Political Science - Home

Political science is the study of governments, public policies, and political processes and behaviors. Using a number of scientific tools, political scientists are able to examine the processes, policies, and political systems of all cultures and places.

Political science students gain skills that are useful in a number of fields and occupations, including governments, law, business and industry, international organizations, nonprofit groups, and electoral politics.

Transfer possibilities

The courses presented at Pierce College are lower division prerequisites for a political science major in all of Washington's colleges and universities. Students working toward a transfer degree typically take a variety of courses designed to fulfill the general requirements of most four-year colleges and universities. Since the requirements for each institution vary, these students are encouraged to work closely with their advisor to ensure they meet the requirements of the college they wish to attend after Pierce.

Political science major

The following courses are recommended for students preparing to major in political science:

  • POLS& 101: Intro to political science
  • POLS& 202: American government
  • POLS& 203: International relations
  • ENGL& 101: English composition I
  • ENGL 107: Composition: Writing about literature
  • MATH& 146: Intro to statistics
  • CMST& 102: Intro to mass media
  • CMST& 220: Public speaking
  • HIST& 156-158: History of the United States I-III
  • PHIL& 101: Intro to philosophy
  • CJ 112: Criminal justice in America
  • POLS& 200: Introduction to law
  • PSYC& 100: General psychology
  • SOC& 101: Intro to sociology
  • ANTH& 206: Cultural anthropology or GEOG 207: Economic geography
  • ANTH&205: Biological anthropology
  • GEOG 205: Intro to physical environment
  • OCEA& 101: Intro to oceanography
  • GEOL& 101: Intro to physical geology or GEOL& 110: Environmental geology

Julie Werbel
Political Science Instructor (FS)
(206) 463-3074

John Lucas
Political Science Instructor (PY)
(253) 840-8369

Christopher Vanneson
History Instructor (PY)
(253) 840-8479