Social Justice, Advocacy, and Community A.A. Degree
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Program Description
The Associate of Arts Degree in Social Justice, Advocacy and Community is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex social, political and economic issues that contribute to social inequalities and injustices. Courses in this program will cover a range of topics, including the history and theories of social justice, the role of advocacy and activism in effecting change, and the principles and practices of community organizing. Graduates of this program will be well-equipped to pursue further education in related fields, or to enter the workforce in a variety of roles, such as community organizer, social worker, activist, policy analyst, or advocate. They will be prepared to make a positive impact in their communities and to contribute to the ongoing struggle for social justice and equity.
The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
Division
Department
Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)
Program Learning Outcomes
Analyze the historical and contemporary social, political, and economic factors that contribute to social inequalities and injustices and articulate strategies for change.
Develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to address issues of social justice and advocacy.
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices of community organizing, including the ability to work collaboratively with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, and to facilitate constructive dialogue and collective action around social justice issues.
Program Map
Term 1
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000 or
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: READ 100
This course is an in-depth study in career and life planning designed for students seeking direction in setting life, academic and career goals. A holistic perspective will be used to highlight the person-environment dynamics crucial to well-rounded preparation for a fulfilling career and life-span developmental achievements. Topics will include comprehensive career research, extensive reading, major choices, interviewing skills, cover letter and resume writing. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging work.
Course Details:
- Prerequisite/Corequisite: ENGL C1000 or
- Prerequisite/Corequisite: ENGL C1000H or
This course introduces the environmental, biological, and socio-cultural determinants of public health. Emphasizes workplace, personal health, community and school healthcare policy, management, environmental and the health disparities among minorities. Focus on environmental health, chronic disease, global and public Health. Examines the qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for studying epidemiology. Analyze the multiple chronic diseases, addictions, psychiatric disorders, and the challenges local and global health in protecting our planet.
Course Details:
This course focuses on the exploration of major health issues and behaviors in the various dimensions of health. Emphasis is placed on individual responsibility for personal health and the promotion of informed, positive health behaviors. Topics include physical fitness components, nutrition, weight control, mental health, stress management, violence, substance abuse, disease prevention, aging, basic healthcare, and environmental hazards and safety.
Course Details:
This course analyzes the biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of women’s health, with special emphasis on women cross-culturally. Topics focus on current trends in the prevention of chronic diseases and illnesses, the promotion of positive body image, and self-empowerment of women. Students will also explore the application of the lifespan of lifestyle changes to develop strategies to become self-advocates in promoting one’s own well-being.
Course Details:
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research.
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. This is an honors course.
This course is designed for students preparing to take Calculus. It deepens students’ understanding of algebra and trigonometry by building on topics from College Algebra and Plane Trigonometry, both of which are foundational for Calculus students. Topics include polynomials, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their graphs, systems of linear and nonlinear equations and inequalities, partial fraction decomposition, parametric and polar equations, and an introduction to limits. (MATH 102 and MATH 151 combined: maximum UC transferable credit, one course.)
This class focuses on statistics as applied to the social sciences and includes such topics as measurement, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, measures of variability, the normal distribution curve, correlation, sampling, statistical inference, hypothesis testing and an introduction to analysis of variance. (Formerly PSYCH 105)
This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines.
This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. This is an honors course.
Term 2
In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches.
Course Details:
In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience, and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. This is an honors course.
