Associate in Arts for Transfer | SC Program: AA-T.1002

Sociology is all about understanding human interactions and social institutions and examining why they work the way they do. Most sociology majors want to work with people and gravitate towards careers in human services, social work, government, education and community organizing.

Sociology is the systematic and scientific study of society and social behavior. The sociologist looks beyond individual and unique events to the predictable broad patterns and regular occurrences of social life that influence individuals. Studies range from the profound impact of post-industrial societies on family life, crime, mass communications, gender, race, ethnicity and intergenerational relations to the study of emotions and the values that govern daily social encounters.

The sociology major is designed to provide undergraduate preparation leading to careers in social work, politics, law, public administration, the nonprofit sector, international development, marketing, urban and environmental planning, public relations, personnel, criminal justice, counseling and other social service professions. The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer degree will also prepare a student for advanced studies in several areas, including sociology, social work, environmental studies, education, public health and urban planning. This degree prepares students for a CSU Baccalaureate Degree in Sociology.

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 Total
ENGL C1000
GE 4
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1000
Units 4
Note: For students who would benefit from further instruction and individual support while taking their first college-transfer level English course, ENGL C1000E is a recommended alternative to ENGL C1000.

In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. An argumentative research essay is required for the successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Cal-GETC 3A
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 3A - Arts
Cal-GETC 3A
Units 3
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Cal-GETC 6
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 6 - Ethnic Studies
Cal-GETC 6
Units 3
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SOC 3
GE M 3
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
SOC 3
Units 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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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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Spring Semester, First Year

15 Units Total
Cal-GETC 1B
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 1B - Critical Thinking and Composition
Cal-GETC 1B
Units 3
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COMM C1000
GE 3
Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM C1000
Units 3
In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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Cal-GETC 3B
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 3B - Humanities
Cal-GETC 3B
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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SOC 25
M 3
Race, Ethnicity, and Society
SOC 25
Units 3
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course

This course examines the social, economic, political, and cultural dynamics of race and ethnicity in the United States. It utilizes theory to assess the comparative histories, cultures, and intellectual traditions of Native Americans, African Americans, Latino/as, and Asian Americans. It introduces major concepts used to understand the lived experiences of historically racialized groups such as social construction of race, racial formation, critical race theory, internal colonialism, and intersectionality. The course emphasizes the role of resistance and agency in advancing the goals of self-determination, decolonization, and equity. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Fall Semester, Second Year

16 Units Total
Cal-GETC 4
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 4 - Social Sciences
Cal-GETC 4
Units 3
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Cal-GETC 5A
GE Lab 4
Cal-GETC Area 5A - Physical Sciences
Cal-GETC 5A
Units 4
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SOC 30
M 3
Sociology of Gender
SOC 30
Units 3
Advisory: English Placement Level 6 or higher or Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course.

Gender is arguably the most salient characteristic determining one's place in any society. Gender is the first thing you notice about another person and your assessment of a person's gender shapes your expectations of that person. These expectations (which are often requirements) place very real constraints and limitations on individuals. The sociology of gender focuses on the social construction of gender. Other theories of gender such as biological explanations will be discussed in comparison to the social constructionist approach. The course will begin with an examination of key theoretical approaches to the study of gender. Special attention will be paid to how gender is constructed at the level of society as well as how we engage in the re-creation and construction of gender in our everyday lives. Gender will be explored as an institution and a system as well as how it influences individuals. Because gender does not exist in a vacuum, gender will be discussed in relation to its intersection with other social locations such as race, class, sexuality, age, and ethnicity. The differential effects of gender along these lines will be discussed and highlighted through all of the applied topics. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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PSYC C1000
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
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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Spring Semester, Second Year

13 Units Total
Cal-GETC 5B
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 5B - Biological Sciences
Cal-GETC 5B
Units 3
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Cal-GETC 4
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 4 Social Sciences
Cal-GETC 4
Units 3
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HUSV 70
GE 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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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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