Global Studies
Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) Political Science, Economics, Global Studies, and Law and Society · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
We live in a world that seems to become “smaller” at an accelerated pace. Rise in global trade, rapid advances in technology, unprecedented degrees of inter-cultural communication and international travel, a growing body of international law, the growing number of global non-state actors and the seriousness of today’s environmental problems have been creating an increasingly connected world. This process of globalization has transformed our planet, creating new opportunities and many new challenges. The mission of the Global Studies Program is to enable students to understand how globalization continues to evolve, and to provide an academic background which prepares them for today’s many career fields that require a global perspective.
The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Global Studies provides students with the foundational knowledge necessary to make a successful transition into a Baccalaureate Degree at any of the CSU campuses. The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU impacted campuses or majors. Students who are planning to pursue an AA-T or AS-T are strongly advised to meet with a counselor for additional information about this transfer program. Visit https://adegreewithaguarantee.com/ for more information about these degrees.
Requirements
Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or "P" in each course.
- Cal-GETC pattern.
- At least 60 CSU transferable semester units.
- Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework.
- A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| GLST 101 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| GLST 102 | Global Problems | 3 |
| List A - Complete five courses from at least four of the following areas: | 15-20 | |
| Area 1: Culture and Society | ||
| ANTH 103 | Introduction To Cultural Anthropology | |
| ANTH 104 | Language and Culture | |
| HIST 107 | World Civilization, Beginnings to 1550 | |
| HIST 108 | World Civilization, 1550 to Present | |
| HIST 133 | History of Latin America | |
| HIST 134 | History Of Latin America: 1800'S To Modern Period | |
| Area 2: Geography | ||
| GEOG 101/ERTH 141 | Physical Geography | |
| GEOG 102 | Human Geography | |
| GEOG 104 | World Regional Geography | |
| GEOG 105/ERTH 142 | Economic Geography | |
| Area 3: Economics | ||
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
| ECON C2002 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| Area 4: Politics | ||
| POLS 121 | International Politics | |
| orPOLS 121H | International Politics, Honors | |
| POLS 131 | Comparative Politics | |
| Area 5: Humanities | ||
| ART 108 | History of Asian Art | |
| ART 111 | Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous America, Beginnings to Present | |
| CHIN 103 | Intermediate Chinese | |
| ENG 111 | Critical Thinking and Composition Through Literature | |
| orENG 111H | Critical Thinking and Composition Through Literature, Honors | |
| ENG 231 | World Literature: Ancient Times to 16th Century | |
| ENG 232 | World Literature: 17th Century to Present | |
| FR 103 | Intermediate French I | |
| FR 104 | Intermediate French II | |
| ITAL 103 | Intermediate Italian I | |
| ITAL 104 | Intermediate Italian II | |
| JAPN 103 | Intermediate Japanese I | |
| PHIL 102 | Comparative World Religions | |
| SPAN 103 | Intermediate Spanish I | |
| SPAN 104 | Intermediate Spanish II | |
| Total Units | 21.00-26.00 | |
Students are advised to consult the CSU ADT Major & Campus Search database to determine which bachelor's degree programs offered by the CSU campuses are deemed similar to the AA-T in Global Studies. Students are also advised to consult ASSIST (www.assist.org) and to meet with an academic counselor to discuss the best combination of courses to take for their AA-T to ensure they receive the admission benefits associated with it, and to meet the requirements of the transfer institution to which they are intending to transfer.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe key developments in the ongoing process of globalization.
- Explain the nature and reasons for various global problems and the actions taken to address them.
- Analyze the concept of global interdependence with reference to various characteristics of globalization and to specific global problems.
- Connect events discussed in contemporary news with concepts related to political, economic, cultural and ecological globalization and global problems.
Recommended Course Sequence
Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.
How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.