A.A. in Social Sciences
The degree in social sciences is concerned with providing a broad understanding of the social, cultural, and intellectual world in which we live. Social science students have diverse interest in human problems and seek a liberal education in a broad spectrum of understandings, insights, and appreciations.
The emphases in this degree are multidisciplinary in nature and seek to provide an understanding of the interrelationships and varied methodologies of its subject areas.
Students will study about themselves and others as members of a larger society. Topics of discussion will stimulate critical thinking about ways people have acted in response to their societies and will allow students to evaluate how societies and social subgroups operate.
The specific emphases in this degree prepare students to transfer to UC and CSU as well as private and out-of-state 4-year schools in variety of disciplines, including geography, gender studies, Latino and Chicano studies, and international relations.
PLEASE NOTE: The courses that universities and colleges require for transfer vary. When selecting courses for transfer purposes, students should consult with a counselor to determine the particular transfer requirements of specific transfer institutions
A.A. Degree Level Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Social Sciences A.A. Degree will:
- Demonstrate understanding of social science issues and vocabulary.
- Demonstrate analytic thinking by comparing and applying social science theories and concepts to human culture, economics, history, or political questions.
- Develop an understanding of cultural, social, economic, historical, and/or political views different from one’s own.
Students receiving this degree must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the District General Education Pattern, CSUGE or IGETC.
If transferring to a CSU or UC students are strongly recommended to complete the CSUGE or IGETC General Education Patterns. Students looking to transfer to an out of state or private college should consult with a counselor for the appropriate GE pattern selection. - Complete with a “C” or better each course as specified by the major.
- Maintain an overall GPA of a 2.0 or better in all degree applicable coursework.
- Meet the local area requirement of Kinesiology/Dance.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one (1) of the following History courses: | ||
| History of the United States before 1877 | 3 | |
or HIST 107H | History of the United States before 1877 - Honors | |
| History of the United States since 1877 | 3 | |
or HIST 108H | History of the United States since 1877 - Honors | |
| Select one (1) of the following Political Science courses: | ||
| American Government and Politics | 3 | |
or POLI 103H | American Government and Politics - Honors | |
| Select one (1) of the following additional core courses: | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 | |
or ANTH 210H | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - Honors | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
or PSY 101H | Introduction to Psychology - Honors | |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
or SOC 201H | Introduction to Sociology - Honors | |
| Areas of Emphasis (select one) | ||
| Select one of the following areas of emphasis - Chicano and Latino Studies, Gender Studies, Geography, or International Relations - and complete all required courses and electives within that area. | ||
| 1) Emphasis in Chicano and Latino Studies | ||
| Chicano and Latino Studies offers an interdisciplinary and comparative approach to understanding the historical experiences, contemporary social status, challenges, and accomplishments of Mexican, Mexican American, and Latino populations in the United States. | ||
| Required course: | ||
| Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies | 3 | |
| Select two (2) of the following courses: | ||
| American Latino Literature | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| Latin American Culture and Civilization | 3 | |
or SPAN 130 | Latin American Culture and Civilization | |
| History of Latin America to 1825 | 3 | |
| History of Modern Latin America | 3 | |
| History of Mexico | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity | 3 | |
| May include one of the following: | ||
| Spanish III | 5 | |
or SPAN 201H | Spanish III - Honors | |
| Spanish IV | 5 | |
| Intermediate Spanish for Spanish Speakers I | 5 | |
| Intermediate Spanish for Spanish Speakers II | 5 | |
| 2) Emphasis in Gender Studies | ||
| Gender studies is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the role of gender in society and culture. | ||
| Required course: | ||
| Introduction to Gender | 3 | |
| Select two (2) of the following courses: | ||
| Sex and Gender in Cross Cultural Perspectives | 3 | |
or ANTH 216H | Sex and Gender in a Cross Cultural Perspective - Honors | |
| Introduction to World Literature: 1600's through Twentieth Century | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women's Literature | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
or SOC 118 | Race and Ethnicity | |
| Cultural Geography | 3 | |
| Great Religions of the World | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
or PHIL 106H | Introduction to Philosophy - Honors | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
or PSY 101H | Introduction to Psychology - Honors | |
