week Session See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

POL SCI 149K Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2023 Second 6 Week Session, Fall 2020, Fall 2019 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 149K after completing POL SCI 141A , or POL SCI 129B. A deficient grade in POL SCI 149K may be removed by taking POL SCI 141A , or POL SCI 129B.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and zero hour of discussion per week. Eight hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI 149M Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

POL SCI 149N Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

POL SCI 149P Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2021, Spring 2010 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

POL SCI 149R Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2020, Spring 2018 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

POL SCI 149S Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017 See department web site for specific course offerings. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

POL SCI 149W Special Topics in Area Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 First 6 Week Session, Fall 2023 See department web site for specific course details. Special Topics in Area Studies: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 9 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week. Nine hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for 6 weeks.

POL SCI N149G Special Topics in Area Studies: Contemporary Catalan and Spanish Politics 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007 This course main goal is to help students to become familiar with contemporary Spanish and Catalan politics. Students will gain familiarity with the historical background and main institutional features of Spanish democracy, with a specific focus on the Catalan region and the issue of territorial integration within Spain. We will also cover some of the recent developments. Throughout the course we will use the Spanish case to motivate broader discussions on some key topics of comparative politics: civil wars, democratization, secessionism, terrorism and political violence and party system formation. Course must be taken simultaneously with PS N140G. Special Topics in Area Studies: Contemporary Catalan and Spanish Politics: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI N149G after completing POL SCI 149G. A deficient grade in POL SCI N149G may be removed by taking POL SCI 149G.

Special Topics in Area Studies: Contemporary Catalan and Spanish Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 150 The American Legal System 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2016 First 6 Week Session, Fall 2015 The nature of the American legal system; the interrelationships of judges, lawyers, police, political officials, bureaucrats, press, and general public; the political and social aspects of the legal process. The American Legal System: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture and One hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. Six hours of Lecture and One and one-half hours of Discussion per week for 8 weeks. Eight hours of Lecture and Two hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.

The American Legal System: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 152A Selected Topics in Public Law 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2008, Spring 2006 In contemporary democracies, law, courts, and other legal institutions (law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, administrative tribunals, the legal profession) play an ever-increasing role in the government of society. This course will examine the political science, legal and sociolegal literature on topics related to the design, staffing, and operation of legal institutions, the formulation of law, and the struggle for political power. See department web site for specific offerings. Selected Topics in Public Law: Read More [+]

Selected Topics in Public Law: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 157A Constitutional Law of the United States 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Summer 2020 Second 6 Week Session, Spring 2018 Fundamental principles of constitutional law, leading cases, causes, and consequences of legal decisions and their role in influencing, shaping, and constraining the American political system. Judicial Review and the Limits to National Power. Constitutional Law of the United States: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-4 hours of lecture and 1-2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three to Four hours of Lecture and One to Two hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. Eight hours of Lecture and Two hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.

Constitutional Law of the United States: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 157B Constitutional Law of the United States 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2010, Spring 2009, Spring 2008 Fundamental principles of constitutional law, leading cases, causes, and consequences of legal decisions and their role in influencing, shaping, and constraining the American political system. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Constitutional Law of the United States: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Political Science 157A or consent of instructor

POL SCI 161 Public Opinion, Voting and Participation 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023 The nature of public opinion, attitude formation, electoral turnout and choice; political cleavages; the role of the mass public. Public Opinion, Voting and Participation: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 10 hours of lecture per week 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Ten hours of lecture/discussion per week for six weeks. Six hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week for eight weeks.

Public Opinion, Voting and Participation: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 164A Political Psychology and Involvement 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Fall 2020, Spring 2019 What can psychology tell us about why believe what they believe about current events, vote the way they do, or even perpetrate atrocities? This class explores the sources of public opinion and political behavior through the application of psychological theories about personality, cognition, social influence, and identity. The course focuses on both underlying psychological theories and concepts and their political implications. This class will largely focus on applications in United States politics and society, but I will include examples from other countries as well. There are no prerequisites. Political Psychology and Involvement: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 164A after completing POL SCI N164A , or POL SCI W164A . A deficient grade in POL SCI 164A may be removed by taking POL SCI W164A .

Summer: 8 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 6 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week. Two hours of lecture and six hours of discussion per week for 8 weeks.

Political Psychology and Involvement: Read Less [-]

POL SCI N164A Psychology of Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2020 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2019 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2018 First 6 Week Session This course explores the sources of political beliefs and actions through the application of psychological theories about personality, learning, cognition, and group dynamics. The course begins by briefly considering a number of alternative analytic approaches to linking human nature and politics and then considers such problems as political ideology, persuasion, compliance, protest , violence, and leadership in terms of these approaches. The course considers both mass and elite political behavior. The readings include both quantitative materials drawn from survey research and experiments and more impressionistic and clinical studies. Psychology of Politics: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Political Science N164A after taking Political Science 164A. Students will receive no credit for Political Science 164A after completing Political Science N164A. A deficient grade in Political Science 164A may be removed by taking Political Science N164A and vice versa.

Psychology of Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI W164A Political Psychology and Involvement 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2023 8 Week Session, Summer 2022 8 Week Session, Summer 2021 8 Week Session What can psychology tell us about why believe what they believe about current events, vote the way they do, or even perpetrate atrocities? This class explores the sources of public opinion and political behavior through the application of psychological theories about personality, cognition, social influence, and identity. The course focuses on both underlying psychological theories and concepts and their political implications. This class will largely focus on applications in United States politics and society, but I will include examples from other countries as well. There are no prerequisites. Political Psychology and Involvement: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI W164A after completing POL SCI 164A , or POL SCI N164A . A deficient grade in POL SCI W164A may be removed by taking POL SCI 164A , or POL SCI N164A .

