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.
UC Santa Cruz politics students have many opportunities for field work and for internship placements. Students are encouraged to develop their own extensive independent research projects.
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.
Undergraduate Adviser
The undergraduate adviser offers specific information about navigating through the program and the curriculum and assists students with prerequisites, requirements, policies, procedures, learning support, guidance on internships, scholarships, and opportunities for undergraduate research.
Contact polimajor@ucsc.edu.
Transfer students should also consult the Transfer Information and Policy section
Peer Advisers
Peer advising assists with academic planning, major and minor requirements, preparing declaration paperwork and provides guidance on UCDC program requirements.
Contact lgstpoli@ucsc.edu.
Major Qualification
Students may declare the major after completing two lower-division politics courses (POLI 1–POLI 79) with grades of C or better. These courses are normally taken during the first year for frosh.
Appeal Process
A student who has not been able to satisfy the pre-declaration requirement (a passing grade in two politics lower-division classes) may petition the department for an exception. The letter of petition must explain and document the circumstances that might justify an exception. The department will consider the request and notify the student of its decision within 15 days of receiving the petition.
How to Declare a Major
Students who are eligible to declare the major must bring a completed declaration of major worksheet and politics major worksheet to the Politics advising office to officially declare.
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific major preparation courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz.
A transfer student may satisfy the requirement for one of the two lower-division courses by completing an equivalent transferable course in a political science or equivalent department with a grade of C or better. The second lower-division course must be completed at UC Santa Cruz.
Courses from another institution may be considered only if they appear on the student’s Transfer Credit Summary. Students who wish to substitute transferable courses taken elsewhere for the politics major’s requirements should discuss the procedure with the department adviser.
Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student
To ensure a smooth transition into UCSC and timely completion of the major, transfer students should meet with the politics undergraduate adviser as early as possible to discuss a two-year major planner and course enrollment. Completion of a lower-division politics course in the first quarter will allow timely declaration of the major (required in the second quarter of enrollment).
The department accepts proposals for double majors. A student pursuing a double major meets the full requirements of the politics major as well as the full requirements of the other major.
The Politics Department offers a combined major with the Latin American and Latino Studies Department. Requirements may be found in the Latin American and Latino studies section of the catalog.
Honors in the politics major are awarded to graduating seniors, based primarily on a review of grades, whose academic performance is judged to be consistently excellent by a committee of politics faculty. Highest honors in the major are reserved for students with consistently outstanding academic performance.