General Studies: Social Science 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 may not be currently transferring 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.
Social Science courses provide theory and instruction on the role of institutions, groups and individuals in society. These courses focus on the interaction of social, historic, economic, political, geographic, linguistic, religious, and/or cultural factors, with emphasis on the ways humans understand the complex nature of their existence. Courses emphasize the understanding of human and societal development within the context of issues which could divide people and culture (e.g., racism, colonialism, geopolitical issues and economic inequities) and the complex relationships between culture, individual development and historical context. Courses include discussion of skills and practices used by the social sciences: data collection, hypothesis development and testing, and critical evaluation of evidence.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Form a provable thesis, develop it through factual research, distinguish between fact and opinion, and make effective rhetorical choices in relation to audience and purpose.
- Analyze and evaluate complex issues or problems, draw reasoned conclusions and/or generate solutions, and effectively communicate their results.
- 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.
- Critically examine and comprehend human nature and behavior, social traditions, and institutions.
- Examine interactions and interconnections across cultures.
Associate in Arts Degree Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| Select 18 units from at least two disciplines of the following: | 18 | |
| Introduction to Administration of Justice | ||
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Archaeology and Prehistory | ||
| Primate Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Native American and Indigenous Peoples of the United States | ||
| Gender in Global Perspective | ||
| Entrepreneurial Mindset | ||
| Mass Media Methods | ||
| Introduction to Nonverbal Communication | ||
| Child Growth and Development | ||
| Child, Family, and Community | ||
| Teaching in a Diverse Society | ||
| The American Economic System | ||
| Principles of Economics: Macro | ||
| Principles of Economics: Micro | ||
| Introduction to Teaching and Education | ||
| Education Service Learning Lab | ||
| Critical Thinking and Public Education | ||
| Mexican-American and Chicano Art | ||
| African-American Arts and Music | ||
| Ethnic Images in Film | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies | ||
| Introduction to Race and Ethnicity | ||
| Sociology of Latinos and Latinas | ||
| American Government and African American Politics | ||
| Chicanos in American Politics | ||
| Native American and Indigenous Peoples of the United States | ||
| Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in American Society | ||
| Chicano History 1848 to Present | ||
| African Americans in U.S. History to 1877 | ||
| African Americans in U.S. History 1865 to Present | ||
| 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 Physical Geography | ||
| Introduction to Human Geography | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Introduction to Global Studies | ||
| Global Issues | ||
| Introduction to Gender and Women’s Studies | ||
| Gender and Violence | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Popular Culture | ||
| Women of Color in the U.S. | ||
| Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies | ||
| Sports and Social Justice | ||
| Gender in American Politics | ||
| Women in United States History | ||
| Introduction to LGBTQ Global Literatures | ||
| Gender in Global Perspective | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Theory | ||
| Western Civilization I | ||
| Western Civilization II | ||
| History of World Religions | ||
| World History to 1500 | ||
| World History Since 1500 | ||
| Modern Latin America | ||
| Women in United States History | ||
| History of California | ||
| United States History to 1877 | ||
| United States History from 1865 | ||
| History of Mexico | ||
| Chicano History 1848 to Present | ||
| African Americans in U.S. History to 1877 | ||
| African Americans in U.S. History 1865 to Present | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Theory | ||
| Sport in Society | ||
| Psychology of Fitness and Sport Performance | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology | ||
| 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 | ||
| Introduction to Dialects from Here and There | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Theory | ||
| Introduction to American Government and Politics | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory and Thought | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Politics of Developing Countries | ||
| Introduction to Political Science Research Methods | ||
| Gender in American Politics | ||
| Politics of Migration and Citizenship | ||
| Politics in Film | ||
| Introduction to the Politics of Identity | ||
| Introduction to Law and Society | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Social Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Women | ||
| Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences | ||
or SOCI 19 | Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences | |
| Lifespan Development | ||
| Introduction to Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Biological Psychology | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Structure and Culture of American Sign Language | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Contemporary Social Problems | ||
| Introduction to Social Psychology | ||
| Mass Media and Popular Culture | ||
| Introduction to Gender and Sexuality | ||
| Introduction to Race and Ethnicity | ||
| Sociology of Latinos and Latinas | ||
| Introduction to Research Methods | ||
| Introduction to Crime and Deviance | ||
| Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in American Society | ||
| Sociology of Marriages and Families | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Introduction to Communication Theory | ||
| 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 UNITS | 18 | |
| Additional Requirements | 42 | |
| 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 Units | 60 | |
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.