Additional Format: Two hours of web-based discussion and six hours of web-based lecture per week for 8 weeks.

POL SCI 166 Latinos and the U.S. Political System 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2016, Spring 2016 This course examines the past and present of Latino politics in the US. The course reviews the history of conquest, colonization, and immigration that gave rise to the Latino population in the US, the differences and similarities in the contexts of reception of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, and Central American, the cultural and institutional determinants of Latino identities, and the historical and institutional contexts shaping the contemporary political attitudes, behaviors, and representation of Latino voters. Latinos and the U.S. Political System: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-4 hours of lecture and 1-1 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three to four hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week.

Latinos and the U.S. Political System: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 167 Racial and Ethnic Politics in the New American Century 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018 Students will explore, discuss, and understand the relationship between racial/ethnic group formation, group-based beliefs and behavior, and politics. Our focus is on the US today, but with an appreciation of how the racial politics of the here and now is rooted in history and human psychology. We cover Black Politics, Latinx Politics, Asian American Politics, Native American Politics and White Politics, general concepts of identity, immigration, citizenship, class , and intersectionality. We examine both how race and ethnicity affect politics, as well as how politics can shape the boundaries, definitions and behaviors of groups. These behaviors include voting, elite decisions, civic engagement, protests, and media content and usage. Racial and Ethnic Politics in the New American Century: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 167 after completing POL SCI 167AC .

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture per week.

Racial and Ethnic Politics in the New American Century: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 167AC Racial and Ethnic Politics in the New American Century 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2020, Fall 2015, Fall 2014 Some of the most enduring and violent conflicts in America center on race. The goal of this course is to explore, discuss, and better understand the relationship between perceptions of racial identity, attributions of racial difference, and politics, broadly defined. We focus on the recent and persistent debates about racism, identity, rights, representation, citizenship, conflict, and coalitions. A repeated theme of this course is the question whether racial order and inequality are essential to, or an exception from, the liberal democracy in the U.S. This is a lecture course with intensive readings, written assignments, and in-class discussion. Racial and Ethnic Politics in the New American Century: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for POL SCI 167AC after completing POL SCI 167 .

POL SCI 169 Selected Topics in Political Behavior 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2014, Spring 2013 See departmental announcements. Selected Topics in Political Behavior: Read More [+]

Selected Topics in Political Behavior: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 171 California Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 An inquiry into the political environment of the state--historical, economic, geographic, and social; its political institutions--government, parties, interest groups, and citizens; and the policies resulting from the interaction of environment and institutions. California Politics: Read More [+]

California Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 173S Political Economy of the California Crisis 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2006, Fall 2004, Spring 2004 This course examines the emergence and crisis of California's political economy. An analytical framework is developed that encompasses the secular growth and cyclical variability of California's income, expenditure, and revenue levels. California's economic growth and political development since 1875 will be analyzed. Specific topics covered include the Edmund G. (Pat) Brown era; Proposition 13 and the Ronald Reagan governorship; California's demographic transformation; challenges of minority economic development and political representation; the 2003 gubernatorial recall and the 2002-04 fiscal crisis. Course is part of the University of California Center Sacramento Program and is located in Sacramento. Political Economy of the California Crisis: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Three hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.

Instructor: Dymski

Political Economy of the California Crisis: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 175A Urban and Metropolitan Government and Politics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2013, Spring 2012, Spring 2011 The roles of various levels of government--local, regional, state, and national--in politics and policy-making in metropolitan regions. Urban and Metropolitan Government and Politics: Read More [+]

Urban and Metropolitan Government and Politics: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 179 Undergraduate Colloquium on Political Science 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Political issues facing the state of California, the United States, or the international community. Undergraduate Colloquium on Political Science: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of colloquium per week

Additional Format: One hour of colloquium per week.

Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Alternative to final exam.

Undergraduate Colloquium on Political Science: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 181 Public Organization and Administration 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 The methods used to manage the power of the bureaucracy in the American political system. An introduction to theories of organizational behavior. The effects of administrative structure upon the creation and distribution of public benefits. Public Organization and Administration: Read More [+]

Summer: 6 weeks - 10 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture per week. Ten hours of lecture per week for 6 weeks.

Public Organization and Administration: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 186 Public Problems 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2020, Spring 2018 This course explores the way societies try to address and solve difficult and seemingly intractable public problems. Can we attribute success or failure to institutions and their capacity to solve problems? Are problems difficult to solve because they are complex or because of a failure of political will? What are the characteristics of organizations or communities that are able to solve problems? How are public problems framed and how are they used to mobilize constituencies? The course draws on literature in public administration, public policy studies, and democratic theory to try to better understand some of the major social, political, environmental, and economic problems of our contemporary world. Public Problems: Read More [+]

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture per week. Eight hours of lecture per week for 6 weeks.

Instructor: Ansell

Public Problems: Read Less [-]

POL SCI H190A Honors Seminar 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 H190A is the first of a two-semester research seminar designed to provide support and structure to political science seniors writing an honors thesis. To receive department honors, students must maintain the minimum GPA for honors and complete H190B with a B+ or better. For additional details, please consult the Undergraduate Advising Office or http://www.polisci.berkeley.edu. Honors Seminar: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Admission to the Political Science Honors Program. Must be a declared political science senior with a 3.5 GPA in the major and a 3.3 GPA overall. Eligible students must have taken Political Science 3 and at least two letter-graded upper division Political Science courses at Berkeley

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: Two hours of seminar per week.

Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam required.

Honors Seminar: Read Less [-]

POL SCI H190B Honors Seminar 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 H190B is the second of a two-semester research seminar designed to provide support and structure to political science seniors writing an honors thesis. To receive department honors, students must maintain the minimum GPA for honors and complete H190B with a B+ or better. For additional details, please consult the Undergraduate Advising Office or http://www.polisci.berkeley.edu. Honors Seminar: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Political Science H190A. Must be a declared political science senior with a 3.5 GPA in the major and a 3.3 GPA overall. Eligible students must have taken Political Science 3 and at least two letter-graded upper division Political Science courses at Berkeley

POL SCI 191 Junior Seminar 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 The seminars will generally be led by ladder-rank faculty members in the subfields of Political Theory, Area Studies, American Politics, International Relations, and Comparative Politics. These intense writing seminars will focus on the research area of the faculty member teaching the course. The seminars will provide an opportunity for students to have direct intellectual interactions with faculty members while also giving the students an understanding of faculty research. Junior Seminar: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Students are allowed to take one seminar per semester.

Junior Seminar: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 192 Pipeline Initiative in Political Science (PIPS) 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Fall 2022 This initiative is designed to help students learn about what it means to earn a PhD in political science and how to prepare for and apply to PhD programs. The goal is to build a community of undergraduate scholars who will be connected with each other and with faculty and graduate students at Berkeley. Students will learn about political science research, ways to prepare to be a competitive PhD applicant, and receive support , advice, and mentoring on the application process. Students who are selected for the program will participate in a series of workshops throughout the semester, will be advised on pursuing research opportunities as an undergraduate, and will have the opportunity to receive mentoring from graduate students and faculty. Pipeline Initiative in Political Science (PIPS): Read More [+]

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit up to a total of 1 time.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: One and one-half hours of seminar per week.

Pipeline Initiative in Political Science (PIPS): Read Less [-]

POL SCI C193A Challenge Lab: Building Bridges between Democracy and Technology for a Better Society 4 Units

Terms offered: Not yet offered This experiential course prepares technical, business-minded, and policy-oriented students to build and plan the implementation of a product, startup, or policy innovation from scratch. This course is meant for students who seek a challenging, interactive, team-based, and hands-on learning experience in entrepreneurship and technology. Students can expect to work in an interdisciplinary team to develop novel products and solutions to address existing problems in the realm of democracy and technology. Challenge Lab: Building Bridges between Democracy and Technology for a Better Society: Read More [+]

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit with advisor consent.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 4 hours of seminar per week 15 weeks - 4 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: Four hours of seminar per week. Four hours of seminar per week.

Also listed as: ENGIN C183F

Challenge Lab: Building Bridges between Democracy and Technology for a Better Society: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 196 Special Research Project 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Spring 2014 Independent study of an advanced topic resulting in a substantial research paper. Special Research Project: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Consent of faculty sponsor and department chairman

Summer: 6 weeks - 1-4 hours of independent study per week

Additional Format: Regular individual meetings with faculty sponsor. Regular individual meetings with faculty sponsor.

Special Research Project: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 196S UC Sacramento Internship and Research Seminar 9 - 13 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2007, Spring 2006, Spring 2005 This seminar will introduce students to the theory and practice of policy analysis and development as it relates to legislative action at the state level to maximize students' internship experience. The internship component of the course will provide students with a challenging opportunity to engage in experiential learning in some aspect of the political, policy-making, or governmental processes in California's state capital. This course will permit students to develop a systematic understanding of the public policy and political process in California and to develop analytical writing skills to produce a 25-30 page research paper developing and reflecting on this understanding. This course is part of the University of California Center Sacramento Program and is located in Sacramento. UC Sacramento Internship and Research Seminar: Read More [+]

Credit Restrictions: Unit credit will be based on the number of hours of the internship.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar and 24-36 hours of internship per week

Additional Format: Three hours of seminar and 24 to 32 hours of tutorial per week.

UC Sacramento Internship and Research Seminar: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 196W Understanding the Congressional World: A Field Research Seminar 10.5 Units

Terms offered: Fall 1997, Spring 1997, Fall 1996 This research seminar will explore the workings of Congress and its role in making public policy. It combines elective coursework with the original scholarship requirements of a UCDC research seminar and is designed for students in Congressional internships and those considering Congressional staff positions after graduation. In addition to studying the pathways of lawmaking, we will ask how Congress and its Members relate to the other branches of government, the press, and the public. Understanding the Congressional World: A Field Research Seminar: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Admission to UC Berkeley-Washington Program

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar, 1 hour of colloquium, 3 hours of fieldwork, and 18 hours of internship per week

Additional Format: Two hours of Seminar, One hour of Colloquium, Three hours of Fieldwork, and Eighteen hours of Internship per week for 15 weeks.

Understanding the Congressional World: A Field Research Seminar: Read Less [-]

POL SCI C196A UCDC Core Seminar 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013, Fall 2012, Spring 2012 This course is the UCDC letter-graded core seminar for 4 units that complements the P/NP credited internship course UGIS C196B . Core seminars are designed to enhance the experience of and provide an intellectual framework for the student's internship. UCDC core seminars are taught in sections that cover various tracks such as the Congress, media, bureaucratic organizations and the Executive Branch, international relations, public policy and general un-themed original research. UCDC Core Seminar: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: C196B (must be taken concurrently)

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes. Students may enroll in multiple sections of this course within the same semester.

