Welcome to the Political Science Department at SJSU. The department has a long and rich history. Formed in 1962, a time when San Jose State University was known as San Jose State College, more than 4,000 students have earned a bachelor's degree in political science. Faculty, students and staff of the Department of Political Science engage in teaching and learning critically and systematically about politics, public affairs, public institutions, and their problems. Our mission thus embraces elements of the liberal arts, citizenship, and social science education. A major strength of SJSU's student body is its diversity. Our students vary in their economic status, ethnic background, age, experience, and educational objectives. The department's courses and programs respond to this diversity, offering our students knowledge and skills essential to citizenship as well as pre-professional education in preparation for a variety of careers or for graduate school.