General Studies: Arts and Humanities Emphasis, Associate in Arts

This degree provides an opportunity for students to earn an Associate in Arts (AA) degree in a comprehensive area of study. It is intended for the student who is not currently preparing to transfer to a university. A minimum of 60 semester units must be completed with an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better in all degree-applicable units. Only courses numbered 1-299 may be applied toward this Associate degree. The Humanities encompass thought and language, and reflect, interpret, and communicate concepts, values, beliefs, and traditions held individually, socially, and culturally. Study of the Humanities develops an awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the human condition and of how that condition relates to personal and societal needs, values, and achievements. The performing and visual arts are unique in that the mode of communication is primarily presentational rather than discursive, and the deepest meanings in the arts are non-verbal.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Analyze and interpret human thought, achievement, and expression relevant to such branches of knowledge as philosophy, literature, and/or the fine and performing arts, and to communicate the results.

Associate in Arts Degree Major Requirements

Required Core
Select 18 units from at least two disciplines from courses listed below:18
Visual Fundamentals: Two-Dimensional Design
Visual Fundamentals: Three-Dimensional Design
Color Fundamentals
Survey of the Arts
Ceramic Handbuilding I
Ceramic Wheel Throwing I
Introduction to Ceramic Sculpture
Alternative Throwing Techniques
Alternative Firing Techniques
Sculpture I
Understanding Art
Western Art I
Western Art II
Survey of Asian Art
Greek and Roman Art and Architecture
Renaissance Art and Architecture
Introduction to Photography
Photography I: Black and White
History of Photography
Drawing and Composition I
Figure Drawing I
Painting I
Introduction to Printmaking
Introduction to Film/Video
News Writing Workshop
Introduction to Nonverbal Communication
Dance Appreciation
World Cultural Dance
Introduction to Literature
Introduction to Great Books
Literature by and About Women
Introduction to Shakespeare
Introduction to Poetry
Great Books Seminar I
Great Books Seminar II
Great Books Seminar III
Survey of American Literature I
Survey of American Literature II
Comics As Literature
Survey of World Literature I
Survey of World Literature II
Survey of British Literature I
Survey of British Literature II
Latin American Literature
The Great Novel
Mexican-American and Chicano Art
African-American Arts and Music
Ethnic Images in Film
Chicano History 1848 to Present
African Americans in U.S. History to 1877
African Americans in U.S. History 1865 to Present
Elementary French I
Elementary French II
Intermediate French
Advanced French
Intermediate French Conversation I
Intermediate French Conversation II
Prehistory and Earliest Civilizations (To 1200 B.C.)
Foundations of the Classical World (1200-500 B.C.)
The Golden Age of Greece (500-300 B.C.)
The Medieval World: Part I (400-1100)
The Medieval World: Part II (1100-1350)
The Early Renaissance (1350-1520)
Late Renaissance and Reformation (1520-1600)
Foundations of the Modern World (1600-1690)
The Age of Reason (1690-1775)
Reaction and Revolution (1775-1815)
The Age of Progress (1815-1870)
The End of Innocence (1870-1918)
Between the Wars (1918-1945)
World War II to the Present (1945-Present)
Medieval and Renaissance Europe (400-1520)
The Age of Revolution (1690-1870)
The Modern World (1870-Present)
Introduction to Gender and Women’s Studies
Gender, Sexuality, and Popular Culture
Women of Color in the U.S.
Literature by and About Women
Introduction to LGBTQ Global Literatures
Introduction to Feminist Theory
Western Civilization I
History of World Religions
History of California
Chicano History 1848 to Present
African Americans in U.S. History to 1877
African Americans in U.S. History 1865 to Present
Images of Women in the Arts
Exploration of Values in Living
Humanities in Multicultural America
Introduction to Feminist Theory
Elementary Japanese I
Elementary Japanese II
Intermediate Japanese
Foundations of Language
Introduction to Linguistics
Introduction to Language and Gender
Introduction to the History of the English Language
Introduction to Nonverbal Communication
Introduction to Language and Society
Introduction to the Psychology of Language
Introduction to Discourse Analysis
Music Appreciation
Introduction to Broadway Musicals
Introduction to Jazz and Pop
Introduction to World Music
Music Theory and Musicianship I
Music Theory and Musicianship II
Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to Ethics
Introduction to World Religions
Introduction to Eastern Philosophy
Introduction to Feminist Theory
Politics in Film
Elementary American Sign Language I
Elementary American Sign Language I Lab
Elementary American Sign Language II
Intermediate American Sign Language
Advanced American Sign Language II
Structure and Culture of American Sign Language
Introduction to Deaf Culture
Elementary Spanish I
Elementary Spanish for Spanish Speakers I
Elementary Spanish II
Elementary Spanish for Spanish Speakers II
Intermediate Spanish I
Intermediate Spanish for Spanish Speakers I
Intermediate Spanish II
Intermediate Spanish for Spanish Speakers II
Literature of the Spanish-Speaking World
Spanish Through Film
Spanish Composition and Conversation
Hispanic and Latino/a Culture
Intermediate Spanish Conversation I
Intermediate Spanish Conversation II
Intercultural Communication
Oral Interpretation of Literature
Introduction to Theatre
Survey of Radio and Television
Intercultural Drama
Film Appreciation
Script Analysis
Writing for the Theatre I
Beginning Screenwriting
History of Film: 1880s through 1950s
History of Film: 1950s to Present
Theatre Enjoyment
The Roman Republic and Rise of Empire (500 BCE - 14 CE)
The Roman Empire (14 - 600 CE)
The Classical World (1200 BCE - 14 CE)
TOTAL MAJOR UNITS18
Additional Requirements42
Complete Competency Requirements, general education pattern (MPC General Education, CSU General Education, or IGETC), and electives, if needed, for a total of 60 degree-applicable units.
Total Units60

Please refer to the graduation requirements section of the Catalog for information about degree and certificate requirements including Reading and Writing, Mathematics, Information Competency, and General Education requirements.