Summer: 10 weeks - 4.5 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: Three hours of seminar per week. Four and one-half hours of seminar per week for 10 weeks.

Also listed as: GWS C196A/HISTART C196A/HISTORY C196A/MEDIAST C196A/POLECON C196A/SOCIOL C196A/UGIS C196A

UCDC Core Seminar: Read Less [-]

POL SCI C196B UCDC Internship 6.5 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021, Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013 This course provides a credited internship for all students enrolled in the UCDC and Cal in the Capital Programs. It must be taken in conjunction with the required academic core course C196A. C196B requires that students work 3-4 days per week as interns in settings selected to provide them with exposure to and experienc in government, public policy, international affairs, media, the arts or other areas or relevance to their major fields of study. UCDC Internship: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: C196A (must be taken concurrently)

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 20 hours of internship per week

Additional Format: Twenty hours of internship per week.

Also listed as: GWS C196B/HISTART C196B/HISTORY C196B/MEDIAST C196B/POLECON C196B/SOCIOL C196B/UGIS C196B

UCDC Internship: Read Less [-]

POL SCI C196W Special Field Research 10.5 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2019, Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015, Fall 2014, Spring 2014, Spring 2013 Students work in selected internship programs approved in advance by the faculty coordinator and for which written contracts have been established between the sponsoring organization and the student. Students will be expected to produce two progress reports for their faculty coordinator during the course of the internship , as well as a final paper for the course consisting of at least 35 pages. Other restrictions apply; see faculty adviser. Special Field Research: Read More [+]

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit up to a total of 12 units.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar and 25 hours of internship per week

Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of seminar and 60 hours of internship per week 8 weeks - 6 hours of seminar and 50 hours of internship per week

Additional Format: 240-300 hours of work per semester plus regular meetings with the faculty supervisor.

Formerly known as: 196W

Also listed as: GWS C196W/HISTART C196W/HISTORY C196W/MEDIAST C196W/POLECON C196W/SOCIOL C196W/UGIS C196W

Special Field Research: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 197 Field Study in Political Science 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2021 Second 6 Week Session, Fall 2015, Fall 2014 Supervised experience relevant to specific aspects of Political Science in off-campus organizations. Regular individual meetings with faculty sponsor and written reports required. Enrollment is restricted by departmental regulation. Field Study in Political Science: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Consent of faculty sponsor and department chair

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0-2 hours of fieldwork per week

Summer: 6 weeks - 2.5-7.5 hours of fieldwork per week 8 weeks - 1.5-5.5 hours of fieldwork per week

Additional Format: Zero to two hours of fieldwork per week. One and one-half to five and one-half hours of fieldwork per week for 8 weeks. Two and one-half to seven and one-half hours of fieldwork per week for 6 weeks.

Field Study in Political Science: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 197S Field Study in Political Science 0.5 - 2.5 Units

Terms offered: Not yet offered Supervised experience relevant to specific aspects of Political Science in off-campus organizations. Regular individual meetings with faculty sponsor and written reports required. Enrollment is restricted by departmental regulation. Field Study in Political Science: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Consent of Faculty Sponsor or Department Chair

Summer: 8 weeks - 1.5-5.5 hours of fieldwork per week

Additional Format: One and one-half to five and one-half hours of fieldwork per week for 8 weeks.

POL SCI 198 Directed Group Study for Undergraduates 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Submission of study proposal by faculty sponsor to the department chairman one month in advance of the semester to be offered. Group studies of selected topics which vary from year to year. Directed Group Study for Undergraduates: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-4 hours of directed group study per week

Summer: 6 weeks - 1-3 hours of directed group study per week 8 weeks - 1-4 hours of directed group study per week

Additional Format: By arrangement with faculty. Students must produce a minimum of 10 pages of written work for each unit of credit earned.

Directed Group Study for Undergraduates: Read Less [-]

POL SCI 198BC Berkeley Connect 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Berkeley Connect is a mentoring program, offered through various academic departments, that helps students build intellectual community. Over the course of a semester, enrolled students participate in regular small-group discussions facilitated by a graduate student mentor (following a faculty-directed curriculum), meet with their graduate student mentor for one-on-one academic advising, attend lectures and panel discussions featuring department faculty and alumni, and go on field trips to campus resources. Students are not required to be declared majors in order to participate. Berkeley Connect: Read More [+]

POL SCI 199 Supervised Independent Study and Research for Undergraduates 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013 Enrollment is restricted by departmental regulation. Supervised Independent Study and Research for Undergraduates: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Open only to juniors and seniors

Summer: 6 weeks - 2.5-10 hours of independent study per week 8 weeks - 1.5-7.5 hours of independent study per week 10 weeks - 1.5-6 hours of independent study per week

Supervised Independent Study and Research for Undergraduates: Read Less [-]

Contact Information

Department of political science.

210 Social Sciences Building

Phone: 510-642-6323

Fax: 510-642-9515

Department Chair

Scott Straus, PhD

221 Social Sciences Building

[email protected]

Department Vice-Chair and Director of Undergraduate Affairs

Jonah Levy, PhD

762 Social Sciences Building

Phone: 510-642-4686

[email protected]

Undergraduate Advisors

Efrat Amanda Cidon, Suzanne McDermott & Emma Wolfgram

Phone: 510-642-3770

[email protected]

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Admissions Requirements

Application requirements.

Congratulations on taking the next step towards submitting your graduate application! To help you along the way, we’ve compiled a list of requirements to complete your graduate application.

It’s also important to check with the program to which you’re applying, as they may have additional requirements specific to their program of study and degree not listed on this page.

