Pre-Political Science, A.A. (General Transfer)

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Academic Program Code; 535

This academic program lays the foundation for students to transfer to a 4-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Political scientists study how and why people engage in political processes. Political Science is divided into several sub-fields: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory and Research Methods. This program offers courses in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations and Political Theory. The courses provide a solid preparation for advanced study of Political Science and are transferrable to colleges and universities in Michigan. By declaring this Pre-Major, students are on track to graduate with both an Associate of Arts degree from GRCC and a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution.

General Education Courses

Select a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work from the General Education course list. Course work must be selected as directed in the areas below.

English Composition and Communciations

EN 101 - English Composition I Credit Hours: 3
Select an EN or COM course from the list below (based on your transfer requirements).
EN 102 - English Composition II Credit Hours: 3
OR
COM 131 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
OR
COM 135 - Interpersonal Communication Credit Hours: 3

Humanities

Select two (2) Humanities General Education Electivies from two (2) different subject areas. Only one (1) Foreign Language course can be used for the Humanities General Education requirement.

Humanities General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course

Humanities General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course

Social Sciences

Select one (1) Social Sciences General Education Elective from a subject other than PS.

PS 110 - American Government Credit Hours: 3
Social Sciences General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Natural Sciences

Select two (2) Natural Sciences General Education courses from two (2) different subject areas; one (1) must be a lab.

Nat Sci Lab/Non Lab General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course
Nat Sci Lab General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course

Mathematics

Select one (1) Mathematics General Education Elective.

Mathematics General Education - Elective (Must meet MTA requirements) Credit Hours: varies by course

General Education Total Credit Hours

30 (minimum)

Program Courses

PS 201 - Comparative Governments Credit Hours: 3
PS 202 - International Relations Credit Hours: 3
PS 230 - Introduction to Political Theory Credit Hours: 3
Select three (3) of the following courses.
PS 200 - State and Local Politics Credit Hours: 3
PS 215 - Asian Politics Credit Hours: 4
PS 245 - Great Decisions Credit Hours: 3
PS 250 - American Constitutional Foundations Credit Hours: 3

Program Elective Courses

Select a minimum of twelve (12) Open Elective credit hours to be used toward electives, minor, program, BA, or BS requirements at the 4-year institution. Students are encouraged to seek advising in selecting these courses.

Open Elective - 3 Credit Credit Hours: 3
Open Elective - 3 Credit Credit Hours: 3
Open Elective - 3 Credit Credit Hours: 3
Open Elective - 3 Credit Credit Hours: 3

Total Credit Hours

Transfer Notes

Contact the university/college you intend to transfer to for assistance with course selections and verification of the transferability of course credits.

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards

1. Essential judgment skills to include: ability to identify, assess, and comprehend conditions surrounding political situations for the purpose of problem solving in political science and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions.

2. Essential physical/neurological functions to include: ability to use the senses of seeing and hearing to engage in the practice of political science. Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include, but are not limited to observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course and program expectations.

3. Essential communication skills to include: ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty and all members of the Political Science program. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication.

4. Essential emotional coping skills: ability to manage potential stressors that accompany tasks necessary to safely engage in the practice of Political Science as determined by professional standards of practice. The potential stressors include, but are not limited to, sounds and images of wars, physical conflicts and materials potentially insulting to one’s personal values and beliefs

5. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include: ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of Political Science.