Degree Requirements and Courses
Learn more about certificate and degree requirements, course content, recommended sequence, and schedule.
University Studies: Social Sciences AA Degree
University Studies – 21 Unit Emphasis | SC Program: AA.1501
The A.A. in University Studies, Social Sciences emphasis is designed to provide students with a strong foundation for the study of humanity from diverse perspectives. It is an excellent starting point for students interested in pursuing baccalaureate degrees in anthropology, history, political science, psychology, sociology.
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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
14 Units TotalENGL 1A
GE
4
Reading & Composition
ENGL 1A
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
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
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
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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STU 90
1
Career Choice
STU 90
A course designed for students who are undecided about their educational and/or career goals. Through a series of group exercises, and career development testing, students learn to identify personal values, interests, skills, aversions, and personality patterns and understand how they relate to choices in the world of work. Students learn to access occupational information, develop decision-making skills and set career goals. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, First Year
16 Units TotalCMST 60
GE
3
Public Speaking
CMST 60
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 public speaking. Subjects covered are audience analysis, choosing speech topics, finding and using supporting materials, arranging and outlining related points, essentials of speech delivery and evaluation. College level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines and short essays.
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This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with emphasis on public speaking. Subjects covered are audience analysis, choosing speech topics, finding and using supporting materials, arranging and outlining related points, essentials of speech delivery and evaluation. College level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines and short essays.
BIOL 5
GE
3
Introduction to Human Biology
BIOL 5
An introductory one semester course in human anatomy and physiology. Topics include the cells, tissues, and selected anatomy and physiology of all the human systems.
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BIOL 6
GE
Lab
1
Introduction to Human Biology Lab
BIOL 6
Corequisite: Student must be concurrently enrolled in, or have completed BIOL 5 with a grade of C or higher.
A laboratory course designed to complement BIOL 5. A one-semester human anatomy and physiology laboratory course. Exercises include microscopy, practical anatomy, physiology, and physiological instrumentation.
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ECON 1A
GE
M
3
Principles of Economics-Micro
ECON 1A
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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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.
SOC 1
GE
M
3
Introduction to Sociology
SOC 1
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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ECE 1
GE
M
3
Human Development
ECE 1
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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Fall Semester, Second Year
15 Units TotalHIST 2
GE
M
3
World Civilization to 1500 C.E.
HIST 2
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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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.
ASTR 2
GE
3
Stellar Astronomy
ASTR 2
A survey course designed to introduce the science of astronomy concentrating on celestial bodies and phenomena beyond the solar system. This course covers aspects of the history of astronomy, light, telescopes, prominent scientists, the sun, stars, stellar evolution, galaxies, cosmology, and the possibility of other life forms in the Universe. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ENGL 1B
GE
3
Literature & Composition
ENGL 1B
Course is an introduction to the study of literature, some of its major themes and types, including poetry, short story, novel and drama. Critical and analytical thinking, reading, and writing skills are stressed, with emphasis on close textual analysis and use of textual evidence to support ideas about literary works. Students will learn to argue and refute interpretations of literature and to recognize a wide variety of strategies employed to achieve literary effects. Students taking the Internet format of this course must have access to the Internet.
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HUSV 70
GE
M
3
Intro to Social Work and Human Services
HUSV 70
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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HUM 2
GE
3
Exploring the Humanities
HUM 2
This course is designed to explore the humanities by examining expression of human values, ideas, concerns, and experience through the arts, literature, media and the social sciences. The reading of important works in the humanities, written analysis, and attendance at selected performances are major requirements of this course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, Second Year
15 Units TotalETHS 1
GE
3
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHS 1
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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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.
ART 2
GE
3
Western Art Through the Renaissance
ART 2
A historical survey course of the visual arts including architecture, crafts, engraving, etching, graphics, painting, sculpture, and woodcuts. Historical periods covered are Stone Age, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Aegean, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Byzantine, Christian, Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. (30,000 B.C. - 1500 A.D.) Required for the Art Core Program and recommended for Humanities elective.
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POLS 2
GE
3
Introduction to American Government
POLS 2
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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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.
HIST 17B
GE
3
United States History
HIST 17B
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190, or English Placement Level 6 or higher, or a grade of C or higher in ESL 138
This course is a survey of the history of the United States from 1877 to the present. The course covers the rise of industrialization, the expansion of America into world affairs, the causes and results of the Great Depression, the world wars of the 20th century, the Cold War, and post-9/11 America. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is a survey of the history of the United States from 1877 to the present. The course covers the rise of industrialization, the expansion of America into world affairs, the causes and results of the Great Depression, the world wars of the 20th century, the Cold War, and post-9/11 America. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
SOC 25
GE
3
Sociology of Minorities
SOC 25
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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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:
- California State Universities – General Education
- IGETC – Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
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