Minimum Admissions Requirements

The minimum graduate admissions requirements are:

• Expect to or hold a bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution.
• A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and
• Enough undergraduate training and/or professional experience to do graduate work in your chosen field.

Academic Records

You must hold or expect to hold a bachelor’s degree prior to the start of classes from a U.S.accredited institution by one of the AACRAO regional accrediting agencies* or a recognized equivalent from an accredited institution outside of the U.S.

* Regionally accredited college or university means an institution of higher education accredited by one of the following regional accreditation associations in the United States:

• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• The Higher Learning Commission (formerly known as North Central Association of Colleges and Schools)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• WASC Senior College and University Commission

Graduates of accredited academic institutions outside the United States should hold a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Please contact Graduate Admissions with questions.

Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. Institution

Required Records : Upload unofficial transcripts (ie, a scanned copy) from every post-secondary school that you have attended, including your undergraduate institution, community colleges, summer sessions, and extension programs.

Bachelor’s Degree from an International Institution

Required Records : Upload a scanned copy of your transcript and degree certificate for each institution after high school. If your academic records are in a language other than English or Spanish, you may submit translations in one of two ways:

• Submit translations prepared by certified translators from the American Translators Association or the Ministry of Education. Degree names and grades should be transcribed, not converted, into English words or the U.S. grades of A-F. 
• Submit an official World Education Services (WES) International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) evaluation (opens in a new tab) . To electronically submit your WES ICAP, follow the instructions provided by WES. Select “University of California at Berkeley” as the recipient and “Graduate Admissions” 318 Sproul Hall #5900, Berkeley, CA 94720-5900 as the school/division.

Evidence of English Language Proficiency

All applicants who have completed a basic degree in a country/region in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. This requirement applies to institutions from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, Israel, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asian countries, most European countries, and countries in Africa in which English is not the official language.

There are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). You can obtain detailed information from the TOEFL website .

We accept the internet based (iBT) and iBT Home Edition. We do not accept the TOEFL ITP or Duolingo .

For purposes of admission, your TOEFL test score must be at least 90 for the Internet-based test (IBT). Please contact individual academic departments for more information, as they may choose to require a higher score.

For Fall 2025, tests taken before June 1, 2023 will not be accepted even if your score was reported to UC Berkeley. Please send your test score directly from ETS to the institution code for UC Berkeley: 4833 for Graduate Organizations. We do not accept MyBest Scores.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

You can also submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Consult the IELTS website to locate the office of the test center where you plan to take the test.

For purposes of admission, your most recent overall band score must be at least 7 on a 9-point scale.

For Fall 2025, tests taken before June 1, 2023 will not be accepted. All IELTS scores must be sent electronically from the testing center, and no institution code is required. Our address for identification purposes is: University of California, Berkeley, Graduate Division, Sproul Hall Rm 318, MC 5900, Berkeley, CA 94720. Please do not mail any score reports to us.

TOEFL/IELTS Exemption

To qualify for a TOEFL/IELTS exemption, you must fulfill one of the following options:

• Have a basic degree from a recognized institution in a country where the official language is English.
• Have completed a basic or advanced degree at an institution, in the United States or a United States institution abroad, where the language of instruction is English and the institution is accredited by one of the United States’ regional accrediting agencies.
• The following courses do not qualify for an exemption: courses in English as a Second Language, courses conducted in a language other than English, courses that will be completed after applicants submit their application, or courses of a nonacademic nature.

The TOEFL or IELTS must be submitted by applicants who do not meet the exemption criteria above.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Other Test Scores

Some programs require applicants to take a standardized test such as the GRE General Test, a GRE Subject Test, the GMAT or MCAT. Consult the program to which you are applying for the department’s requirements.

For the GRE, send your test score directly from ETS to the institution code for UC Berkeley: 4833 for Graduate Organizations. No department code is needed unless specified by the specific program. ETS will not report test scores older than 5 years.

For the GMAT or MCAT, please consult your program for details.

Letters of Recommendation

The application requires at least three letters of recommendation. Applicants should check with their prospective program for questions . Your recommenders are asked to give their personal impressions of your intellectual ability, your aptitude in research or professional skills, your character, and the quality of your previous work and potential for future productive scholarship. Be sure to inform your recommenders of the program’s application deadline.

Applicants may waive the right to inspect their letters of recommendation on a voluntary basis. This option can be selected when you fill out the recommendation invite for your recommender.

The Graduate Division may verify the authenticity of academic letters of recommendation with the school or recommender.

Submit a Statement of Purpose and Personal History statement, along with any other essays the program you are applying to requires.

The Statement of Purpose should describe your aptitude and motivation to enter the program. This can include relevant details about your preparation or specialization in the field. This is a good place to share your academic plans, research interests, and future career goals. Read tips on how to craft your Statement of Purpose .

The Personal History statement describes how your own background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Read tips on how to write your Personal History statement .

Application Fee

If you are a U.S. citizen or current permanent resident, the non-refundable application fee is $135; for all others, the fee is $155.

Fee Waiver : U.S. citizens or permanent residents who demonstrate financial need or have participated in an eligible program may apply for an application fee waiver. See guidelines for waivers .

Fee Exemption : Some programs do not require the application fee payment. See guidelines for fee exemption .

Private: Hello world!

Graduate programs, graduate student fellows.

In Fall 2021 the Citrin Center initiated its Fellows Program, created to recruit promising scholars in public opinion research to UC Berkeley.  The Graduate Admissions Committee for the Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science identified outstanding applicants with the relevant interests to be Citrin Fellows. Fellows are provided with a $2000 research grant to help launch their research.

