Degree Requirements and Courses
Learn more about certificate and degree requirements, course content, recommended sequence, and schedule.
General Studies: Language Arts AS Degree
General Studies – 18 Unit Emphasis | SC Program: AS.1502
The emphasis in language arts allows students to explore the areas of both written and spoken English language, literature, and world languages.
Choose your path
Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.
A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.
Fall Semester, First Year
16 Units TotalENGL 1A
GE
4
College Composition
ENGL 1A
Note: For students who would benefit from further instruction and individual support while taking their first college-transfer level English course, ENGL 1AX is a recommended alternative to ENGL 1A.
This course develops the reading, critical thinking, and writing skills necessary for academic success, emphasizing expository and argumentative writing as well as research and documentation skills. As a transferable course, it presupposes that students already have a substantial grasp of grammar, syntax, and organization, and that their writing is reasonably free from errors. A research paper is required for successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course develops the reading, critical thinking, and writing skills necessary for academic success, emphasizing expository and argumentative writing as well as research and documentation skills. As a transferable course, it presupposes that students already have a substantial grasp of grammar, syntax, and organization, and that their writing is reasonably free from errors. A research paper is required for successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
CMST 60
GE
3
Public Speaking
CMST 60
This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with an emphasis on public speaking. The subjects covered are speech topic selection, audience analysis, information competency (e.g. researching, evaluating, and using supporting materials), presentation outlining, principles of effective speech delivery, critical evaluation of speeches, and presentation of informative and persuasive speeches. Most students will have the opportunity to be recorded and to use presentational technology. College-level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines, and short essays. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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SOC 3
GE
3
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
SOC 3
This course is an introduction to the basic statistical methods and analyses commonly used in the behavioral sciences. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics; levels and types of measurement; measures of central tendency and dispersion; normal, t, and chi-square distributions; probability and hypothesis testing; and correlation and regression. Applications of statistical software to the behavioral sciences and/or other social science data is required. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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STU 1
GE
3
College Success
STU 1
This course is designed to help students increase their academic potential and begin learning and applying strategies for success in college and life-long learning. Topics include discovering personal and academic goals, self-discovery, study strategies, critical thinking, communication skills, and college resources and policies. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIST 17A
GE
3
United States History
HIST 17A
Advisory: ENGL 1A with a grade of C or higher
This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Spring Semester, First Year
15 Units TotalENGL 1B
GE
3
Literature and Composition
ENGL 1B
This course emphasizes the development of critical thinking and writing skills through close study of the major genres of literature: poetry, drama, short story and novel. Students receive further instruction and practice in analytical writing, developing arguments about literary works and the critical reception of those works. In discussion and writing, students will also examine arguments as such, learning to identify sound as well as fallacious reasoning in critical assessments of literature. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ENGL 31
M
3
Creative Writing
ENGL 31
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher
In this course, students learn the craft and principles of dramatic narrative and poetry through a variety of short assignments. A final project may be written in any field of interest: short story, article, movie/TV script, stage play, or book. Analysis and lecture are presented both for those desiring to write experimentally, and for those interested in the demanding world of publication. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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In this course, students learn the craft and principles of dramatic narrative and poetry through a variety of short assignments. A final project may be written in any field of interest: short story, article, movie/TV script, stage play, or book. Analysis and lecture are presented both for those desiring to write experimentally, and for those interested in the demanding world of publication. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
NUTR 25
GE
3
Nutrition
NUTR 25
This course provides a comprehensive study of the relationship between nutrition and human biology. A study of nutrients and their biological functions, chemical classifications, sources, digestion, absorption, metabolic pathways, chemical reactions, and the interplay of neural, enzymatic, and hormonal mechanisms will be emphasized. The sequential steps of the scientific method will be explored. Students will identify and apply relevant scientific research in nutrition guidelines, health, weight regulation, sports nutrition, the diet-disease relationship, psych-social impact on food choice, and analysis of special nutritional requirements and needs during the life cycle.
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THTR 1
3
Introduction to Theatre Arts
THTR 1
This course is a survey of Theatre Arts, theatre history, playwrights, practitioners, genres, production methods, dramatic structure, performance style, plays, terminology, history, criticism, and stagecraft. Students will develop an appreciation for the theatre arts through lectures, play reading, viewing, critiquing, and participating in college productions. This course fulfills the Arts requirement for General Ed Transfer. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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CMST 10
M
3
Interpersonal Communication
CMST 10
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.
