Academic Catalogs

Studio Arts, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer

Banner Code: 2_AAT_SA

Control Number: 31340

Financial Aid Eligible


The Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer in Studio Arts focuses on visual literacy and provides students with the opportunity to develop skills that are needed to be successful in the visual arts. Students build both their confidence and their portfolios while participating in rigorous problem solving and conceptual assignments. The major introduces students to the foundations, history, and technical knowledge of the visual arts. Students acquire the skills to build a diverse body of work through participating in a contemporary program that promotes critical thinking, creative problem solving, and aesthetic understanding. Students will be prepared for a baccalaureate degree (BA or BFA) in Studio Art. 

Program Level Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Demonstrate the skills to undertake a conceptual analysis of art.
  2. Apply the concepts and methods of composition.
  3. Recognize significant examples of visual art.
  4. Design and plan finished works of art.
  5. Create finished works of art based on initial designs.

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 — Core
ART G106Survey of Art from Renaissance to Contemporary3
ART G107Color and Design: 2D3
ART G109Color and Design: 3D3
ART G116Drawing 13
List A
Select one of the following:3
ART G103Survey of Asian Art3
ART G104Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art3
ART G105Survey of Art from Prehistory through the Middle Ages3
ART G127Art of the Ancient Americas3
ART G128Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America3
List B
Select three of the following:9
ART G108Color Theory3
ART G115Typography3
ART G117Drawing 23
or ART G118 Life Drawing 1
ART G121Ceramics 13
ART G122Ceramics 23
ART G130Painting 13
ART G131Painting 23
ART G142Sculpture 13
ART G150Printmaking 13
PHOT G120Darkroom Photography 13
PHOT G190Digital Photography 13
Major Total24
GE Pattern (CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC)37-39
Total units that may be double counted6
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 transferable units)3-5
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
ART G116Drawing 13
ART G106Survey of Art from Renaissance to Contemporary3
ENGL G100Freshman Composition ^4
Area A1: Oral Communication course 3
Area E: Lifelong Learning & Self-Development course3
Units16
Course Title Units
Semester 2
ART G107Color and Design: 2D3
HIST G170History Of The United States To 1876 (Area C2: Humanities course)3
or HIST G175 History of the United States Since 1876
Area F: Ethnic Studies course3
Select one of the following:3
ART G103Survey of Asian Art3
ART G104Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art3
ART G105Survey of Art from Prehistory through the Middle Ages3
ART G127Art of the Ancient Americas3
ART G128Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America3
Select one of the following:3
MATH G100Liberal Arts Mathematics (UC or CSU transferable)3
ECON G105Consumer and Financial Math (CSU transferable only)3
Units15

Year 2:

Course Title Units
Semester 3
ART G109Color and Design: 3D3
Area B1: Physical Science course (with or without lab) *3-4
Area A3: Critical Thinking course3-4
CSU Transferable elective coursework for a total of 3 units3
Select one of the following:3
ART G108Color Theory3
ART G115Typography3
ART G117Drawing 23
or ART G118 Life Drawing 1
ART G121Ceramics 13
ART G122Ceramics 23
ART G130Painting 13
ART G131Painting 23
ART G142Sculpture 13
ART G150Printmaking 13
PHOT G120Darkroom Photography 13
PHOT G190Digital Photography 13
Units15-17
Course Title Units
Semester 4
PSCI G180American Government (Area D: Social & Behavioral Science course)3
or PSCI G181 American Government: The Politics of Race and Ethnicity
Area D: Social & Behavioral Science course3
Area B2: Life Science course (with or without lab) *3-4
Select two of the following NOT already taken:6
ART G108Color Theory3
ART G115Typography3
ART G117Drawing 23
or ART G118 Life Drawing 1
ART G121Ceramics 13
ART G122Ceramics 23
ART G130Painting 13
ART G131Painting 23
ART G142Sculpture 13
ART G150Printmaking 13
PHOT G120Darkroom Photography 13
PHOT G190Digital Photography 13
Units15-16
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.

*

Either B1 or B2 must include a lab.