Lower-Division Coursework

By the time our students graduate from our program, they are expected to become well-immersed in the subfields of political science. We encourage and recommend students to begin the work in the major by enrolling the introductory course to the major (PLS 1011) in their first semester at Cal Poly Pomona. Freshmen should aim to complete most of these lower-division courses by the end of Year 2. Transfers should aim to complete most of these lower-division courses by the end of Year 1.  Should you have additional questions, please consult the 2026-2027 Catalog, check the Political Science Curriculum Sheet and Roadmaps on the Advising sub-menu, or contact your advisor in the department.

What classes do I need to take?

To complete your required core, also known as your lower-division courses, you need to enroll in 9 classes. They are:

PLS 1011: Introduction to Political Science (only offered in fall semesters)
PLS 2010: Introduction to American Government
PLS 2020: Introduction to Comparative Government
PLS 2030: Introduction to International Relations
PLS 2040: Introduction to Political Thought
PLS 2051: Introduction to Research Methods
PLS 2060: Introduction to Public Administration
- Students can elect to take PLS 2080: Introduction to Race and Ethnic Politics instead.
PLS 2070: Introduction to Public Law
PLS 3055/A: Advanced Research Methods (PLS 2051 is a prerequisite)

Should I take lower-division courses in a specific order?

Freshmen. We recommend that freshmen students (with no prior college coursework) enroll in PLS 1011: Introduction to Political Science in their first semester at Cal Poly Pomona. This course also counts for the GE Area E requirement. You should plan on taking PLS 2051/A: Introduction to Research Methods in your second year at Cal Poly Pomona. PLS 3055/A: Advanced Research Methods should be taken in Year 3. Otherwise, all other lower-division courses should be finished by the end of Year 2, albeit in whatever order your prefer to take the courses.

Transfer. If you have taken American Government, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, Public Administration, and/or Public Law at a community college, make sure those units transfer to cover credit for those courses. In your first semester, enroll in PLS 1011: Introduction to Political Science and PLS 2051/A: Introduction to Research Methods. In your second semester, enroll in PLS 3055/A: Advanced Research Methods. Otherwise, all other lower-division courses should be accounted for by the end of Year 1.

PLS 1011

Introduction to Political Science

A course for political science majors designed to introduce them to the resources available for the study of, and careers in, political science, including the development and practice of research skills, presentation skills, and career strategies. This course is only offered in the fall semesters each academic year.

PLS 2010

Introduction to American Government

Faculty and students examine the United States constitutional and political philosophies, intergovernmental relations, political institutions and processes, and the rights and obligations of citizens.

PLS 2020

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Faculty and students study contemporary international affairs, with an emphasis on politics among states. This core area examines national foreign policies, the organizational, legal and economic dimensions of the state system, the causes of war, and the future of the global order.

PLS 2030

Introduction to International Relations

Faculty and students study contemporary international affairs, with an emphasis on politics among states. This core area examines national foreign policies, the organizational, legal and economic dimensions of the state system, the causes of war, and the future of the global order.

PLS 2040

Introduction to Political Thought

Faculty and students examine the writings of selected philosophers on central questions of political life such as political order, governance, freedom and liberty, equality, justice, rights, the public interest, power. This area studies the conceptions and principles of normative political theory.

PLS 2051

Introduction to Research Methods

Faculty and students examine the methods of the social sciences as applied to the study of politics. This area questions how social scientists attempt to answer empirical questions about politics and various designs involved in the discipline of political science.

PLS 2060

Introduction to Public Administration

Faculty and students study the structures, functions, principles, and processes of American governmental administration. This area pays particular attention to the importance and growth of government administration and to the principles and processes of establishing, directing, and evaluating governmental programs.  

PLS 2070

Introduction to Public Law

Students and faculty examine public law’s theoretical and historical foundation, and its functioning within legislative, judicial and administrative institutions of government.

PLS 2080

Introduction to Race/Ethnic Politics

Students and faculty examine the role of four historically excluded groups in American Politics: African Americans, Asian Americans, Latina/o Americans, and Native Americans.

PLS 3055 & A

Advanced Research Methods & Activity

Students are expected to master quantitative analysis and statistics, utilizing advanced techniques and the statistical program R to understand political questions.

Clubs & Organization

Build Experience

One of the strengths of our program is that students find community, networks, and build experience in a wealth of polytechnic experiences beyond the classroom.

Explore PLS Clubs