Academic Catalogs

Social Justice Studies, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer

Banner Code: 2_AAT_SJSGEN

Control Number: 40296

Financial Aid Eligible


The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Social Justice prepares students to complete a baccalaureate degree in a wide variety of majors with an emphasis on ethnic or gender studies. These degrees include Social Justice Studies, African American Studies, Africana Studies, American Indian Studies, Asian American Studies, Chicano/Chicana Studies, Ethnic Studies, Gender Studies, Women Studies, Peace Studies, and Sociology with a Concentration in Race Studies or Diversity.  The program focuses on human interaction and diversity within ethnic or gender groups. Students will learn social dynamics, with primary emphasis on cultural or gender diversity. Completion of this major will provide a solid foundation for people interested in a wide variety of careers, including: social welfare, gerontology, urban planning, business, education, and public health. 

Program Level Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Demonstrate cultural and global awareness across diverse groups in society.
  2. Examine social construction that impacts groups with ethnic or gender diversity.
  3. Apply critical thinking and communication to theoretical constructs of human interaction with an emphasis on diverse groups in the population. 
  4. Describe the process of social change in the pursuit for equal rights.

Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements

Associate Degrees for Transfer require students to meet the following requirements:

  • Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
  • Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
  • Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
  • Completion of IGETC and/or CSU GE-Breadth.

Students should consult a GWC counselor in order to select the best pathway to meet their educational goals. For students who intend to transfer, the choice of general education will be specific to both their major and transfer institution.

Course Title Units
Required Courses
SOC G111Social Justice and U.S. Ethnic Communities3
or SOC G133 Introduction to Race and Ethnicity
SOC G115Introduction to LGBTQ Studies3
or SOC G140 Introduction to Gender
or ANTH G200 Gender, Culture, and Society
SOC G110Introduction To Marriage And The Family3
or SOC G134 Introduction to Chicana/o Studies
or PSYC G165 Principles of Human Sexuality 1
or GLST G100 Global Citizenship
or GLST G110 Conflict Resolution
or CMST G225 Negotiation and Mediation
List A
Select three courses from at least two of the following areas:9-10
Area 1: History or Government
HIST G120Asian Civilizations3
HIST G121History of American Women3
HIST G150History of Latin America3
Area 2: Arts and Humanities
HIST G120Asian Civilizations3
HIST G121History of American Women3
HIST G150History of Latin America3
ART G103Survey of Asian Art3
ART G127Art of the Ancient Americas3
Area 3: Social Science
SOC G100Introduction To Sociology3
SOC G111Social Justice and U.S. Ethnic Communities3
SOC G133Introduction to Race and Ethnicity3
SOC G134Introduction to Chicana/o Studies3
PSYC G165Principles of Human Sexuality 13
HIST G120Asian Civilizations3
HIST G121History of American Women3
HIST G150History of Latin America3
GLST G100Global Citizenship3
GLST G110Conflict Resolution3
GLST G230Global Leadership: Concepts and Skills3
CMST G225Negotiation and Mediation3
CMST G265Gender Communication3
Area 4: Quantitative Reasoning and Research Methods
MATH G160Introduction To Statistics3-4
or PSYC G140 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
or ECON G160 Statistics for Business and Economics
or PSYC G280 Research Methods in Psychology
or SOC G200 Introduction to Research Methods
Area 5: Major Preparation
CMST G225Negotiation and Mediation3
GLST G100Global Citizenship3
GLST G110Conflict Resolution3
PSYC G165Principles of Human Sexuality 13
SOC G110Introduction To Marriage And The Family3
SOC G115Introduction to LGBTQ Studies3
SOC G134Introduction to Chicana/o Studies3
Major Total18-19
GE Pattern (CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC)37-39
Total units that may be double-counted3-18
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 transferable units)5-23
Total Units60

Recommended Program Sequence

These sequences are general course maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, completion of short-term certificates, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. However, this may not be an appropriate path for all students.  The two-year sequence is based on English and Math placement and meeting other course prerequisites. Students are advised to meet with a GWC Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Year 1:

Course Title Units
Semester 1
SOC G111Social Justice and U.S. Ethnic Communities3
or SOC G133 Introduction to Race and Ethnicity
ENGL G100Freshman Composition ^4
Area C1: Arts course3
Area A1: Oral Communication course3
Area E: Lifelong Learning & Self-Development course3
Units16
Course Title Units
Semester 2
SOC G115Introduction to LGBTQ Studies3
or SOC G140 Introduction to Gender
or ANTH G200 Gender, Culture, and Society
PHIL G125Critical Reasoning and Writing (or Area A3: Critical Thinking course)3-4
PSYC G140Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (recommended)3-4
or MATH G160 Introduction To Statistics
or ECON G160 Statistics for Business and Economics
HIST G170History Of The United States To 18763
or HIST G175 History of the United States Since 1876
SOC G100Introduction To Sociology3
Units15-17

Year 2:

Course Title Units
Semester 3
SOC G200Introduction to Research Methods3
PSCI G180American Government (Area D: Social & Behavioral Science course)3
or PSCI G181 American Government: The Politics of Race and Ethnicity
Social Justice Studies elective course from 1 of the 4 areas or Area D: Social Science course3
Area C: Arts & Humanities course3
Area B1: Physical Science course (with lab)4
Units16
Course Title Units
Semester 4
ANTH G185Physical Anthropology (or Area B2: Life Science course (without lab))3
Social Justice Elective course (any Core course not already taken)3
Social Justice Elective course (any course from Area 1 or Area 2 in List A)3
Area F: Ethnic Studies course 3
CSU Transferable elective coursework to reach a minimum of 60 units0-1
Units12-13
Total minimum units required60
^

Program sequence may not be recommended for students who self-place into ENGL G100S. Students should see a Counselor for appropriate advisement.