| Psychology of Women | 3 | |
| Public Address | 3 | |
or SPCH 101H | Public Address - Honors | |
| Argumentation and Debate | 3 | |
| Introduction to Theatre Arts | 3 | |
or THEA 101H | Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors | |
| 3) Emphasis in Geography | ||
| Geography is an interdisciplinary study focusing on the spatial relations of physical, cultural and economic systems of our world. | ||
| Required courses: | ||
| Cultural Geography | 3 | |
| Physical Geography | 3 | |
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 | |
| 4) Emphasis in International Relations | ||
| The international relations program provides an interdisciplinary integrated approach to an understanding of society and events, preparing the student for a variety of perspectives in a rapidly changing world. | ||
| Required courses: | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | |
or ECON 101H | Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors | |
| International Relations | 3 | |
| Select two (2) of the following courses: | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 | |
or ANTH 210H | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - Honors | |
| Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology | 3 | |
| Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies | 3 | |
| Cultural Geography | 3 | |
| History of World Civilization up to 1500 C.E. | 3 | |
or HIST 103H | History of World Civilization up to 1500 C.E./Honors | |
| History of World Civilization since 1500 | 3 | |
or HIST 104H | History of World Civilization since 1500 - Honors | |
| The World in Conflict - The 20th Century, a History | 3 | |
| Great Religions of the World | 3 | |
| Comparative Politics | 3 | |
| Total Units | 18-21 | |
2-Year Curriculum Map Example
This map represents one possible pathway through the program and is only for reference.
*It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.
Note: Co-requisite MATH course (2 units) and/or substitute ENGL 101E (5 units) may be needed based on placement.
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 206 | Pathways to Careers in STEM | 3 |
| ANTH 210 |
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - Honors or Introduction to Sociology or Introduction to Sociology - Honors |
3 |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H |
Reading and Composition or Reading and Composition - Honors |
4 |
| MATH 160 |
Mathematics for Everyday Living - A Liberal Arts Course or Introductory Statistics or Introductory Statistics - Honors |
4 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Winter Term 1 | ||
| SPCH 101 or SPCH 101H |
Public Address or Public Address - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| PSY 101 or PSY 101H |
Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Psychology - Honors |
3 |
| ENGL 103 |
Composition and Critical Thinking or Composition and Critical Thinking - Honors or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors |
3 |
| HIST 107 |
History of the United States before 1877 or History of the United States before 1877 - Honors or History of the United States since 1877 or History of the United States since 1877 - Honors |
3 |
| ANTH 212 & 212L |
Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Introduction to Physical Anthropology Lab |
4 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Summer Term 1 | ||
| POLI 103 or POLI 103H |
American Government and Politics or American Government and Politics - Honors |
3 |
| KIN 170 |
Fitness for Life or Health and Wellness in Society or Health and Wellness - Honors or Introduction to Nutrition |
3 |
| Units | 6 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| GEOG 118 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| ECON 101 |
Principles of Macroeconomics or Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors or International Relations |
3 |
| GEOG 102 |
Cultural Geography or History of World Civilization up to 1500 C.E. or History of World Civilization up to 1500 C.E./Honors or History of World Civilization since 1500 or History of World Civilization since 1500 - Honors or The World in Conflict - The 20th Century, a History or History of Mexico |
3 |
| ARCH 250 |
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art or History of Photography or Introduction to the Visual Arts or Motion Picture Appreciation or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors or History of Dance or History of Rock and Roll or Introduction to Theatre Arts or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 12 | |
| Winter Term 2 | ||
| ETHN 101 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| SOC 202 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 220 | Introduction to Gender | 3 |
| SOC 118 | Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| ETHN 116 | Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies | 3 |
| ANTH 216 |
Sex and Gender in Cross Cultural Perspectives or Sex and Gender in a Cross Cultural Perspective - Honors or American Latino Literature or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems or Psychology of Women |
3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 66 | |
Note: Course selections may affect total unit value.
Career Opportunities
There are a variety of careers you can do with this major.
To explore more about this major, schedule an appointment with a career counselor.