Culture & Society
Political Science

When you study “Politics” in our program at College of Alameda, we seek to be supportive of your learning goals in being better prepared as a more effective “Global Citizen” in “a Knowledge Economy,” guided by democratic values, and an “ethic of public service” in the 21st Century modern world system. In all of our work together, our area of emphasis is Social Justice and futures consciousness. We accomplish much of our work through the Center for Community Change and Urban Leadership. With information made available to you in an understandable, useful, and illuminating way, YOU will achieve a degree of mastery in a self-reflective approach to applying social-political theories in your own lives, wherein “each moment of your lives is a vote for the future in which you will live” (Francis Moore-Lappe).
What You Will Learn
Our courses in politics address your needs as a whole person, worker, and citizen in the 21st-century modern world system. By taking these courses, you will learn in Three Program Learning Realms (“outcomes”) in which we seek to prepare you here; you will:
- Achieve a Mastery of a body of knowledge about your world – to see the world more clearly from a larger set of perspectives.
- Achieve a Proficiency in critical political thinking and “Futures Consciousness” – to use your knowledge more effectively in the world.
- Greater capacity for personal, social, and political efficacy – to be better able to apply these perspectives as life skills in living a more satisfying life, as:
- a person,
- a worker, and
- a citizen.
So, why study the future? Well, after all, the future is where you will spend the rest of your lives!
Student Testimonials
“Easily the most helpful… at CoA I felt genuinely cared about in being able to learn what I needed to learn.”
“… learning how to be a critical thinker, and how to be more effective in the world. There is a promise that you will grow, if you allow your beliefs to be challenged.”
“…the most real political science you’ll ever take. What we learned makes the world make more sense. You’ll learn to ‘think about the things you think about’! “
Recommended Course Sequence
Please refer to the Course Catalog.
What can I do with a degree in Political Science?
The Politics Program at College of Alameda is an “Applied Politics Department.” Majoring in politics at College of Alameda can prepare you to move in one of four directions:
- The traditional major
- Violence Prevention and Social Justice Studies
- Public Law and Public Service
- Public Administration and Emergency Management / Homeland Security
Political Science majors learn to be strong writers, public speakers, and researchers. Students receive assistance in finding and receiving credit for internships. We promise to work with you in being better prepared with “life-long learning to learn” life success skills — empowering you as you seek employment and in your efforts to transfer to four-year institutions.
Careers for Political Scientists include: government employment, public service, public administration, public policy analysis, legislative advocacy, business, international relations, and teaching.
Degrees & Certificates
Political Science – AA-T Degree
Contact Information
Robert Brem
Political Science, Psychology Faculty
rbrem@peralta.edu
Hasmik Geghamyan
Faculty
hgeghamyan@peralta.edu
Judith Hurtado-Ortiz
Faculty
jhortiz@peralta.edu
Ronald Lomax
Faculty
rlomax@peralta.edu
Sarah Oddie
Faculty
soddie@peralta.edu