Social Justice Studies: American Indian Studies and American Studies
Associate in Arts for Transfer American Indian Studies · Palomar College · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Associate in Arts in Social Justice Studies-American Indian Studies for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to pursue a baccalaureate degree in American Indian Studies. This degree will provide students with an opportunity to examine the historical and contemporary experiences of American Indian tribes and their peoples residing in the United States. Students experience an interdisciplinary approach that combines culture, sociology, politics, and the arts. Courses engage in a rigorous study of race and racism, class, gender, sexuality, religious conquest. Students will be able to compare and contrast American Indian economic, political and religious institutions used to adapt to specific geographical regions throughout the United States before and after non-Indian contact and recognize the diverse physical and cultural adaptive strategies created by tribes to retain their political and cultural sovereignty.
The following Associate Degree for Transfer completion requirements must be met:
- Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
- The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
- A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
- Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
ADTs also require that students earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass. basis.
Learning Outcome(s):
- Demonstrate familiarity, and a working knowledge of the theories, cultural and identity differences, tribal concepts, histories, and current trends within the interdisciplinary fields of American Indian Studies
- Articulate general historic and contemporary socio-political issues within the interdisciplinary fields of American Indian Studies.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Program Requirements | 9 | |
| AIS 100 | Introduction to American Indian Studies | 3 |
| SOC 170 | Introduction to Justice Studies | 3 |
| orSOC 200 | Race, Class, and Ethnic Groups in America | 3 |
| SOC 175 | Introduction to LBGTQI Studies | 3 |
| List A: Choose three courses (9.0 units) from two different areas: | 9 | |
| Area 1: History or Government | 6 | |
| AIS 101 | History of American Indian Nations from Creation through the Present | 3 |
| AIS 102 | The American Indian and the U.S. Political System | 3 |
| Area 2: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| AIS 105 | History of Native American Arts | 3 |
| Area 3: Social Sciences | 6 | |
| AIS 130 | Prehistoric Cultures of North America | 3 |
| AIS 165 | Native Women in the Americas | 3 |
| Area 4: Major Preparation for a CSU | 3 | |
| AIS 150 | American Indian Philosophy and Religion | 3 |
| Total | 18 | |