• 2023 – Andrew Zhao & Sara Jozer
• 2022 – John Konicki and Christian Caballero
• 2021 – Matt Easton

Graduate Student Research Awards

The Citrin Center is pleased to award a number of research grants to UC Berkeley Political Science graduate students studying public opinion every academic year. The total number of awards will be determined by demand, available funds, and the quality of the submitted proposals.

• Rebekah Jones: “Do Different: Crime Politics and the Third Dimension of Justice” ( Link )
• Evelyn Kim: “Status Discordance: The Trend and Political Implications of Disappointed Socioeconomic Expectation”
• Jacqueline Colao: “Voter Learning in US Congressional Primaries” (Link)
• Anna Mikkelborg: “Getting to the “Heart” of White Democrats’ Racial Liberalism: The Emotional Substrates of Liberal Racial Attitudes and Their Effects on Political Mobilization” ( Link )
• Alan Yan: “Can Working Class Solidarity Reduce Racial Prejudice?” ( Link )
• Matt Brundage: “Survey Experiments on Income Inequality and Relative Deprivation”
• Sean Freeder: “The Role of Political Correctness in Elite Communication”
• Elizabeth Mitchell: “All the Wrong Reasons: The Role of Justifications in Political Behavior”
• Rhea Myerscough: “Does Public Opinion on Payday Lending Vary by Racial Group?”

The maximum award amount is $1000. Awarded amounts may be less than requested. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis each academic year until funds are no longer available for that year. Money will be given to students as a stipend upon award.

Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in the UC Berkeley Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science and can be at any stage of the PhD process. Students are eligible to receive a grant once during their graduate studies.

Applications (no more than 2 pages) should include:

• Research description (including project title, research questions, hypotheses, brief literature review and research design/methods)
• Budget (describe specifically how the funds will be used)
• Optional Appendix – survey instrument or other materials (not included in the 2-page limit)

Each awardee is required to submit a brief report on the research project no later than one year after funding is received, along with a memo detailing how Citrin Center funds were used. The report should include a one-page summary of the study’s objective, design, and major findings, suitable for posting on the Citrin Center website.

Please direct any questions to Professor Amy Lerman .

We are currently accepting applications for 2023-2024: Click HERE to apply .

Jack Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research UC Berkeley The Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science 798 Social Sciences Building #1950 Berkeley, CA 94720-1950 [email protected]

• [email protected]
• (650) 338-8226

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Exploring the Berkeley Political Science Program

By Eric Eng

UC Berkeley is renowned for its exceptional academic programs, and the Department of Political Science is no exception. The  Berkeley Political Science program has a long and illustrious history of producing scholars and leaders who make significant contributions to the field of political science.

A Brief History of Political Science Education at Berkeley

The Department of Political Science at UC Berkeley was established in 1901, making it one of the oldest and most esteemed political science programs in the country. Since then, the program has grown tremendously and has produced notable alumni such as Earl Warren, who served as Chief Justice of the United States, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

In recent years, the department has also made significant strides in diversifying its faculty and student body. Additionally, the department has implemented initiatives to increase diversity and inclusion in its undergraduate and graduate programs, including mentorship programs and scholarships for students from marginalized backgrounds.

An Inside Look at the Department of Political Science at UC Berkeley

The Department of Political Science at UC Berkeley is a vibrant and dynamic community of scholars and students who are dedicated to exploring the complexities of politics and governance. The department provides a rigorous and comprehensive education in political science, while also encouraging students to engage in research and civic engagement projects that address the most pressing issues facing our society today.

One of the unique aspects of the Department of Political Science at UC Berkeley is its emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. Students have the opportunity to take courses and work with faculty from a variety of fields, including sociology, economics, and environmental studies. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to gain a more holistic understanding of political issues and to develop innovative solutions to complex problems.

Student Organizations and Activism in the Political Science Community

Berkeley’s political science community is also known for its strong culture of student activism. There are numerous student organizations dedicated to political advocacy, such as the Berkeley Political Review and the Berkeley Forum, which host events and discussions on political issues and current events. Many students also participate in on-campus protests and demonstrations, using their knowledge and passion as tools for social and political change.

In addition to these organizations, there are also opportunities for students to get involved in political campaigns and internships. The Political Science Department offers a variety of internship programs, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in government, non-profit organizations, and political campaigns. These experiences not only provide valuable skills and knowledge but also allow students to make connections and build networks in the political world.

Furthermore, the political science community at Berkeley is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. There are student organizations dedicated to supporting underrepresented groups in politics, such as the Black Political Science Association and the Women in Politics group. These organizations provide a space for students to discuss and address issues related to diversity and inclusion in the political sphere, and work towards creating a more equitable and just society.

The Intersection of Technology and Political Science at Berkeley

Berkeley’s political science program is also unique in that it places a significant emphasis on the intersection of technology and politics. Courses such as “Politics and Big Data” and “Technology and Society” explore the ways in which technology shapes political processes and government policy. This forward-thinking approach ensures that Berkeley students are prepared to navigate the complex landscape of modern politics and policy-making.

Furthermore, Berkeley’s political science program offers students the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research at the intersection of technology and politics. The program’s faculty includes experts in areas such as digital democracy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, who are actively engaged in research projects that explore the impact of technology on political systems and institutions.

Through research assistantships and independent study projects, students can gain hands-on experience in this exciting and rapidly evolving field, preparing them for careers in government, technology, and beyond.

