The Associate in Arts Degree in General Studies Patterns 2 and 3 with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences offers a broad interdisciplinary curriculum designed for both general and area of emphasis students who are interested in pursuing an associate degree and transferring to a further study program at a baccalaureate institution. The curriculum encourages students to explore and discover the nature and common themes of the disciplines represented by an area of emphasis.
The Associate in Arts (AA) degree requirements are fulfilled by completing 60 degree-applicable units including the Moorpark College general education requirements and 18 units in the Social and Behavioral area of emphasis. To ensure depth as well as breadth in the major, students must choose a minimum of 6 units from the same discipline within the 18 units in the emphasis.
The program goals align with the college’s mission: empowers learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to achieve their certificate, associate and baccalaureate degree, and transfer and career education goals.

Pattern 2 is intended for students who are planning to transfer to a four-year university in high-unit majors or when completion of the Cal-GETC Pattern is not appropriate or advisable. (See www.assist.org or a college counselor for guidance.) Independent or out-of-state universities may also fall in this category.

Pattern 3 is intended for students who are planning to transfer to a California public four-year university (UC or CSU) and wish to use the Cal-GETC fulfill their lower-division general education (GE) requirement. 

The courses that fulfill the Social and Behavioral Sciences area of emphasis will examine 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. This emphasis enables the student to take courses that will satisfy lower-division major preparation requirements for areas within the fields of Anthropology, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.

To obtain an AA in General Studies with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences, students must:

1. Area of Emphasis - Complete the coursework from the Social and Behavioral Sciences area of emphasis listed below, including:

• A minimum of 18 units with a grade of “C” or better (or a “P”) in each of the courses selected within the chosen area. 
• At least 6 of the 18 units required for the area of emphasis must be completed within a single discipline.

2. General Education (GE) - Complete either Option A or B

     A) General Studies Pattern 2 - Select and complete courses from the general education pattern of a transfer institution to include, at a minimum, the following Title 5 requirements (21 units):

• Area 1A - English Composition - one course (3 units)
• Area 1B - Oral Communication and Critical Thinking - one course (3 units)
• Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning - one course (3 units)
• Area 3 - Arts and Humanities - one course (3 units)
• Area 4 - Social and Behavioral Sciences - one course (3 units),
• Area 5 Natural Sciences - one course (3 units)
• Area 6 Ethnic Studies - one course (3 units)

     B) General Studies Pattern 3 - Complete the Cal-GETC pattern. Students who complete Cal-GETC need to apply for GE certification in the Counseling Office and may also be able to apply for a Certificate of Achievement.

3. Units - Satisfactorily complete at least 60 semester units of degree-applicable college coursework (General Studies Patterns 2 and 3 degrees require all 60 units to be CSU transferable units).

4. GPA - Achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better in degree-applicable college credit coursework.

5. Residency – Complete a minimum of 12 semester units within the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD).  

Social and Behavioral Sciences 

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• demonstrate efficient oral and written academic work knowledge of the social and behavioral sciences.
• demonstrate the preparation to pursue further study in a related major at the baccalaureate level.
• demonstrate the proficiency in the research, analytical, and communication skills necessary to present a critical analysis.
• 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.
• 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.
  
• articulate the importance of responsible participation in their government, community and society.