General Studies – 18 Unit Emphasis | SC Program: AS.1516

This emphasis allows students to explore the social and behavioral sciences as a foundation for lifelong learning, or as introduction to the related fields of anthropology, psychology, sociology, economics, geography, history, and political science.

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

15 Units Total
AS 1A
GE 3
AS 1A - English Composition
AS 1A
Units 3
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AS 2
GE 3
AS 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning
AS 2
Units 3
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PSYC C1000
M 3
Introduction to Psychology
PSYC C1000
Units 3
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course.

This course is an introduction to psychology, which is the study of the mind and behavior. Students focus on theories and concepts of biological, cognitive, developmental, environmental, social, and cultural influences, their applications, and their research foundations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ECE 1
M 3
Human Development
ECE 1
Units 3
This course involves a study of development and behavior throughout the human life span. Classic and up-to-date research on the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains will be presented. Theories will be integrated with practical application concepts throughout the course, underscoring the importance of life-long learning and adaptation. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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STU 1
3
College Success
STU 1
Units 3
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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Spring Semester, First Year

16 Units Total
AS 5
GE 3
AS 5 - Natural Sciences
AS 5
Units 3
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AS 3
M 3
AS 3 - Arts and Humanities
AS 3
Units 3
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SOCI C1000
M 3
Introduction to Sociology
SOCI C1000
Units 3
This course introduces students to Sociology: the study of people, groups, and institutions that shape people's lives. Through a mix of theory, research, and real-world examples, students explore key sociological concepts like culture, inequality, power, collective action, and social change. With content reflecting diverse histories and lived experiences, students make connections between their lives and the social forces that influence individual opportunities and choices. Students in this course will develop a critical lens that allows them to better understand and transform themselves and society. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HUSV 70
M 3
Intro to Social Work and Human Services
HUSV 70
Units 3
This is an introductory overview of social welfare and the societal institutions in the U.S. that structure the provision of social services. The course presents a historical perspective on the development of U.S. social work and human services. Special attention is given to current service delivery systems, their policies and procedures, and the tasks of culturally responsive social workers and human service workers within those settings. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ELCT
4
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 4
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Fall Semester, Second Year

15 Units Total
AS 1B
GE 3
AS 1B - Oral Communication
AS 1B
Units 3
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SOC 2
M 3
Social Problems
SOC 2
Units 3
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher

This course explores significant social problems in contemporary society, including the role of power in defining social problems. It examines the process of how social problems arise in society, and their consequences. As an introduction to this topic, the course will focus on understanding how and why social problems develop and the controversies that accompany them. The course will be organized into three main units. The first will consider different theoretical perspectives as well as social science research methods used to identify and understand social problems. The second unit of the course will examine specific social problems associated with the relationship between social inequality and social structure. The third unit of the course will discuss institutional and organizational policies that develop as a result of social problems and the outcomes of those social policy approaches. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ELCT
3
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 3
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ELCT
3
Elective
ELCT
Units 3
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ELCT
3
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 3
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Spring Semester, Second Year

14 Units Total
AS 6
GE 3
AS 6 - Ethnic Studies
AS 6
Units 3
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ELCT
3
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 3
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ELCT
3
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 3
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ELCT
3
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 3
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ELCT
2
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 2
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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:

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Academic/Instructional Division Office

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