How Berkeley’s Political Science Curriculum Prepares Students for Careers

Berkeley’s political science program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in politics, law, academia, or business. Courses such as “Negotiation and Conflict Resolution” and “Public Administration” provide students with practical skills in leadership, communication, and problem-solving, while the department’s renowned research opportunities allow students to gain valuable experience in conducting and presenting their own research.

Additionally, the program offers a wide range of elective courses that allow students to specialize in areas such as international relations, comparative politics, and political theory. These courses provide students with a deep understanding of the political landscape and the ability to analyze complex issues from multiple perspectives.

Furthermore, the department has a strong network of alumni who are leaders in various fields, providing students with valuable connections and mentorship opportunities. The department also hosts regular events and workshops featuring guest speakers from various industries, allowing students to learn from and network with professionals in their desired career paths.

The Role of Research in Berkeley’s Political Science Program

Research is a key component of Berkeley’s political science program, and the department is known for its groundbreaking research in areas such as international relations, political theory, and public policy. The department encourages students to engage in research projects and provides numerous opportunities through research centers and institutes such as the Center for Democracy, Development, the Rule of Law, and the Institute of Governmental Studies.

One of the unique aspects of research in Berkeley’s political science program is the emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. Students are encouraged to work with faculty and researchers from other departments, such as economics, sociology, and law, to tackle complex political issues from multiple perspectives. This approach not only leads to more comprehensive research but also prepares students for careers in fields that require interdisciplinary problem-solving skills.

Examining the Connection Between Berkeley’s Political Science Program and Local Politics

Berkeley’s political science program is deeply connected to the local political scene, with many faculty members and alumni serving in prominent positions in Bay Area politics. The department’s partnerships and collaborations with local governments and organizations provide students with unique opportunities to engage in local politics and civic engagement.

One notable example of the program’s impact on local politics is the Berkeley City Council, which has had several alumni as members over the years. These alumni have brought their knowledge and expertise from the program to their roles in city government, shaping policies and decisions that affect the community.

Additionally, the program’s emphasis on community engagement and activism has inspired many students to get involved in local politics, leading to a more diverse and representative political landscape in the Bay Area.

The Future of Political Science Education at Berkeley

Berkeley’s political science program has always been at the forefront of innovative research and education, and the department shows no signs of slowing down. The department is constantly updating and refining its curriculum to ensure that students are receiving the most comprehensive education possible while continuing to explore new areas of research and inquiry in the ever-evolving political landscape.

In addition to its commitment to providing students with a comprehensive education, the political science department at Berkeley is also dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. The department actively seeks out and supports underrepresented students, and works to create a welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their background or identity.

Looking ahead, the department is also exploring new ways to incorporate technology into its curriculum, with the goal of enhancing the learning experience for students. This includes the development of online courses and interactive learning tools, as well as the integration of data analysis and visualization techniques into the study of political science.

Comparing UC Berkeley’s Political Science Program to Other Top Programs in the US

When compared to other top political science programs in the US, UC Berkeley stands out for its academic rigor, emphasis on research, and strong sense of community. The department’s renowned faculty, cutting-edge research opportunities, and commitment to social and political justice make it one of the most prestigious programs in the country.

Additionally, UC Berkeley’s political science program offers a wide range of courses that allow students to specialize in various subfields, such as international relations, comparative politics, and political theory.

The program also provides students with numerous opportunities to engage in hands-on learning experiences, such as internships, research projects, and study abroad programs. These experiences not only enhance students’ academic knowledge but also prepare them for successful careers in various fields, including government, law, academia, and non-profit organizations.

Understanding the Diversity and Inclusivity Initiatives in UC Berkeley’s Political Science Community

Diversity and inclusivity are core values of Berkeley’s political science community. The department is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse student body and faculty and promotes a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the community. The department also offers numerous resources and support services for students from marginalized communities, including the Berkeley Fung Institute for Diversity in Democracy and the Black Political Association.

In addition to these resources, the department also hosts regular events and workshops focused on diversity and inclusivity in political science. These events provide opportunities for students and faculty to engage in meaningful discussions and learn from each other’s experiences. The department also encourages students to take courses that explore issues related to diversity and social justice, such as “Race and Ethnic Politics” and “Gender and Politics.”

A Guide to Resources for Students Studying Political Science at UC Berkeley

Students who are interested in studying political science at UC Berkeley have a wealth of resources and support services available to them. The department provides comprehensive academic advising and career counseling, as well as research opportunities, internships, and extracurricular activities. The department’s website is a valuable resource for students who are interested in learning more about the program’s requirements, courses, and activities.

One of the unique features of the political science program at UC Berkeley is the opportunity for students to participate in research projects with faculty members. These projects cover a wide range of topics, from international relations to domestic policy, and provide students with hands-on experience in conducting research and analyzing data. Additionally, the department hosts regular seminars and workshops where students can present their research and receive feedback from their peers and faculty members.

Another valuable resource for political science students at UC Berkeley is the university’s extensive library system. The main library on campus, the Doe Library, houses a vast collection of political science journals, books, and other resources. In addition, the library offers research assistance and workshops on topics such as citation management and literature reviews. Students can also access online databases and journals through the library’s website, making it easy to conduct research from anywhere.

The Impact of UC Berkeley’s Political Science Program on National and Global Politics

The impact of UC Berkeley’s political science program on national and global politics cannot be overstated. The department’s alumni have served in prominent positions in the United States government, including the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court, and have also made significant contributions to international organizations such as the United Nations.

The department’s cutting-edge research and work in areas such as climate change and democracy promotion continue to shape the discourse and policies around these critical issues.

