The study of politics is a critical part of a liberal arts education. Since political issues and practices are embedded in and reflective of the whole experience of a community, the study of politics can constitute the center of a broad-based course of study drawing on history, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, political science, economics, literature, science, and law.

Politics students at the University of California, Santa Cruz have many opportunities for field work and for internship placements. Students are encouraged to develop their own extensive independent research projects. The Politics Department also encourages students to pursue additional academic opportunities while at UC Santa Cruz. Possible programs include: the UCDC program, a one-quarter program at the UC campus in Washington, D.C. that includes coursework and an internship, UC Sacramento, a one-quarter program at the UC Center in Sacramento, and the UC Education Abroad Program.

Politics faculty members give students individual attention to help them in their studies. Faculty members are firmly committed to the value of a liberal arts education, but they are also actively engaged in programs of research and writing. The research interests of the faculty range from questions of justice to the problem of war, from campaign strategy to relations between the rich and the poor countries of the world.

No specific courses at the high school level are required for admission to the major in politics at UCSC. Courses in history, literature, philosophy, and the social sciences, whether taken at the high school or college level, are appropriate background and preparation for the politics major.

A major in politics is appropriate for students interested in careers in law, journalism, or teaching; in political and governmental work from local to international settings; in non-governmental organizations; and in corporations dealing with regulatory or global issues. Many UCSC politics graduates have also gone on to do advanced work in distinguished graduate and professional schools. Others have found active and challenging careers in business and community organizing. Still others have turned to scholarship and writing. But regardless of career direction, the most significant purpose of the politics major is to help educate a reflective and activist citizenry capable of sharing power and responsibility in a contemporary democracy.

Mga Resulta ng Pagkatuto ng Programa

Upon completion of the major, students will have met the following objectives:

✔ understand the origins, development, and nature of political institutions, practices, and ideas;

✔ place particular political phenomena in broader context (national, historical, cross-cultural, and theoretical, etc);

✔ demonstrate familiarity with various theoretical approaches to the study of politics, and their application in different geographic and substantive areas;

✔ critically evaluate arguments about political institutions, practices, and ideas based on logic and evidence;

✔ develop and sustain coherent written and oral arguments regarding political phenomena, theories, and values based on appropriate empirical and/or textual evidence and logic.