General Studies – 18 Unit Emphasis | SC Program: AS.1516

This emphasis allows students to explore the social and behavioral sciences as a foundation for lifelong learning, or as introduction to the related fields of anthropology, psychology, sociology, economics, geography, history, and political science.

Choose your path

Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.

A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.

Fall Semester, First Year

16 Units Total
ENGL 1A
GE 4
Reading & Composition
ENGL 1A
Units 4
This course is the transferable course in composition currently offered to qualified freshmen at practically all American colleges and universities. It presupposes that the students already have a substantial grasp of grammar, syntax, and organization, and that their writing is reasonably free from errors. The course concentrates on developing effective writing and reading. A library research paper is required for successful completion of the course. This composition class is also taught by Distance Learning. In these sections of ENGL 1A, students will be required to attend class lecture/discussion in a virtual on-line classroom instead of physically attending in a classroom. This will require participation through a text-only Internet connection utilizing a WebCT classroom. Minimum requirement: ability to access World Wide Web addresses. Students may access WebCT through any Internet ramp, including Personal Computer or Web T.V. connection or any Internet connection accessible through the local library, work, school, etc.
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SOC 3
3
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
SOC 3
Units 3
This course is an introduction to the basic statistical methods and analyses commonly used in the behavioral sciences. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics; levels and types of measurement; measures of central tendency and dispersion; normal, t, and chi-square distributions; probability and hypothesis testing; and correlation and regression. Applications of statistical software to the behavioral sciences and/or other social science data is required. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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PSYC 1A
3
General Psychology
PSYC 1A
Units 3
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190 or English Placement Level 6 or higher. PSYC 1A is the basic introductory course for the study of psychology as a science and as a profession. It provides both a general survey and intensive introduction to these concepts and elementary principles which are unique to psychology. Topics include perception, learning, development, motivation, personality, abnormal behavior, and biological and social bases of behavior. This course is also offered as Distance Education but is the same in content as that offered on campus.
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STU 1
GE 3
College Success
STU 1
Units 3
This intensive course is designed to assist students in obtaining the skills and knowledge necessary to reach their educational objectives. Students will have an opportunity to examine controversial issues of value and conflict, employ effective methods of stress management, and most importantly, apply strategies for achieving academic success. Topics covered include: motivation and discipline, memory development, time management, communication skills, career and transfer planning and a wide variety of student skills and techniques for college success.
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ECE 1
GE 3
Human Development
ECE 1
Units 3
This course involves a study of development and behavior throughout the human life span. Classic and up-to-date research on the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains will be presented. Theories will be integrated with practical application concepts throughout the course, underscoring the importance of life-long learning and adaptation. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, First Year

15 Units Total
NUTR 25
GE 3
Nutrition
NUTR 25
Units 3
This course includes a study of the science of food, the nutrients and other substances therein, and their actions, interactions, and balance in relation to health and disease. The class emphasizes the positive contributions of nutrition to life and health. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIST 2
GE M 3
World Civilization to 1500 C.E.
HIST 2
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher

This course is a comparative survey of the major ancient world civilizations which developed between 3500 B.C.E. and 1500 C.E. It examines political institutions, religious ideologies, the rise and fall of empires, and the major cultural innovations of each of the major world civilizations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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SOC 1
GE M 3
Introduction to Sociology
SOC 1
Units 3
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190, or English Placement Level 6 or higher. This course is designed to introduce the beginning student through discussion and lectures, to the basic terminology, concepts and methods necessary for a sociological analysis of social behavior in a group or social context. The course is an introductory course, thus, it deals with breadth, not depth. The major elements of sociological analysis surveyed are culture, society, social groups, socialization, social stratification, social change, collective behavior, deviance, symbolic communication and alienation. This course is also offered as a distance education course in video/CD ROM format, video format and internet format. In the Internet format, students will attend lectures and discussions in a virtual online classroom instead of meeting with the instructor on campus. Students will participate through an Internet connection. Minimum requirements: ability to access World Wide Web addresses.
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HUSV 70
GE M 3
Intro to Social Work and Human Services
HUSV 70
Units 3
An introductory overview of social welfare and the societal institutions in the U.S. that structure the provision of social services. The course presents a historical perspective on the development of U.S. social work and human services. Special attention is given to current service delivery systems, their policies and procedures, and the tasks of culturally responsive social workers and human service workers within those settings.
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POLS 2
GE 3
Introduction to American Government
POLS 2
Units 3
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190 or ESL 138, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

An introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. Examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy. This course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Fall Semester, Second Year

15 Units Total
CMST 10
GE 3
Interpersonal Communication
CMST 10
Units 3
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190, or English Placement Level 6 or higher. This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with emphasis on interpersonal communication. Emphasis is placed on the psychological, social, cultural, and linguistic factors which affect normal person-to-person interactions. Subjects covered are listening, verbal and nonverbal communication, self-awareness/self-concept, perception, emotions, relationships, communication climates, and conflict management. Students will increase their knowledge and skills in interpersonal communication. College level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines and short essays. This class satisifes the Oral Communication requirement for the Associate Degree.
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SOC 2
3
Social Problems
SOC 2
Units 3
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190, or English Placement Level 6 or higher. The course involves the student in the formal sociological analysis of some of the major problems of life - crime, delinquency, drug addiction, race relations, etc. Each semester the course emphasizes an investigation of the expression of a problem of consequence to both the nation and local community. This course is also offered as a distance education course in video/CD ROM format, video format and Internet format. In the Internet format, students will attend lectures and discussions in a virtual online classroom instead of meeting with the instructor on campus. Students will participate through an Internet connection. Minimum requirements: ability to access World Wide Web addresses.
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SOC 25
3
Sociology of Minorities
SOC 25
Units 3
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190, or English Placement Level 6 or higher A survey course designed to introduce the student to identification and sociological analysis of present-day racial minority groups in the United States. This course is also offered as a distance education course in video/CD ROM format, video format and Internet format. In the Internet format, students will attend lectures and discussions in a virtual online classroom instead of meeting with the instructor on campus. Students will participate through an Internet connection. Minimum requirements: ability to access World Wide Web addresses.
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ECON 1A
GE 3
Principles of Economics-Micro
ECON 1A
Units 3
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 280, or English Placement Level 5 or higher (ECON 1A is not a prerequisite for ECON 1B).

This course is a study of the basic institutions and principles of microeconomics and so it concentrates on the parts of an economic system; the markets, the producers, the consumers and the structures of basic industries along with systems for relative resource use and income determination. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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PSYC 5
GE 3
Human Sexuality
PSYC 5
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 190 with a grade of C or higher.

An informative course in human sexuality, including human development from conception to adulthood. The anatomy and physiology of sex as well as behavioral and social aspects of human sexuality, and myths and laws governing sexual practices will be covered. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, Second Year

15 Units Total
ETHS 1
GE 3
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHS 1
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ANTH 2
GE 3
Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 2
Units 3
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 280 or English Placement Level 5 or higher. An introductory course exploring the nature of culture as the human adaptation to the natural world. It includes such topics as making a living, family structure, social organization and institutions, language, religion, art, and cultural change. The Distance Education version of Cultural Anthropology may be offered over the Internet, but it is the same in content as that offered on campus.
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HUSV 16
GE 3
Marriage and Family
HUSV 16
Units 3
This is an introductory course to marriage and family. Topics studied include dating, courtship, marriage, family life, dual career marriages, divorce, single parenting, domestic violence and other contemporary issues. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ADJU 10
GE 3
Intro to Administration of Justice
ADJU 10
Units 3
The history and philosophy of administration of justice in America. Recapitulation of the system, identifying the various sub-systems, role expectations, and their inter-relationships; theories of crime, punishment, and rehabilitation ethics, education and the training for professionalism in the system. This course may be offered in a distance learning format. Required for Administration of Justice majors.
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PSYC 17
GE 3
Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 17
Units 3
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in PSYC 1A; and a grade of C or higher in ENGL 1A, or English Placement Level 7.

This course provides an overview of psychological disorders, their characteristics, etiology, and treatment. The course discusses the many specific types of mental illness along with fundamental issues such as historical and modern perspectives on mental illness, diagnosis and assessment, research methods, intervention and therapies, and legal and ethical issues. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.

*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:

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