Furthermore, UC Berkeley’s political science program has also played a significant role in shaping public opinion and activism. Many of the department’s faculty members and students have been at the forefront of social and political movements, advocating for issues such as civil rights, gender equality, and environmental protection.

The program’s emphasis on critical thinking and civic engagement has inspired generations of students to become active and informed citizens, contributing to a more just and equitable society.

UC Berkeley’s political science program is a dynamic and transformative community of scholars and students who are committed to exploring the complexities of politics and governance. With its comprehensive curriculum, groundbreaking research opportunities, and commitment to diversity and inclusivity, the department is preparing the next generation of leaders, scholars, and activists who will shape the future of politics and policy-making in the United States and beyond.

One of the unique aspects of UC Berkeley’s political science program is its emphasis on experiential learning. Students have the opportunity to participate in internships, community service projects, and research initiatives that allow them to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world situations. This hands-on approach not only enhances students’ understanding of political processes, but also prepares them for successful careers in a variety of fields, including government, law, and advocacy.

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Film & Media

The graduate program in film & media, about the film & media ph.d. program.

Students in the Film & Media Ph.D. Program are encouraged to situate moving images within the larger theoretical and analytical frameworks of a range of other disciplines. They integrate the traditions of History, Law, Literature, Religion and Political Theory to the newer disciplines of Film Studies and Digital Media, applying the tools of Post-Structuralism, Psychoanalysis, New Historicism, Frankfurt School, Feminist Theory, Queer Theory, Post-Colonialism and Deconstruction. Many combine their degree study with a campus Designated Emphasis (graduate “minor”) in New Media, in Critical Theory, or in Women, Gender and Sexuality.

The Film & Media Ph.D. emphasizes film and media history and theory, but also includes a digital-media production component that can be interwoven with the student’s other areas of study. Through a cooperative effort with the Department of Art Practice and the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies, the Department of Film & Media has helped to found the Digital Media Labs Consortium, a humanities-based initiative that pools production resources and coordinates courses of instruction to widen the possibilities in advanced digital-media production. Art Practice also offers an MFA that includes production in digital media and new genres. Other production degrees on campus include the Graduate School of Journalism’s M.A. in documentary film production.

During their first two years, graduate students in the Film & Media Ph.D. take a course in Film Theory, a course in Film Historiography, a Proseminar that orients new students to the professional field of Film & Media Studies, and other seminars chosen from a range of electives (see sample topics in the “Courses” section). Beginning in their fifth semester, students begin to prepare in greater depth for their doctoral Qualifying Examinations and dissertation research. Because the Department of Film & Media at Berkeley is committed to interdisciplinary research, students are required to work in significant ways with faculty in other departments as well as with Film & Media Faculty.

The Film & Media Ph.D. has about 25 graduate students. Students are admitted to the program in the Fall semester only.  The application deadline for admission in Fall 2025 is December 3, 2024, 8:59 p.m. PST. Start the online application at:  Applying for Graduate Admission.  Please note that the Department of Film & Media admits students for a Ph.D. only. Although an M.A. degree is awarded after partial completion of the requirements for the Ph.D., there is no M.A. program as such with its own curriculum.

Graduate Advisors

Kathleen pera jangar, weihong bao.

Weihong Bao is Pamela P. Fong and Family Distinguished Chair in China Studies and an Associate Professor of Film and Media & East Asian Languages and Cultures, UC Berkeley. She has published widely on comparative media history and theory, media and environment, early cinema, war... Read more about Weihong Bao

Graduate Student Handbook 2024-2025

People / Students

Alex hall rocha.

Alex Hall Rocha is a Master’s student at the Energy and Resources Group. Her interests include community-based participatory research and how it can be used to address cases of environmental injustice. Through her research, she aims to understand better how solutions to ongoing environmental challenges can be informed and enabled by local knowledge and input.

Prior to joining ERG, Alex worked as an Operations Manager at Spotify. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and communication from Santa Clara University.

[email protected]

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Discussion forum for current, past, and future students of any discipline completing post-graduate studies - taught or research.

Plan for Berkeley Political Science PhD.

I recently decided I want to be accepted to the political science grad program at UC Berkeley. Its close to home and is a great program. However, I already know my GPA is too low to be accepted to the program at this point. It hurts to come to terms with but I never tried in college because I didn't think I needed good grades since I wasn't planning on going to grad school. Now, I am set to graduate in Fall 2017 and would have to apply by Dec. 1st of 2017 to be accepted for Fall 2018. That means I only have this next semester to boost my GPA and even if I got all As, my GPA would still fall between 3.1-3.3.

My question is, if I attend a masters program at my current college, would I be able to get my PhD at Berkeley? Berkeley's program is one that encompasses the masters and phd together so that you can only be accepted for entire study to attain your phd if that makes sense. Since thats the case, does that mean they only take students who only have their bachelors or will they also take students with masters as well? Secondly, should I stay in college for an extra semester and graduate in Spring 2018 instead of Fall 2017 in order to boost my GPA? The problem I see with this though is that my spring 2018 grades wouldn't be looked at in my application so there wouldn't really be a point then correct? Or am I missing something here.

I would love your help in this quite stressful time. Thank you all in advance :)

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Political Science

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Are you interested in current events and political systems? The political science major gives students a broad understanding of political concepts, institutions, behavior and processes. Students can take courses focusing in American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory.

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You will begin your studies with fundamental courses in contemporary political science and the historical foundations of modern politics. At the upper-division level, you will study a broad range of topics in political theory, American government and institutions, public law, and international relations and comparative political systems.

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