History
Associate in Arts for Transfer School of Arts and Social Sciences · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
School of Arts and Social Sciences
The Associate in Arts in History for Transfer combines two critical and interrelated focuses: 1) students will acquire an increasingly sophisticated reservoir of historical data, such as, issues, eras, chronology, and thought systems without which historical analysis is not possible, and, 2) armed with this knowledge, students will develop historical thinking skills, and their articulation, that enable one to critically assess and respond to the past and present. Students will comprehend the forces that have shaped both the United States and other nations around the world within a larger global perspective. They will gain skills in historical research and analysis, historiography, critical thinking, factual knowledge of specific historical periods, and a chronological understanding of the past. As a discipline, history helps to nurture an informed public and is, therefore, of vital importance to a democratic society. Further, it complements the mission of the college by having students develop a respect for and awareness of all cultures and the dignity and worth of all individuals. Upon completion, students with an AA-T in History will be eligible to transfer with junior standing into an equivalent major within the California State University (CSU) system.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
A. Evaluate primary and secondary sources by composing an argument which uses them for support.
B. Analyze major political trends, attitudes, conflicts, events, etc. and their historical significance.
C. Assess the major social and cultural developments, their causes and effect and their historical significance.
For an Associate in Arts in History for Transfer (AA-T), students must complete the following:
60 semester CSU-transferable units.
the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern
a minimum of 18 semester in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district.
obtainment of a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
earn a grade of C ( or P) or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.
Note: Students are not required to complete any additional local graduation requirements for the AA-T (e.g., PE and Computer and Information Literacy courses).
Program Requirements:
Program Core: (18 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core: (6 units) | ||
| HIST-C1001 | United States History to 1877 | 3 |
| orHIST-C1001H | United States History to 1877 - Honors | 3 |
| HIST-C1002 | United States since 1865 | 3 |
| orHIST-C1002H | United States History since 1865 - Honors | 3 |
| List A: Select 2 courses (6 units) from the following: | ||
| HIST-04A | History of Civilization: Part I | 3 |
| orHIST-03A | History or Western Civilization, Part I | 3 |
| HIST-04B | History of Civilization Part II | 3 |
| orHIST-03B | History or Western Civilization, Part II | 3 |
| List B Area 1 Diversity: Select a minimum of 3 units from the following: | ||
| HIST-07 | History of Southeast Asia | 3 |
| HIST-09A | China: Introduction to East Asian Civilization | 3 |
| HIST-09B | Japan: Introduction to East Asian Civilization | 3 |
| HIST-10 | History of the Middle East | 3 |
| HIST-19 | Women in American History | 3 |
| HIST-22 | History of African Americans | 3 |
| HIST-23 | Chicana/O American History and Culture | 3 |
| ANTH-10 | Southeast Asian Culture: Hmong | 3 |
| ENGL-18 | African American Literature and Black Studies | 3 |
| HUM-01 | Studies in Humanities--Ancient through Renaissance | 3 |
| orHUM-01H | Honors Studies in Humanities--Ancient through Renaissance | 3 |
| HUM-02 | Studies in Humanities--Renaissance to Present | 3 |
| orHUM-02H | Honors Studies in Humanities—Renaissance to Present | 3 |
| HUM-15 | Comparative Cultures | 3 |
| List B Area 2: Elective Select a minimum of 3 units from the following: | ||
| Any course not already used in List A (3) | 3 | |
| HIST-05 | History of Europe from 1901 to the Present | 3 |
| HIST-29 | History of California | 3 |
| POLS-C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| POLS-02 | An Introduction to World Political Systems | 3 |
| POLS-03 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| POLS-04 | Introduction to Political Theory and Thought | 3 |
| Total Units toward the Major | 18 | |
Total Units that may be double counted: (-6-12 Units)
General Education (Cal-GETC) Units: (34 Units)
Elective (CSU Transferable) Units: (16-20 Units)
Total Degree Units: (60 Units)