Law and Society
Associate of Arts (AA) Political Science, Economics, Global Studies, and Law and Society · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
The Law and Society Program involves the study of law and legal systems as they relate to the larger societies of which they are a part. While the program is of special interest to students who plan careers in government service or law, many of the majors simply share a desire to understand the role of law in society.
Some of the questions students will encounter in courses in this program include: Do all societies have law? Why do legal systems develop? What purposes are served by the law? Why do different societies develop different types of law? How are legal resources distributed within societies? How does one determine if a law is constitutional? How does one know if a law is just? While these are only examples of the issues addressed by the program, they do suggest the breadth of the concerns involved.
The Law and Society major seeks to understand the nature of law and legal institutions from a variety of perspectives. The program is interdisciplinary, with courses offered in the following fields: Justice Studies, Anthropology, Economics, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology. The program is designed to benefit both the student who desires a liberal education and the student who intends to enter graduate or law school.
Requirements
Associate Degree Graduation Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 20% of the major requirements must be completed through SBCC).
- One of the following General Education options:
- OPTION 1: SBCC General Education pattern OR
- OPTION 2: Cal-GETC pattern
- A minimum of 60 semester units of degree-applicable college credit (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher and C1000 and higher).
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in degree-applicable coursework.
- A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| PHIL 205 | Introduction to Logic | 3 |
| POLS 151 | Law And Society | 3 |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction To Sociology | 3-4 |
| orSOC 101H | Introduction to Sociology, Honors | |
| List A - Complete three courses from the following: | 9-12 | |
| ANTH 103 | Introduction To Cultural Anthropology | |
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
| orECON C2001H | Principles of Microeconomics - Honors | |
| ECON C2002 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| orECON C2002H | Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors | |
| HIST 103 | History of Western Civilization | |
| HIST 104 | History of Western Civilization | |
| orHIST 113H | History Of Western Civilization: 1600 To Present, Honors | |
| HIST C1001 | United States History to 1877 | |
| HIST C1002 | United States History since 1865 | |
| orHIST C1002H | History Of The U.S. Since 1865 - Honors | |
| PHIL 200 | History Of Philosophy: Ancient | |
| PHIL 201 | Modern Philosophy: Minds, Matter, and Metaphysics | |
| POLS 104 | American Government: Policy Issues/Process | |
| POLS 121 | International Politics | |
| orPOLS 121H | International Politics, Honors | |
| POLS 131 | Comparative Politics | |
| PSY 150 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | |
| orPSYC C1000H | Introduction to Psychology - Honors | |
| Total Units | 21.00-25.00 | |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of the interrelationships among various legal institutions and actors.
- Analyze law and legal systems as they relate to the larger societies of which they are part.
- Understand the various sources of laws and how the different components of the legal system operate to settle both criminal and civil conflicts.
Recommended 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.