General Studies Pattern I: Social and Behavior Sciences 2025-2026, Associate in Arts
General Studies Pattern I: Social and Behavior Sciences 2025-2026, Associate in Arts
The Social and Behavioral Sciences area of emphasis examines people as members of society. The courses are designed to develop students’ awareness of the method of inquiry used by the social and behavioral sciences to stimulate critical thinking about the ways people respond to their societies and to promote appreciation of how societies and social subgroups operate. The category would include introductory or integrative survey courses in cultural anthropology, cultural geography, economics, history, political science, psychology, sociology, or related disciplines.
To obtain an AA in General Studies with an emphasis in the Social and Behavioral Sciences emphasis, students must
1. Area of Emphasis - Complete the coursework from the Social and Behavioral Sciences area of emphasis listed below. At least 6 units of the 18 units required for the area of emphasis must be completed within a single discipline.
2. General Education - Complete Moorpark College’s General Education requirements (Areas 1 through 7).
3. Units - Satisfactorily complete at least 60 semester units of degree-applicable college coursework (including general education, area of emphasis, and, if needed, free electives).
4. GPA - Achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better in courses used for the degree.
- Courses for the area of emphasis must be completed with a grade of "C" or better or “P” if the course is taken on a “pass-no pass” basis. Even though a “P” is allowed, it is recommended that students complete all coursework in the area of emphasis for a letter grade ("A," "B," or "C").
5. Residency - Complete a minimum of 12 semester units within the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD).
NOTE: Students planning to transfer to a four-year university are advised that this curriculum may not adequately prepare them for transfer. General Studies Patterns 2 and 3 are designed for transfer students.
Social and Behavioral Sciences Area of Emphasis
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANCT/ANSC M09 | Animal Behavior | 3 |
| ANTH M02 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH M03 | Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTH M06 | Introduction to Native American Studies | 3 |
| ANTH M07 | Peoples and Cultures of the World | 3 |
| ANTH M08 | Linguistic Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH M09 | Sex, Gender, and Culture | 3 |
| ANTH M11 | The Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft and Religion | 3 |
| ANTH M13 | The Chumash and Their Neighbors: Indians of California | 3 |
| ANTH M14 | Monkeys, Apes, and Humans | 3 |
| ANTH M15 | Egyptology: Archaeology of the Land of the Pharaohs | 3 |
| ANTH M16 | Mysteries of the Ancient Maya | 3 |
| ANTH M17 | Forensic Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH M18 | Culture, Health, and Healing | 3 |
| ANTH M19 | Professionalism in Archaeology: Cultural Resource Management | 3 |
| BUS M30 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| CD M02 | Human Development: Infancy through Adolescence | 3 |
| CD M03 | Child, Family, and Community | 3 |
| or CD M03H | Honors: Child, Family, and Community | |
| CD M05 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CJ M01 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| or CJ M01H | Honors: Introduction to Criminal Justice | |
| CJ M02 | Concepts of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ M03 | Community Relations | 3 |
| CJ M08 | Introduction to Constitutional Law | 3 |
| COMM M04 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM M12 | Intercultural Communications | 3 |
| COMM M13 | Gender Communication | 3 |
| ECON M170 | Economic History of the US | 3 |
| ECON M201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON M202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| or ECON M202H | Honors: Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| ETHS M01 | Introduction to Chicana/o Studies | 3 |
| ETHS M10 | Introduction to African American Studies | 3 |
| ETHS M40 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| FTMA M100/JOUR M01 | Introduction to Mass Communications | 3 |
| FTMA M108 | Women in Cinema | 3 |
| GEOG M02 | Cultural Geography | 3 |
| GEOG M03 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| or GEOG M03H | Honors: World Regional Geography | |
| GEOG M10 | Geography of California | 3 |
| HED M03 | Nutrition, Fitness, and Stress Management | 3 |
| HED M20 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| HED M21 | Social Determinants of Health, Disparities and Equities | 3 |
| HED M22 | Personal Health and Wellness | 3 |
| HIST M25 | History of the United States | 3 |
| or HIST M25H | Honors: History of the United States | |
| HIST M130 | United States History Through Reconstruction | 3 |
| HIST M131 | African American History to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST M133 | History of Mexican Americans | 3 |
| HIST M135 | Native American History and Culture | 3 |
| HIST M137 | History of American Women | 3 |
| or HIST M137H | Honors: History of American Women | |
| HIST M140 | United States History 1865 to the Present | 3 |
| HIST M141 | African American History Since 1877 | 3 |
| HIST M143 | History of California | 3 |
| HIST M145 | Race and Ethnicity in American History | 3 |
| HIST M150 | World History: From Prehistory to 1500 | 3 |
| HIST M152 | History of Asia from Prehistory to 1600 | 3 |
| HIST M160 | World History: From 1450 to the Present | 3 |
| HIST M162 | History of Asia From 1600 To The Present | 3 |
| HIST M164 | History of Latin America | 3 |
| HIST M170 | Western Civilization: From Prehistory to 1600 | 3 |
| HIST M180 | Western Civilization: From 1600 To The Present | 3 |
| NTS M01 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 3 |
| NTS M07 | Cultural Foods | 3 |
| PHIL M03 | Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL M22 | Ethics of Business | 3 |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| or POLS C1000H | American Government and Politics - Honors | |
| POLS M01 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| POLS M02 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLS M04 | International Relations | 3 |
| POLS M05 | National, State and Local Politics | 3 |
| POLS M06 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| POLS M09 | Introduction to Political Science Research Methods | 3 |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| or PSYC C1000H | Introduction to Psychology - Honors | |
| PSY M03 | Personal Growth and Social Awareness | 3 |
| PSY M04 | Child Psychology | 3 |
| PSY M05 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY M06 | Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods | 3 |
| PSY M07 | Developmental Psychology (Lifespan) | 3 |
| PSY M08 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY M10 | Dying and Death | 3 |
| PSY M13 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PSY M14 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| PSY M16 | Personality Theories | 3 |
| SJS M110 | Introduction to Social Justice Studies | 3 |
| SJS M120 | Introduction to Women's Studies | 3 |
| SJS M130 | Introduction to LGBTQ Studies | 3 |
| SOC M110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| or SOC M110H | Honors: Introduction to Sociology | |
| SOC M115 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC M120 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC M130 | Introduction to Marriage and Family | 3 |
| SOC M140 | Introduction to Gender | 3 |
| SOC M150 | Introduction to Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| SOC M160 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
| SOC M212 | Introduction to Sociology of Religion | 3 |
| SOC M216 | Sociology of Deviant Behavior | 3 |
| SOC M218 | Organized Crime and Terrorism | 3 |
| SWHS M110 | Introduction to Social Work and Human Services | 3 |
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of human behavior, including social interaction and individual behavior in relation to social, cultural, political, psychological, economic, linguistic, biological, physical and other contexts and variables.
- articulate how societies, cultures and subcultures develop and change over time, and how they influence human behavior within specific contexts, including historic contexts.
- articulate how decisions are made in economic or political systems.
- demonstrate ability to utilize the research information technologies, reading abilities and theoretical frameworks that support lifelong learning about the study of human beings and their psychology, their behavior, their social interactions, their cultural diversity and the richness of their human heritages.
- apply critical thinking and methods of inquiry, including qualitative and quantitative analysis, appropriate to social science disciplines.
- communicate clearly ideas and facts regarding the human condition and how humans respond, adapt and intentionally change those conditions.
- articulate the importance of responsible participation in their government, community and society.
- explain the significance of cooperation and peaceful resolution in addressing societal conflicts.