Social & Behavioral Sciences Emphasis (AA Degree A8991)

Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Degree A8991

The intent of this degree is to prepare students for careers and/or higher education in the social sciences, generally, or in the specific disciplines within the overall social science designation. This degree emphasizes the nature of individual and collective human behavior; our interactions; the political economic, social, and psychological structures and institutions of human beings; and the challenges of developing and sustaining interpersonal and intercultural relationships. This degree will enhance their ability to explain how groups and subgroups operate to make responsible political, moral, and social decisions.
Select at least one course (three units minimum) from each category. Select additional 9 units from any course not already used in category 1, 2, or 3 for a total of 18 units. This degree requires the completion of General Education coursework plus the following:

Required Courses

Course Prefix Course Name Units
Core Courses
Select at least one course from each of the three categories9
Category 1: Psychology, Sociology and Human Development:
Choose a minimum of 3 units from the following3
Contemporary Health Issues
Human Reproduction, Development and Aging
Human Sexuality
Human Sexuality - Honors
Child, Family, School and Community
Child Growth and Lifespan Development
Child Growth and Lifespan Development - Honors
Child and Adolescent Development
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Psychology - Honors
Biological Psychology
Biological Psychology - Honors
Developmental Psychology
Developmental Psychology - Honors
Introduction to Child Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
The Psychology of Women
Psychology of Sexuality
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology - Honors
Contemporary Social Problems
Contemporary Social Problems - Honors
Introduction to Gerontology
Introduction to Criminology
Introduction to Criminology - Honors
Marriage and the Family
Marriage and the Family - Honors
Sociology of Childhood and Adolescence
Introduction to Race and Ethnicity
Introduction to Race and Ethnicity - Honors
Introduction to Sex and Gender Roles
Introduction to Sex and Gender Roles - Honors
Category 2: Anthropology, Geography and Biology as it relates to Society
Choose a minimum of three units from the following:3
Biological Anthropology
Biological Anthropology - Honors
Biological Anthropology Laboratory
Archaeology
Cultural Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology - Honors
Language and Culture: An Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
The Native American
Humans and the Environment
Humans and the Environment Laboratory
Neurobiology and Behavior
Conservation Biology
Physical Geography
Physical Geography - Honors
Physical Geography Laboratory
Physical Geography Laboratory - Honors
Human Geography
Human Geography - Honors
World Regional Geography
Urban Geography
Geography of California
Introduction to Public Health
Introduction to Global Public Health
Public Health and the Environment
Category 3: Economics, History, and Political Science
Choose a minimum of three units from the following:3
Food Production, Land Use, and Politics - A Global Perspective
Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics
Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics - Honors
Principles of Economics - Microeconomics
Principles of Economics - Microeconomics - Honors
World Culture: A Business Perspective
History of the United States
World History: Prehistoric to Early Modern
World History: Prehistoric to Early Modern - Honors
World History: Early Modern to the Present
World History: Early Modern to the Present - Honors
History of the United States to 1877
History of the United States to 1877 - Honors
History of the United States from 1865
History of the United States from 1865 - Honors
History of the African American 1619-1877
History of the African American
History of Africa
Women in American History
California History
History of the Mexican American
Introduction to American Government and Politics
Introduction to American Government and Politics - Honors
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Environmental Politics
Latino Politics in the United States
African American/Black Politics
Recommended Electives
Library Research Methods and Resources
Elementary Statistics
Elementary Statistics - Honors
Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Introduction to Statistics in Sociology and Social Sciences
Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication - Honors
Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal Communication - Honors
Total Units18

Program Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:

  • Analyze cultural and gender diversity in humans.
  • Explain the development of the person within society.
  • Explain how biology relates to behavior or society.
  • Discuss historical and political implications on society.

​Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Looking for guidance? A counselor can help.This Guided Pathways for Success (GPS) is a suggested sequence of coursework needed for program completion. It is not an official educational plan. Schedule an appointment with a counselor or advisor as soon as possible to create an individualized Mountie Academic Plan (MAP) specific to your goals and needs.

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Term 1Units
ENGL 1A Freshman Composition 4
AA/S MATH Meet AA/AS Math Comptcy Req 3
3 additional units from choice requirements 3  
BIOL 13 OR BIOL 15 OR BIOL 5 OR CHLD 1 OR CHLD 10 OR CHLD 11 3  
PSYC 14 OR PSYC 15 OR PSYC 19 OR PSYC 1A OR PSYC 1B OR PSYC 25 OR PSYC 26 0  
SOC 1 OR SOC 14 OR SOC 15 OR SOC 2 OR SOC 4 OR SOC 5 0  
SOC 20 OR SOC 40 0  
 Units7
Winter Term 1
SPCH 1A Public Speaking 4
AA/S KINES Phys Ed (KIN) Activity Course .5
 Units4.5
Spring Term 1
AA/S ARTS Area C-1 Arts Course 3
AA/S USHIS Area D-1 Hist/Pol Sc Course 3
AA/S LIFE Area E Lifelong Undrstg Course 3
3 additional units from choice requirements 3  
AGAG 1 OR BUSC 1A OR BUSC 1B OR BUSM 50 OR HIST 1 OR HIST 3 3  
HIST 30 OR HIST 31 OR HIST 35 OR HIST 36 OR HIST 4 OR HIST 7 OR HIST 8 0  
HIST 40 OR POLI 1 OR POLI 10 OR POLI 2 OR POLI 25 OR POLI 9 0  
POLI 35 0  
 Units9
Summer Term 1
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
 Units3
Fall Term 2
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
3 additional units from choice requirements 3  
ANTH 1 OR ANTH 1L OR ANTH 30 OR ANTH 4 OR ANTH 5 OR ANTH 6 3  
BIOL 17 OR BIOL 25 OR BIOL 6 OR BIOL 6L OR GEOG 1 OR GEOG 1L 0  
GEOG 2 OR GEOG 30 OR GEOG 5 OR GEOG 8 OR PUBH 24 OR PUBH 26 0  
PUBH 27 0  
 Units9
Winter Term 2
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
Take electives to reach 60 degree applicable units 0  
 Units6
Spring Term 2
AA/S SCNCE Area B-1 or B-2 Science Course 3
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
AA/S ELECT Degree Appl Course (Elective) 3
Social Behavioral Sciences emphasis, AA A8991 1  
Submit petition to Admissions Records Submit petition to Admissions Records  
 Units12
 Total Units50.5
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