Academic Catalogs

Sociology, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer

Banner code: 2_AAT_SOC
Control number: 30701
Financial aid: Eligible 

The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer degree focuses on human interaction at the macro/structural level and the micro/interactive level. Students will learn processes of creation and maintenance of social order, as well as social dynamics, with primary emphasis on cultural diversity. Application of sound theoretical principles and obtaining adequate empirical support are stressed. 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. Students will be prepared for a baccalaureate degree in Sociology.

Program Level Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Communicate effectively within each environment of various social contexts.
  2. Apply theoretical constructs to human interaction using critical thinking skills.
  3. Test theoretical constructs, providing support for theories or disproving them with methodological skills. 
  4. Examine the work of other social scientists in the understanding of human interaction in the creation and maintenance of social order.
  5. Describe processes and effects of social change.

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 G100Introduction To Sociology3
Choose two of the following:6-8
SOC G185Analysis of Social Problems3
SOC G200Introduction to Research Methods3-4
or PSYC G280 Research Methods in Psychology
MATH G160Introduction To Statistics3-4
or PSYC G140 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
or ECON G160 Statistics for Business and Economics
List A
Choose two of the following:6
SOC G110Introduction To Marriage And The Family3
SOC G140Introduction to Gender3
or ANTH G200 Gender, Culture, and Society
SOC G133Racial And Ethnic Relations In America3
PSYC G260Social Psychology3
SOC G134Introduction To Chicano Studies3
SOC G111Introduction to Social Justice3
SOC G115Introduction to LGBTQ Studies3
List B
Choose one of the following:3
Any course from above not already used
GEOG G185Human Geography3
PSYC G100Introduction To Psychology3
ANTH G100Introduction To Cultural Anthropology3
PSCI G100Introduction To Political Science3
PSCI G105Introduction to Global Studies3
ECON G110Economic Issues and Policy3
PHIL G100Introduction to Philosophy3
GEOG G100World Regional Geography3
PEAC G100Peace Studies Intro3
Major Total18-20
GE Pattern (CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC)37-39
Total units that may be double-counted6-15
Transferable electives (as needed to reach 60 units)7-20
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 G100Introduction To Sociology3
ENGL G100Freshman Composition ^4
Area A1: Oral Communication course3
Area E: Lifelong Learning & Self-Development course3
Area C1: Arts course3
Units16
Course Title Units
Semester 2
PSYC G140Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences4
or MATH G160 Introduction To Statistics
PHIL G125Critical Reasoning and Writing (or Area A3: Critical Thinking course)3-4
HIST G170History Of The United States To 1876 (Area C2: Humanities course)3
or HIST G175 History of the United States Since 1876
SOC G185Analysis of Social Problems3
Area F: Ethnic Studies course3
Units16-17

Year 2:

Course Title Units
Semester 3
Area B1: Physical Science course (with or without lab) *3-4
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
Area C: Arts & Humanities course3
Select one of the following NOT already taken:3
SOC G110Introduction To Marriage And The Family3
SOC G133Racial And Ethnic Relations In America3
Units15-16
Course Title Units
Semester 4
ANTH G185Physical Anthropology (or Area B2: Life Science course (without lab)) *3
Select one of the following NOT already taken:3
SOC G110Introduction To Marriage And The Family3
SOC G140Introduction to Gender3
or ANTH G200 Gender, Culture, and Society
SOC G133Racial And Ethnic Relations In America3
PSYC G260Social Psychology3
SOC G134Introduction To Chicano Studies3
SOC G111Introduction to Social Justice3
SOC G115Introduction to LGBTQ Studies3
Select one of the following:3
ANTH G100Introduction To Cultural Anthropology (recommended)3
GEOG G185Human Geography (recommended)3
PSYC G100Introduction To Psychology (recommended)3
SOC G115Introduction to LGBTQ Studies3
PSCI G100Introduction To Political Science3
PSCI G105Introduction to Global Studies3
ECON G110Economic Issues and Policy3
PHIL G100Introduction to Philosophy3
GEOG G100World Regional Geography3
PEAC G100Peace Studies Intro3
CSU Transferable elective coursework for a total of 2-3 units 2-3
Units11-12
Total minimum units required60