Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Associate in Arts Counseling · San Jose City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Description
The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Science degree emphasizes the perspectives, concepts, theories, methodologies and historical viewpoints in the study of how individuals, cultures, and societies behave and interact, demonstrate similarities and differences, and operate within societal systems and structures. This area of study is intended to engage students in critical thinking of how societies and social subgroups behave across individual, cultural, regional, or historical divides.
This degree may prepare students for a narrow or interdisciplinary focus in the Social and Behavioral Sciences to pursue similar majors at four-year institutions.
A grade of "C" or better is required for each course in the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is an acceptable grade for courses in the major or area of emphasis if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
Courses approved within the general education standards in the areas of Social and Behavioral Science may be used to fulfill major preparation requirements. Students should consult with a Counselor in planning for fulfillment of these degree requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Compare and contrast the differences and similarities among and between individuals, cultures, and societies.
- Distinguish foundational theories within social and behavioral sciences.
- Describe how the quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry are used within social and behavioral science research and critical analysis.
Requirements
Major requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 18 units from courses listed below: | 18 | |
| AJ 010 | Introduction to Administration of Justice | 3 |
| AJ 011 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| AJ 013 | Criminal Procedures | 3 |
| AJ 014 | Contemporary Police Issues | 3 |
| AJ 016 | Street Law | 3 |
| AJ 019 | Law Enforcement in Multicultural Communities | 3 |
| AJ 113 | Violent Crime in America | 3 |
| AJ 116 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| ADS 070 | Introduction to Chemical Dependency | 3 |
| ANTH 063 | Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| COMS 010 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMS 018 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 |
| COMS 035 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| CIS 041 | Introduction to Computer Information Systems | 3 |
| ECE 107 | Child, Family and Community | 3 |
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON C2002 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ENGL 033 | Women in Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 080 | Mexican-American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 081 | Introduction to African American Literature | 3 |
| ETH 018 | The African American Male Experience | 3 |
| ETH 019 | The African American Family | 3 |
| ETH 020 | African American Culture | 3 |
| ETH 022 | African American Cinema | 3 |
| ETH 026 | Vietnamese Women in the U.S. | 3 |
| ETH 027 | Introduction to Race & Ethnicity in American History | 3 |
| orETH 027H | Honors Introduction to Race & Ethnicity In American History | |
| ETH 028 | Introduction to Critical Race & Social Justice | 3 |
| ETH 029 | Women of Color in the United States | 3 |
| ETH 030 | Chicana/o Culture | 3 |
| ETH 031 | Social Justice Issues in Chicanx Communities | 3 |
| ETH 033 | Chicana Feminism | 3 |
| ETH 035 | Introduction to Chicanx Studies | 3 |
| ETH 037A | Mexican American History I | 3 |
| ETH 037B | Mexican American History II | 3 |
| ETH 041 | Vietnamese American Culture | 3 |
| ETH 042 | Asian American Experience | 3 |
| ETH 049 | Filipina/x/o American Experience | 3 |
| FCS 070 | Child Development | 3 |
| GEOG 010 | Introduction to Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 011 | Introduction to Cultural Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 012 | World Regions in Global Context | 3 |
| GLOBL 001 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| GLOBL 002 | Global Issues | 3 |
| GLOBL 003 | Introduction to Sustainability | 3 |
| GLOBL 007 | Global Citizenship/Civics | 3 |
| GLOBL 012 | World Regions in Global Context | 3 |
| GUIDE 001 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Identity Development | 3 |
| GUIDE 003 | Perspectives in Learning and Development | 3 |
| HED 010 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| HIST 001 | Survey of American History | 3 |
| orHIST 001H | Honors Survey of American History | |
| HIST 005 | History of Asian Americans | 3 |
| HIST 009 | Women in American History | 3 |
| HIST 010A | Development of Western Culture | 3 |
| HIST 010B | Development of Western Culture | 3 |
| HIST 011A | World History to 1500 | 3 |
| HIST 011B | World History from 1500 | 3 |
| HIST C1001 | United States History to 1877 | 3 |
| orHIST C1002H | United States History Since 1865 - Honors | |
| HIST C1002 | United States History Since 1865 | 3 |
| orHIST C1002H | United States History Since 1865 - Honors | |
| HIST 021 | African American History | 3 |
| HIST 024 | History and Culture of the American Indian | 3 |
| HUMNT 003 | Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| JOURN 021 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| KIN 010 | Sports in Society | 3 |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| orPOLS C1000H | American Government and Politics - Honors | |
| POLSC 002 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLSC 004 | International Relations | 3 |
| POLSC 005 | International Law and Human Rights | 3 |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| orPSYC C1000H | Introduction to Psychology - Honors | |
| PSYCH 012 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 020 | Psychology of Stress Reduction | 3 |
| PSYCH 022 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 031 | Biological Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 035 | Psychology of Women | 3 |
| PSYCH 051 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 060 | Personal Growth and Adjustment | 3 |
| PSYCH 092 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 099 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 100 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| SL 015 | Deaf Culture | 3 |
| SOC 010 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| orSOC 010H | Honors Introduction to Sociology | |
| SOC 011 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 017 | Sociology of Marriage and Family | 3 |
| Total Units | 18 | |
AA Degree Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | 18 | |
| General Education Requirements | 34 | |
| Degree Applicable Electives | 8 | |
| Complete two courses for the U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals Requirement (US-1, US-2, and US-3) | ||
| Total Units | 60 | |