Academic Catalogs

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Associate of Arts Degree

Banner Code: 3_AA_SOBS

Control Number: 18056

Financial Aid Eligible


The Social and Behavioral Sciences area of emphasis provides a broad understanding of the social, cultural, and intellectual world in which we live. Students who choose this area of emphasis typically have a diverse interest in human problems and seek a liberal education in a broad spectrum of understandings, insights, and appreciations. Multidisciplinary in nature, this area of emphasis seeks to provide an understanding of the interrelationships and varied methodologies of its many subject areas. The Social and Behavioral area of emphasis develops students’ intellectual and emotional understanding, appreciation, and insights which prepares them for jobs in government services, commerce or industry, and teaching.

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Utilize methods and theories from the social and behavioral sciences to collect, interpret, and apply quantitative and/or qualitative evidence to understand the human experience on an individual and/or societal level.
  2. Employ methods and theories from different disciplines to analyze social and behavioral problems, policies related to these problems, and how they both change over time.

Review Graduation Requirements and General Education

Course Title Units
Required Core
Complete the following:
Select at least 18 units of the following:18
Cultural Anthropology
Introduction to Archaeology
World Cultures
Global Perspectives of Food and Culture
Global Perspectives of Food and Culture
Introduction to Linguistics
Developing and Understanding Happiness
Economic Issues and Policy
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
History of Ethnic Minorities in the United States
History of Ethnic Minorities in the United States
Racial and Ethnic Relations in America
Racial and Ethnic Relations in America
World Regional Geography
California Geography
Cultural Geography
Latin American History and Culture
History of American Women
Chicano History
History of California
World History 1
World History 2
United States History to 1876
United States History since 1876
Western Civilization 1
Western Civilization 2
Introduction to Human Services
Helping Theories and Intervention Strategies
Introduction to Crisis Intervention
Treatment Issues in Substance Abuse
Cultural Competence in Health & Social Services
Cultural Competence in Health & Social Services
Human Services Seminar
Human Services Field Studies
Introduction to Mass Communications
Survey of Current Issues
Law and Democracy
American Government
Introduction to International Relations
Comparative Government and Politics
Political Theory
Introduction to Political Science
Introduction to Psychology
Child Growth and Development
Life Span Developmental Psychology
Principles of Human Sexuality 1
Psychology of Aging
Psychology of Aging
Health Psychology
Health Psychology
Psychobiology
Abnormal Psychology
Social Psychology
Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Dating, Relationships, and Marriage
Introduction to Aging Studies
Introduction to Aging Studies
Analysis of Social Problems
Units Required for Area of Emphasis18
Local General Education, CSU General Education, or IGETC patternVaries
Electives to satisfy unit requirementVaries
Total Units60