Social and Behavioral Sciences
A.A. Degree Sociology · Merritt College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Program Description
The Associate in Arts (AA) Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences provides students with a broad perspective on human behavior. It is designed to stimulate appreciation for, and understanding of, values, ideas, and artifacts of culture and society. Critical thinking skills and self-understanding through these courses provide a framework for lifelong study and meaningful social change. Successful completion of the curriculum in Social and Behavioral Sciences offers students a breadth of knowledge that could be focused into single discipline degrees as well as applied to an interdisciplinary degree.
This program prepares students with specific or interdisciplinary focus in Social and Behavioral Sciences in order to pursue similar majors at four-year institutions or for those who are required to complete a degree for a job promotion. Please consult with a counselor for specific information regarding your intended major at the specific colleges/universities of your choice.
To qualify for the Associate in Arts, students must satisfactorily complete the major requirements specified below and the local AA/AS general education requirements. The completion time for this degree program is generally 4 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and the number of units completed per semester.
This AA degree program requires:
- Completion of at least 60 degree-applicable semester units including the following:
- A minimum of 18 semester units from the program (major) requirements
- A minimum of 21 units of local AA/AS General Education requirements
- A minimum of 12 of the 60 units must be completed at Merritt College
- Courses taken outside the Peralta Community College District will be reviewed and evaluated to determine if they are degree-applicable
- If the General Education and the major units do not total 60, complete degree-applicable elective course(s) to reach the required 60 units
- A minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major
- A minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for General Education Area 1A: English Composition and Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
- A minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in General Education coursework and in all coursework for the degree
As this degree alone may not be complete preparation for transfer, students wishing to transfer to a 4-year institution should meet with a counselor to develop a plan that addresses all transfer requirements.
Career Opportunities
This degree serves as a starting foundation for students preparing for careers in health and human services, education, public relations, human resources, and more; intended for those who are considering transfer but have not decided on a major; those who are required to complete a degree for job promotion; or for individuals who may wish to further their education and are considering a major that is interdisciplinary in focus.
Learning Outcome(s)
- Implement core concepts, theories, skills, and perspectives from various disciplines within Social Sciences for personal and professional growth.
- Critically evaluate the diversity of human behavior and experience in order to better understand cultures and society.
- Critically analyze community and/or societal issues from varying perspectives to advance social, economic and/or environmental justice.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 18 | |
| ADJUS 21 | Introduction to Administration of Justice | 3 |
| ADJUS 22 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3 |
| ADJUS 25 | Community Relations | 3 |
| ADJUS 63 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| AFRAM 4 | The Black Panther Party: Strategies on Organizing the People | 3 |
| AFRAM 11 | Perceptions of the African American Male in America | 3 |
| AFRAM 14A | Social Psychology of African American Male/Female Relationships | 3 |
| AFRAM 14B | Social Psychology of African-American Male/Female Relationships | 3 |
| AFRAM 16 | The Prison Industrial Complex: African American Incarceration | 3 |
| AFRAM 18 | African Heritage of Latin America | 3 |
| AFRAM 19 | Racism in the United States | 3 |
| AFRAM 23 | Perceptions of African American Women | 3 |
| AFRAM 25 | Classical African Civilizations | 3 |
| AFRAM 30 | African American History: Africa to 1865 | 3 |
| AFRAM 31 | African American History: 1865-1945 | 3 |
| AFRAM 33 | The Roots of African-American Culture | 3 |
| AFRAM 38 | Environmental Racism and Justice | 3 |
| AFRAM 045 | Religion and the African-American Church in America | 3 |
| ANTHR 3 | Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHR 5 | American Indian History and Culture | 3 |
| ANTHR 7 | Magic, Religion and Witchcraft | 3 |
| ANTHR 16 | Sex and Society | 3 |
| ASAME 30 | Asians and Asian Americans Through Films | 3 |
| BUS 52 | Psychology and Human Relations | 3 |
| CHDEV 051 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| CHDEV 53 | The Child, the Family and the Community | 3 |
| CHDEV 80 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| COMM 6 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 10 | Gender and Communication | 3 |
| COMM 19 | Survey of Mass Media | 3 |
| COMM C1004 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COSER 10 | Community Resources and Social Policy | 3 |
| COSER 22 | Social Psychology of Substance/Drug Abuse | 3 |
| COSER 29 | Working with Diverse Populations | 3 |
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON C2002 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ENVMT 002 | Introduction to Sustainable Environmental Systems | 4 |
| HIST C1001 | United States History to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST C1002 | United States History since 1865 | 3 |
| HLTED 1 | Exploring Health Issues | 3 |
| M/LAT 6 | Racism in the United States | 3 |
| M/LAT 12 | United States Relations with Mexico and Latin America | 3 |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 6 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 10 | Psychology and Life: Basic Principles | 3 |
| PSYCH 12 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PSYCH 21 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
| PSYCH 24 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 28 | Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 001 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 2 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 5 | Minority Groups | 3 |
| SOC 13 | Sociology of the Family | 3 |