Liberal Arts American Studies Emphasis
A.A. Degree Liberal Arts · Santa Ana College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Program Code: SAC.LAAS.AA
Program Control Number: 18580
This is a diversified degree designed for students desiring a broad knowledge of liberal arts and sciences plus additional coursework in an “Area of Emphasis”. The degree allows students to develop an appreciation and understanding of the beauty and values that have shaped and enriched our culture. The program of study also enables students to develop intellectual maturity, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the American heritage.
This program provides excellent preparation for a variety of personal and professional goals. Please consult a counselor for educational planning and information regarding specific goals.
I. Requirements:
- Complete general education Plan 1 (associate degree AA/AS only, nontransfer) or Plan 2 (Cal-GETC, CSU or UC transfer) as related to your educational goal. The CSU GE or IGETC pattern may be used in some cases; please see a counselor for details.
- Complete a minimum of 18 units from a single Area of Emphasis listed below. For depth of study, students are strongly encouraged to complete two or more courses in a single discipline as part of their 18 units. (Note: Courses in the chosen "Area of Emphasis" may also be applied toward general education areas on Plans 1 and 2.) Note: Although a course may be listed in more than one area of emphasis of the Liberal Arts degree, it may only be used to meet a requirement for a single emphasis.
- Complete all other associate degree requirements for Santa Ana College.
II. Areas of Emphasis: 1. American Studies Emphasis 2. Arts, Humanities and Communications Emphasis 3. Business and Technology Emphasis 4. Kinesiology and Wellness Emphasis 5. Mathematics and Science Emphasis 6. Social And Behavioral Sciences Emphasis
1 . American Studies (sac.laas.aa)
These courses emphasize the peoples, cultures, institutions, and cultural trends of the United States. Students will examine American culture as a whole from various perspectives. Students will also learn how this country has been shaped by a variety of disciplines while recognizing the diversity of our culture. This emphasis may be of interest to those planning to pursue careers in business, communications, government service, law, social services, and teaching.
NOTE: Although a course may be listed in more than one area of emphasis of the Liberal Arts degree, it may only be used to meet a requirement for a single emphasis.
Learning Outcome(s):
- Students will study American culture as a whole from various perspectives.
- Students will examine the formation of our country while recognizing the diversity of our culture.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Courses: | 18 | |
| APCD 110 | Apprenticeship Child, Family and Community (DS2) | 3 |
| APCD 221 | Apprenticeship Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| ASL 110 | American Sign Language I | 4 |
| orASL 110H | Honors American Sign Language I | 4 |
| ASL 111 | American Sign Language II | 4 |
| orASL 111H | Honors American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ASL 112 | Deaf Culture | 3 |
| ASL 116 | Introduction to Deaf Studies | 3 |
| ASL 210 | American Sign Language III | 4 |
| orASL 210H | Honors American Sign Language III | 4 |
| ASL 211 | American Sign Language IV | 4 |
| ANTH 100 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| orANTH 100H | Honors Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 104 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| orANTH 104H | Honors Language and Culture | 3 |
| ANTH 125 | Native Americans in the U.S. | 3 |
| ART 103 | Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America | 3 |
| ART 104 | Mexican and Chicano Art History | 3 |
| ART 108 | Contemporary Art History: Art Since Mid-Twentieth Century | 3 |
| ASIA 150 | Introduction to Asian American Studies | 3 |
| BIOL 200 | Human Ecology | 3 |
| BLST 150 | Introduction to African/Black American Studies | 3 |
| CHST 150 | Introduction to Chicana/Chicano Studies | 3 |
| CDEV 110 | Child, Family, and Community (DS2) | 3 |
| CDEV 221 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CMST 103 | Introduction to Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| orCMST 103H | Honors Introduction to Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| CMST 206 | Gender Communication | 3 |
| orCMST 206H | Honors Gender Communication | 3 |
| CMPR 100 | Computer, AI, & Society | 3 |
| CNSL 116 | Career/Life Planning and Personal Exploration | 3 |
| CNSL 128 | Introduction to Community Activism | 3 |
| CNSL 150 | Introduction to Social Work and Human Services | 3 |
| CJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| orCJ 101H | Honors Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 107 | Principles and Procedures in the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| DNCE 100 | Dance History and Appreciation | 3 |
| orDNCE 100H | Honors Dance History and Appreciation | 3 |
| DM 101 | TV and Society: A Visual History | 3 |
| DM 103 | History of Film to 1945 | 3 |
| DM 104 | History of Film from 1945 to Present | 3 |
| EDUC 201 | Introduction to Elementary Classroom Teaching | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| orENGL 104H | Honors Language and Culture | 3 |
| ENGL 241 | Survey of American Literature 1600-1865 | 3 |
| ENGL 242 | Survey of American Literature, 1865-Present | 3 |
| ENGL 243 | The Modern American Novel | 3 |
| ENGL 245 | The Image of African Americans in Literature and Films | 3 |
| ENGL 246 | Survey of Chicano Literature | 3 |
| Course | 0 | |
| ENVR 200 | Human Ecology | 3 |
| ETHN 102 | The Borderlands: Cultural Context and Intercultural Relations | 3 |
| orETHN 102H | Honors the Borderlands: Cultural Context and Intercultural Relations | 3 |
| ETHN 150 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| orETHN 150H | Honors Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| GEOG 140 | California Geography | 3 |
| HIST 118 | Social and Cultural History of the United States | 3 |
| HIST 123 | African American History to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 124 | Mexican American History in the United States | 3 |
| orHIST 124H | Honors Mexican American History in the United States | 3 |
| HIST 125 | Native Americans in the U.S. | 3 |
| HIST 127 | Women in U.S. History | 3 |
| HIST 129 | LGBTQ+ History in the U.S. | 3 |
| HIST 133 | History of California | 3 |
| HIST 146 | African American History from 1863 to the Present | 3 |
| HIST C1001 | United States History to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST C1001H | United States History to 1877 - Honors | 3 |
| HIST C1002 | United States History since 1865 | 3 |
| HIST C1002H | United States History since 1865 - Honors | 3 |
| JAMS 105 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| JAMS 111 | Media, Race and Gender | 3 |
| JAMS 121 | Reporting and Writing the News | 3 |
| KNHE 101 | Healthful Living | 3 |
| orKNHE 101H | Honors Healthful Living | 3 |
| KNHE 102 | Women's Health Issues | 3 |
| KNPR 170 | Sport Ethics | 3 |
| LAW 100 | Law and Society | 3 |
| MUS 103 | Jazz in America | 3 |
| MUS 104 | Rock Music History and Appreciation | 3 |
| MUS 105 | Film Music Appreciation | 3 |
| NUTR 120 | Food and Culture | 3 |
| PARA 100 | Law and Society | 3 |
| PARA 107 | Principles and Procedures in the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| orPOLS C1000H | American Government and Politics - Honors | 3 |
| POLT 200 | American Political Thought | 3 |
| orPOLT 200H | Honors American Political Thought | 3 |
| POLT 235 | Identity Politics | 3 |
| PSYC 170 | Multicultural Psychology | 3 |
| Courses | 0 | |
| SOC 112 | Relationships, Marriages, and Family Dynamics | 3 |
| SOC 140 | Social Problems | 3 |
| orSOC 140H | Honors Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 150 | Intro to Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| SOC 286 | Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies | 3 |
| THEA 100 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 120 | Musical Theatre History | 3 |
| WMNS 101 | Introduction to Women's Studies | 3 |
| WMNS 102 | Money, Sex, and Power | 3 |
| WMNS 286 | Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies | 3 |
| Total | 18 | |