Course Details:
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000 or
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
This course explores the history, effects, and role of the mass media in the U.S. The major forms of mass communication are studied (television, radio, film, newspapers and magazines). There is also a focus on critical analysis of media messages, effects of media on individual and society, and theories of communication. Students move beyond being "consumers" of media to "analysts" of media. (Formerly COMMST 135)
Course Details:
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
This course explores the impact of identity on film as an art form and cultural artifact by confronting ideologies of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation as they are reflected in cinematic representation. American film is used as the primary lens through which to view how social, political, and cultural values have been formulated over the last century. Students analyze major films, figures, character types, and narrative strategies to evaluate the relationship between film and identity. (This course is also offered as FTVM 103)
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
This course is an introduction to public policy. It introduces the basic concepts and processes underlying policy analysis, including application of these concepts to economic and budgetary policy, health care policy, welfare and social security policy, education policy, and environmental and energy policy, and social and cultural policies. It covers the actors involved in the policy process such as institutions, congress, the executive branch, and groups. It also addresses the theories involved in the policy process as well as the environment in which policy is made in the United States. (Formerly POLIT 150)
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000 or
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
Course Details:
Course Details:
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000H
This course is a sociological and interdisciplinary examination of racial and ethnic groups in American society. Topics include historical and contemporary events and practices that have institutionalized racism including the social struggles of the four racialized core groups, with a focus on introductory concepts of ethnic studies, intersectionality, and anti-racist approaches toward social justice and equity. (This course is also offered as SOC 141)
Course Details:
This course is a sociological and interdisciplinary examination of racial and ethnic groups in American society. Topics include historical and contemporary events and practices that have institutionalized racism including the social struggles of the four racialized core groups, with a focus on introductory concepts of ethnic studies, intersectionality, and anti-racist approaches toward social justice and equity. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work. (This course is also offered as SOC 141H)
Course Details:
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000H
In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 College Reading and Writing (C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course.
In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 College Reading and Writing (C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course. This is an honors course.
This course explores the relationship between critical reading and literacy to critical thinking. Instruction in methods of critical reasoning, inquiry-driven research, argumentative writing, and the strategies necessary for college reading application in interpretation, analysis, criticism, and advocacy of ideas encountered in academic non-fiction texts across disciplines. Emphasis on texts which explore contemporary issues, including cultural diversity, equity, and anti-racism.
Term 3
This course is a service learning course designed for the development of leadership skills through participation in community affairs on the federal, state, and local levels. The topics covered include street-level politics, coalition-building, direct and indirect lobbying, mass media communications, multicultural relations, legal requirements, and other aspects of civic involvement. (Formerly POLIT 139)
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
This course is a service learning course designed for the development of leadership skills through participation in community affairs on the federal, state, and local levels. The topics covered include street-level politics, coalition-building, direct and indirect lobbying, mass media communications, multicultural relations, legal requirements, and other aspects of civic involvement. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work. (Formerly POLIT 139H)
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: READ 100
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
This course is an examination of contemporary social issues in the United States including causes, consequences, interventions, and solutions, with an emphasis on social institutions and other topics such as crime, inequalities, substance abuse, and the role of power and ideology in the construction and definitions of social problems. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program, but is open to all students who desire more challenging work.
Course Details:
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000 or
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000H
Course Details:
The course is designed to help improve cardiovascular endurance and overall fitness through walking. Beginning level training principles and proper technique will be taught to promote this lifelong activity.
Course Details:
Course Details:
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000 or
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
This course provides an introduction to the field of Native American Studies. It emphasizes the agency, struggles, and social justice efforts of Native Americans in the United States. Topics covered include Native cultural and intellectual traditions; racialization and intersectionality; antiracism and decolonization; and the relationship between Western scientific practices and Native American experiences. This course is also offered as ETHS 108.
Course Details:
This course provides an introduction to the field of Native American Studies. It emphasizes the agency, struggles, and social justice efforts of Native Americans in the United States. Topics covered include Native cultural and intellectual traditions; racialization and intersectionality; antiracism and decolonization; and the relationship between Western scientific practices and Native American experiences. (This course is also offered as ANTHRO 108)
Course Details:
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
This course is a history of Native Americans in the region of the current day United States from the time preceding European colonialism to the present. The course content will be presented from a Native American perspective, emphasizing colonialism, removal, assimilation, termination, and self determination. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program, but is open to all students who desire more challenging work. (This course is also offered as ETHS 107H).
Course Details:
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000H
This course is a history of Native Americans in the region of the current day United States from the time preceding European colonialism to the present. The course content will be presented from a Native American perspective, emphasizing colonialism, removal, assimilation, termination, and self determination. (This course is also offered at HIST 107)
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
This course is a history of Native Americans in the region of the current day United States from the time preceding European colonialism to the present. The course content will be presented from a Native American perspective, emphasizing colonialism, removal, assimilation, termination, and self determination. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program, but is open to all students who desire more challenging work. (This course is also offered as HIST 107H)
Course Details:
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000H
This course will emphasize the various social, political, and economic forces that have shaped the African American experience from Reconstruction to the current time period. Topics include the post Reconstruction South, the Great Migration, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, the conservative backlash, and the trials and triumphs of the 21st century.