This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with emphasis on interpersonal communication. Emphasis is placed on the psychological, social, cultural and linguistic factors that affect normal person-to-person interactions. Subjects covered are the understanding of ethical interpersonal communication based in communication theory and research, listening, verbal and nonverbal communication, self-awareness/ self-concept, perception, emotions, relationships, communication climates, and conflict management. Students will increase their knowledge and skills in interpersonal communication. College level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines and short essays. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with emphasis on interpersonal communication. Emphasis is placed on the psychological, social, cultural and linguistic factors that affect normal person-to-person interactions. Subjects covered are the understanding of ethical interpersonal communication based in communication theory and research, listening, verbal and nonverbal communication, self-awareness/ self-concept, perception, emotions, relationships, communication climates, and conflict management. Students will increase their knowledge and skills in interpersonal communication. College level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines and short essays. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Fall Semester, Second Year
14 Units TotalENGL 13A
M
3
Surv of English Lit Through Neoclassism
ENGL 13A
This course is the first semester of the basic two-semester English Literature survey course commonly offered in the sophomore year at colleges and universities. It involves the intensive study of and reading and writing upon representative masterpieces of the literary history of England from the Anglo-Saxon period to the end of the 18th century. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ENGL 1C
M
3
Critical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing
ENGL 1C
This course focuses on critical thinking skills, close textual analysis, and expository and argumentative writing. Students apply critical thinking skills in reading non-fiction and fiction, and in writing essays of definition, cause/effect analysis, argumentation, refutation, and advocacy. Students will learn to use research strategies in analyzing others' ideas and supporting their own. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ASL 1
M
4
American Sign Language 1
ASL 1
This course is designed to introduce students to basic skills in American Sign Language vocabulary, fingerspelling, and grammatical structure. The student will gain the manual skills to engage in basic dialogue and visual cues, and the receptive skills to understand general American Sign Language conversation. Topics include American Sign Language as an independent language, the history of American Sign Language, the Deaf community, and Deaf culture. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ENGL 16
M
3
Poetry
ENGL 16
This is an intensive course analyzing the techniques and forms of poetry in English with stress on the genre. Interpretation and appreciation are the primary goals. Emphasis is on extensive reading for pleasure and various types of writing, including analytical, responsive, and experiential, as well as group experiences in listening. In addition, this course seeks to equip the college literature student to understand literary materials in a new way. The course includes a number of written exercises. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ASL 1L
M
Lab
1
American Sign Lang 1-Skill Building Lab
ASL 1L
This course is designed to give students a lab environment to practice basic American Sign Language skills. The course will review vocabulary, sentence structure, nonmanual markers and gesturing. In addition, students will gain a solid foundation in basic signing skills, preparing them to advance to American Sign Language 2. The lab environment will provide visual structured activities. The majority of class time will consist of non-verbal interactions. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, Second Year
15 Units TotalCMST 20
GE
M
3
Intercultural Communication
CMST 20
The purpose of this course is to develop the skills necessary to build and maintain positive communication and relationships across cultures. Students will focus on similarities and differences in communication behaviors. Perceptions, language usage, nonverbal style, thinking modes, and values will be explored within and between members of different ethnic and cultural groups, as well as the appreciation and comparison of communication among diverse groups within the larger context of American culture. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HUM 2
3
Exploring the Humanities
HUM 2
This course is designed to explore the humanities by examining expression of human values, ideas, concerns, and experience through the arts, literature, media and the social sciences. The reading of important works in the humanities, written analysis, and attendance at selected performances are major requirements of this course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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POLS 2
3
Introduction to American Government
POLS 2
Advisory: ENGL 1A or English Placement Level 7 or higher.
This course is an introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. An examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy, this course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is an introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. An examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy, this course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ETHS 1
3
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHS 1
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course
This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ENGL 10B
M
3
World Literature (after 1650)
ENGL 10B
This course introduces students to some representative masterpieces in world literature beginning with 1650 and continuing to the present. A majority of the works will be selected from non-Western literary traditions. The course involves critical analysis of these works within the context of the culture and time in which they were written. Emphasis centers on identifying and analyzing important themes that shape and define the human experience. ENGL 10A is not a prerequisite to ENGL 10B. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.
*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:
- California State Universities – General Education
- IGETC – Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
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