Majors in the Social Sciences
Degrees and Certificates
- A.A.-T Degree in Anthropology
- A.A.-T Degree in History
- A.A. Degree in Liberal Arts: Social Science Emphasis- Behavioral and Organizational Social Sciences
- A.A. Degree in Liberal Arts: Social Science Emphasis- Cultural and Historical Sciences
- A.A.-T Degree in Philosophy
- A.A.-T Degree in Political Science
- A.A.-T Degree in Psychology
- A.A.-T Degree in Social Justice Studies
A.A.-T Degree: Anthropology
The Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a baccalaureate degree in Anthropology.
The Gavilan College Anthropology Program encompasses three subfields: cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, and archaeology. Together, these subfields offer a broad range of perspectives on the experiences and politics of being human. The courses offered teach students to develop a comprehensive understanding of humans in their diversity and complexity. These courses may be taken to satisfy the General Education requirements or to meet the requirements for an Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer (ADT) degree. The ADT in Anthropology degree prepares students to transfer into the CSU system to pursue a baccalaureate degree in Anthropology or a related major.
Upon completion of the AA-T degree in Anthropology, students will be able to:
- Critically examine and analyze human nature and behavior.
- Critically examine and analyze anthropological ideas and data from a social justice perspective.
- Describe cultural change from historical, political economic, symbolic, and discursive perspectives.
- Describe biological and cultural factors responsible for human variation.
- Distinguish variations in culture using a cultural relativist perspective.
- Evaluate social scientific theories, methods, and techniques used to investigate the human past and present.
- Conduct ethnographic research within a local community.
- Write research papers using ethnographic, descriptive and analytic techniques.
Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements:
(1) Completion of 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
(A) The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education - Breadth Requirements.
(B) A minimum of 18 semester units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Title 5 section 55063(a) also require that students must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis, or a "P" if the course was taken on a 'pass-no-pass' basis.
A.A.-T Degree: History
Historical knowledge provides a context for understanding the present and preparing for the future. The Associate in Arts in History for Transfer Degree offers a broad range of courses designed to enable students to comprehend how the community, nation, and the contemporary world have been shaped by historical events and forces. By studying history of many societies and cultures we gain perspective on our own. These courses may be taken to satisfy General Education requirements or to meet the requirements for an Associate in Arts in History for Transfer (ADT) degree. The ADT in History degree prepares students to seamlessly transfer into the CSU system to pursue a baccalaureate degree in History or a related major.
Upon Successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Practice and analyze democratic civic engagement.
- Demonstrate and evaluate relationships between local, national, and international issues, movements, and ideas.
- Demonstrate cultural competence, language skills, cross-cultural adaptation skills, and critically reflect upon their own social, historical, cultural, economic, and political contexts.
- Evaluate the impact of globalization upon inequality, privilege, perspective, social conditions and institutions, power structures, difference, and social change.
- Describe contemporary social and political values, and assess their historical and global linkage.
- Demonstrate a range of skills including: research, documentation, analysis, evaluation, communication, contextualization, teamwork, observation, and cultural competency by relating social science concepts and theories to issues of importance to local communities.
- Demonstrate college level reading, writing and critical thinking in the formulation of research assignment/s, and demonstrate effective skills in finding, evaluating, interpreting, and using both primary and secondary sources.
- Identify, develop, use, and assess tools and methods for community change and social justice.
Associate Degree Transfer Requirements:
(1) Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
(A) The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education – Breadth Requirements.
(B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
ADTs also require that students must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.
A.A. Degree: Liberal Arts: Social Science Emphasis- Behavioral and Organizational Social Sciences
In this emphasis students will analyze theories and concepts related to social and psychological development, and political organizations. Students will study the scientific method and use research methodologies to analyze, compare and contrast, and synthesize psychological, political and social structures.A.A. Degree: Liberal Arts: Social Science Emphasis- Cultural and Historical Sciences
In this emphasis students will analyze theories and concepts related to the development of cultural and historical development of societies. Students will study social science theory and practice to analyze, compare and contrast and synthesize aspects of societies and events from different regions and eras.A.A.-T Degree: Philosophy
The Associate in Arts in Philosophy for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a baccalaureate degree in Philosophy. Philosophy is the study of basic and fundamental issues, such as those concerning reality, knowledge, morality, and truth. Philosophers ask questions like: Do we have free will? What do I know? What is the nature of truth? How do I know I’m not a brain in a vat? Is there a universal morality? Does God exist? What distinguishes philosophy from other disciplines is its methodology. A philosopher’s methodology is systematic and relies heavily upon rational argument. The process demands rigorous, analytic, and critical thinking. The benefits of which include resolving confusion, unmasking assumptions, highlighting distinctions, and offering clarification. Courses in the Gavilan Philosophy Program are designed to transfer to four-year institutions and to prepare philosophy majors for upper-division coursework. Specifically, this degree is intended for students transferring to a California State University program. A degree in philosophy can lead to a career teaching and doing academic research in philosophy, but it also equips one with the writing, thinking, and problem-solving skills important for many careers, including the fields of law, business, politics, medicine and others.A.A.-T Degree: Political Science
The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a baccalaureate degree in Political Science. Political science is the study of governments, power relations, public policies, political theories, political processes, and political behavior. The Political science major at Gavilan College is designed to develop knowledge, analytical skills, and critical insight into the nature of politics and political problems. Political science subfields include American government, political theory, comparative politics, and international politics. The major introduces each of these subfields to prospective students. The aim of the AA-T degree in Political Science is to prepare students for active participation in political life, whether as informed citizens or residents, as well as to prepare students for transfer into the CSU system as a political science major specializing in several possible subfields such as American politics, campaign management studies, comparative politics, international relations and terrorism studies. The aim of the AA-T degree in Political Science is to prepare students for active participation in political life, whether as informed citizens or residents, as well as to prepare students for transfer into the CSU system as a political science major specializing in several possible subfields such as American politics, campaign management studies, comparative politics, international relations and terrorism studies.A.A.-T Degree: Psychology
The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a baccalaureate degree in Psychology. Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer. The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer at Gavilan College provides students with introductory exposure to psychology as the scientific study of thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the contexts in which they occur, as well as a field committed to taking its scientific findings and applying them to the prevention and resolution of personal and interpersonal problems. Students who complete this 18-unit degree program will be prepared to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Psychology at the California State University (CSU). Additionally, the psychology major will provide a foundation for further study and careers in other social sciences, education, business, law, law enforcement, and the health field. All courses in this major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. Students who complete the Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer degree program will be prepared to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Psychology at the California State University (CSU). Additionally, the psychology major will provide a foundation for further study and careers in other social sciencesA.A.-T Degree: Social Justice Studies
Social Justice Studies explores the important terrain between ideals of justice and everyday local, national, and global realities of injustice. Emphasizing interdisciplinary academic understanding as well as applied experience in community, the major inspires critical thinkers to draw upon rich legacies of scholars and activists who animate and sustain democratic movements for change. Students who wish to be informed citizens committed to strategic, accountable, and reflective engagement in business, government, non-profit, science, humanities, and artistic careers will find Social Justice Studies coursework helpful and inspiring. The Associate in Arts in Social Justice Studies for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a baccalaureate degree in Social Justice Studies.
(1) Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
(A) The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education – Breadth Requirements.
(B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
ADTs also require that students must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is not an acceptable grade for courses in the major.