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
This course provides a survey of United States history from the Asian American perspective, with an emphasis on the 1840s to the 21st century. The course content will be presented from an Asian American perspective, emphasizing the various waves of Asian migration, labor exploitation, anti-immigrant movements, racist governmental policies, and the Model Minority status.
Course Details:
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
- Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
Introductory chemistry involves the study of the material makeup of our world and its relationship to life, the natural environment, and our lived experiences. General scientific principles including scientific observation and measurement are also introduced. This course is designed to prepare students for careers in nursing, medicine, engineering and other science and allied health professions.
This course is an introduction to the bonding, naming, structure, and chemical and biomolecular properties for different classes of organic compounds and biomolecules, with a focus on their cellular, medicinal and industrial importance.
This course provides a foundation for the concepts of general, organic, and biochemistry for students who wish to pursue allied health fields such as nursing. Some of the areas studied include the physical and chemical properties of common elements and compounds, the SI system, measurements and conversions, atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical equations and calculations, gases, solutions, electrolytes as well as an introduction to the bonding, naming, structure, and chemical and biological properties for different classes of organic compounds and biomolecules, with a focus on their cellular, medicinal and commercial importance.
General Chemistry I is first-semester college-level chemistry with an emphasis on the mole concept, thermochemistry, atomic and molecular structure, the relationships of intramolecular and intermolecular forces to chemical and physical properties, the periodic table, organic chemistry, and solids, liquids and gases.
This course examines the properties, synthesis, and reactions of organic compounds, those that contain carbon, which includes many important modern materials, such as plastic and pharmaceuticals. It also provides the foundational background to later learn about the chemistry of biological systems.
The second semester of organic chemistry continues the study of carbon compounds including aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic series, theoretical concepts, instrumentation, mechanisms, synthesis and functional groups. Laboratory includes preparation and study of properties, and extensive identification of organic compounds.
This course is an introduction to environmental issues from a scientific perspective. It focuses on physical, chemical, and biological processes within the Earth system, the interaction between humans and these processes, environmental racism and environmental justice, and the role of science in finding sustainable, culturally appropriate solutions.
You may have noticed that Earth’s atmosphere, life forms, water resources, and landforms vary considerably from one place to another. This class helps you to understand how and why these variations occur, how the environment impacts us humans, and how we humans impact the environment. People from different backgrounds experience environmental impacts differently, so environmental justice is interwoven throughout this course. GEOG 111/GEOG 111H is strongly recommended for students who desire to transfer to CSU/UC. It is recommended that students complete GEOG 111/GEOG 111H within three years of completing GEOG 110.
In this laboratory companion for the GEOG 110 physical geography lecture course, you will use hands-on, in-class and field-based experiences to better understand and appreciate how and why Earth’s atmosphere, life forms, water resources, and landforms vary considerably from one place to another. Because we humans are part of the physical environment, it is important to understand how people from different backgrounds impact the environment and experience environmental impacts differently. This course is recommended for students concurrently enrolled in GEOG 110 or who have successfully completed the course within the last three years. Students should be prepared to participate in one or more off-campus field exercises.
In this laboratory companion for the GEOG 110 physical geography lecture course, you will use hands-on, in-class and field-based experiences to better understand and appreciate how and why Earth’s atmosphere, life forms, water resources, and landforms vary considerably from one place to another. Because we humans are part of the physical environment, it is important to understand how people from different backgrounds impact the environment and experience environmental impacts differently. This course is recommended for students concurrently enrolled in GEOG 110 or who have successfully completed the course within the last three years. Students should be prepared to participate in one or more off-campus field exercises. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging coursework.
Do you monitor the daily weather? Are you intrigued by severe weather events like tornadoes, tropical cyclones, blizzards, and flooding rain? This course covers Earth's atmospheric phenomena, with special reference to causes and regional distribution of weather and climate, both past and present. Topics include atmospheric structure and composition, solar radiation and energy balances, temperature, seasonal changes, atmospheric moisture, clouds and fog, precipitation, air pressure, winds, air masses and fronts, cyclones, weather forecasting, climate, and climate change. Emphasis will be given to current environmental topics, including natural and anthropogenic global climate change, air pollution, and environmental justice.
