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
BIOL 5
Contemporary Health Issues
BIOL 13
Human Reproduction, Development and Aging
BIOL 15
Human Sexuality
or BIOL 15H
 Human Sexuality - Honors
CHLD 1
Child, Family, School and Community
CHLD 10
Child Growth and Lifespan Development
or CHLD 10H
 Child Growth and Lifespan Development - Honors
CHLD 11
Child and Adolescent Development
PSYC 1A
Introduction to Psychology
or PSYC 1AH
 Introduction to Psychology - Honors
PSYC 1B
Biological Psychology
or PSYC 1BH
 Biological Psychology - Honors
PSYC 14
Developmental Psychology
or PSYC 14H
 Developmental Psychology - Honors
PSYC 15
Introduction to Child Psychology
PSYC 19
Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 25
The Psychology of Women
PSYC 26
Psychology of Sexuality
SOC 1
Introduction to Sociology
or SOC 1H
 Introduction to Sociology - Honors
SOC 2
Contemporary Social Problems
or SOC 2H
 Contemporary Social Problems - Honors
SOC 4
Introduction to Gerontology
SOC 5
Introduction to Criminology
or SOC 5H
 Introduction to Criminology - Honors
SOC 14
Marriage and the Family
or SOC 14H
 Marriage and the Family - Honors
SOC 15
Sociology of Childhood and Adolescence
SOC 20
Introduction to Race and Ethnicity
or SOC 20H
 Introduction to Race and Ethnicity - Honors
SOC 40
Introduction to Sex and Gender Roles
or SOC 40H
 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
ANTH 1
Biological Anthropology
or ANTH 1H
 Biological Anthropology - Honors
ANTH 1L
Biological Anthropology Laboratory
ANTH 4
Archaeology
ANTH 5
Cultural Anthropology
or ANTH 5H
 Cultural Anthropology - Honors
ANTH 6
Language and Culture: An Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
ANTH 30
The Native American
BIOL 6
Humans and the Environment
BIOL 6L
Humans and the Environment Laboratory
BIOL 17
Neurobiology and Behavior
BIOL 25
Conservation Biology
GEOG 1
Physical Geography
or GEOG 1H
 Physical Geography - Honors
GEOG 1L
Physical Geography Laboratory
or GEOG 1LH
 Physical Geography Laboratory - Honors
GEOG 2
Human Geography
or GEOG 2H
 Human Geography - Honors
GEOG 5
World Regional Geography
GEOG 8
Urban Geography
GEOG 30
Geography of California
PUBH 24
Introduction to Public Health
PUBH 26
Introduction to Global Public Health
PUBH 27
Public Health and the Environment
Category 3: Economics, History, and Political Science
Choose a minimum of three units from the following:3
AGAG 1
Food Production, Land Use, and Politics - A Global Perspective
BUSC 1A
Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics
or BUSC 1AH
 Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics - Honors
BUSC 1B
Principles of Economics - Microeconomics
or BUSC 1BH
 Principles of Economics - Microeconomics - Honors
BUSM 50
World Culture: A Business Perspective
HIST 1
History of the United States
HIST 3
World History: Prehistoric to Early Modern
or HIST 3H
 World History: Prehistoric to Early Modern - Honors
HIST 4
World History: Early Modern to the Present
or HIST 4H
 World History: Early Modern to the Present - Honors
HIST 7
History of the United States to 1877
or HIST 7H
 History of the United States to 1877 - Honors
HIST 8
History of the United States from 1865
or HIST 8H
 History of the United States from 1865 - Honors
HIST 30
History of the African American 1619-1877
HIST 31
History of the African American
HIST 35
History of Africa
HIST 36
Women in American History
HIST 39
California History
HIST 40
History of the Mexican American
POLI 1
Introduction to American Government and Politics
or POLI 1H
 Introduction to American Government and Politics - Honors
POLI 2
Comparative Politics
POLI 9
International Relations
POLI 10
Environmental Politics
POLI 25
Latino Politics in the United States
POLI 35
African American/Black Politics
Recommended Electives
LIBR 1
Library Research Methods and Resources
MATH 110
Elementary Statistics
or MATH 110H
 Elementary Statistics - Honors
PSYC 3
Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
PSYC 10
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
SOC 23
Introduction to Statistics in Sociology and Social Sciences
SPCH 7
Intercultural Communication
or SPCH 7H
 Intercultural Communication - Honors
SPCH 26
Interpersonal Communication
or SPCH 26H
 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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