Earth is an amazing place, and for millennia cultures and civilizations have attempted to explain the various topics that relate to our understanding of our blue planet. From the various minerals, rocks, and resources found on it that power our cellphones and televisions to the dramatic features, such as mountains, volcanoes, canyons etc. that shape our landscape. From the consequential natural disasters such as earthquakes that we in California and people around the world deal with on an annual basis to the disproportionate effects of global climate change. In this course we build a fundamental understanding of these topics (and many more) by emphasizing the overarching Theory of Plate Tectonics, the processes that created the continents and the ocean basins, and the internal and external processes that change the landscape and impact the planet in a variety of ways we seek to put ourselves in the context of our planet.
In this laboratory component of the GEOL 140 Earth Science lecture course, you will use hands-on, field-based, and in-class experiences to better understand and appreciate the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and solar system. This course focuses on the physical and chemical systems of the Earth such as the tectonic cycle, rock cycle, hydrologic cycle, weather, and climate. This course is recommended for students concurrently enrolled in GEOL 140 or who have successfully completed the course within the last three years. Students should be prepared to participate in one or more off-campus field exercises.
This introductory, algebra-based, physics course is an exploration of the physical principles ranging from classical mechanics to modern physics, which shape our lives. Students will be better equipped to make connections between the concepts of physics and their everyday world. This class includes a hands-on laboratory to bridge the connection between theory and everyday life. This course also explores the connections between physics and other fields of science, technology, and society.
This is the first course in a two-semester physics sequence designed primarily for students in biology, pharmacology, pre-medicine, physical therapy, and allied health programs. Topics include mechanics, waves, fluids, and thermodynamics. The needed concepts of calculus will be developed and used where appropriate.
This is the second course in a two-semester physics sequence designed primarily for students in biology, pharmacology, pre-medicine, physical therapy, and allied health programs. Topics include electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. The needed concepts of calculus will be developed and used where appropriate.
Term 4
This course introduces concepts and methods used to study the human species in a scientific, evolutionary framework. Topics covered include evolutionary theory, genetics, the fossil record of human ancestors, comparative primatology, human variation, and interactions between biology and culture.
This course introduces concepts and methods used to study the human species in a scientific, evolutionary framework. Topics covered include evolutionary theory, genetics, the fossil record of human ancestors, comparative primatology, human variation, and interactions between biology and culture. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.
This is an introductory course that explores biological concepts in our everyday lives as they are closely connected to racial, sociocultural, health, and environmental issues.
This course is an introduction to cellular and molecular aspects of biology emphasizing principles of scientific process, evolution by natural selection, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function, classic and modern genetics, and concepts that integrate cellular with organismal activities. Experimental design concepts and application are emphasized in the laboratory. This is the first semester of three introductory biology courses for the pre-professional, biology major, environmental science or others interested in an in-depth study of biology.
This course is an introduction to the diversity of organisms, their structure, function, and adaptations to the environment. The course requires participation in field trips and outdoor classroom (Living Lab Garden and Oak Garden) activities. This course is part of three introductory biology courses for the pre-professional, biology major, environmental science or others interested in an in-depth study of biology.
This course is an introduction to the principles of evolution and the ecological processes governing organisms and populations. The course requires participation in and completion of a field project and participation in weekend field trips and outdoor classroom (Living Lab Garden and Oak Garden) activities. This course is part of three introductory biology courses for the pre-professional, biology major, environmental science or others interested in an in-depth study of biology.
This course is a formal introduction to and exciting exploration of the fundamental principles and techniques of microbiology and immunology. Attention is given to the morphology, control, metabolism, and genetics of microorganisms. Emphasis is placed on the pathogenesis of and immunity to infectious diseases.
This course will introduce the scientific study of the biological bases of behavior and the role of the scientific method in neuroscience. Topics will include basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, nervous system structure and functions, hormonal and neurochemical mechanisms, brain-behavior relationships underlying movement, sensation, perception, learning, memory, consciousness, emotion, regulatory processes, and psychological disorders. Historical scientific contributions and current research principles for studying brain-behavior relationships and mental processes will be addressed in this course. Ethical standards for human and animal research will be discussed in the context of both invasive and non-invasive experimental research. (PSYCH 141)