The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in the order in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in a semester, you should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below. Some courses have been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” . Should you need (or want) to take classes in the summer and/or winter intersessions, the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed schedule of the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate Degree”. If you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only required to take the courses marked “Program Requirement” .
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer) require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” , be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T) involves the scientific study of society, social institutions and social relationships. The course of study provides students the opportunity to acquire skills in research, information gathering, analytical and critical thinking, problem solving, and written and verbal communication.
Upon completion of the Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T), students will have a strong academic foundation in the field and be prepared for upper division baccalaureate study. Completion of the degree indicates that the student will have satisfied the lower division requirements for transfer into a Sociology program for many campuses in the California State University system.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate, through written and oral academic work, critical examination of the influence of social forces on groups and individuals as well as the impact of groups and individuals on society. Students will be able to identify, apply and critique the use of the scientific method as it relates to the study of society.
Icon Key
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Gateway Course
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Program Requirement
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General Education
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Appropriate for Intersession
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Available Online
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Global Citizenship
NOTE: This transfer and/or degree program may also be completed using CSU General Education (instead of IGETC). You should meet with a counselor to discuss which general education pattern is most appropriate based on your goal(s).
Semester 1
16 Units
This course introduces the study of society and human social interaction. Both macro and micro sociological theory are discussed, as well as methods of sociological inquiry, culture, socialization, deviance, social change and social stratification--particularly in the areas of social class, race and ethnicity, and gender. Students are highly encouraged to complete Sociology 1 prior to enrolling in other sociology courses.
- Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
This course covers concepts and procedures of descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory and inferential statistics. Course content includes: summarizing data; computation and interpretation of descriptive statistics;; classical probability theory; probability distributions; binomial, normal, T, Chi-square and F distributions; making inferences; decisions and predictions. This course develops, analyzes, and interprets confidence intervals for population parameters, hypothesis testing for both one and two populations, correlation and regression, ANOVA, and test for independence. This course develops statistical thinking through the study of applications in variety of disciplines. The use of a statistical/graphing calculator and/or statistical analysis software is integrated into the course.
- Prerequisite: MATH 20 or
- Prerequisite: MATH 18 or
- Prerequisite: MATH 49 or
- Prerequisite: MATH 50
- 2A: Mathematic
- B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Thinking
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 1
This introductory course in rhetoric emphasizes clear, effective written communication and preparation of the research paper.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 21B or
- Prerequisite: ENGL 22
- Prerequisite: ESL 19B or
- Prerequisite: Group A on the Placement Test
- 1A: English Composition
- A2 - Written Communication
- Area IV-A: Language and Rationality (Group A)
This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
Transferable Elective Course 3 units
Semester 2
15 Units
This course helps students to develop their critical thinking and writing skills beyond the level achieved in English 1. The course emphasizes the application of logical reasoning, analysis, and strategies of argumentation in critical thinking and writing, using literature (both fiction and non-fiction) and literary criticism as subject matter.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 1
- 1B: Critical Thinking-English Composition
- 3B: Humanities
- A3 - Critical Thinking
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
This course involves a sociological analysis of social problems on the local, national, and international level. Critical inquiry and analysis are conducted into issues such as global inequality, environmental destruction, urban deterioration, economic and political power distribution, poverty, racism, sexism, and problems of work, family, education, drugs, and crime. Theoretical perspectives of sociology and current sociological research are explored.
- Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and methods of sociological research design and implementation. Students examine the key varieties of evidence--including qualitative and quantitative data, data-gathering and sampling methods, logic of comparison, and causal reasoning. The work of several scholars is evaluated and students create their own research project related to a sociological issue.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- Skills Advisory: SOCIOL 1
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
required for CSU; elective for UC
See the full list: IGETC Area 1C Course
IGETC Area 3A Course 3 units
SOCIOL 30, 31, or 32 suggested
Semester 3
14-16 Units
IGETC Area 3B Course 3 units
IGETC Area 5C Course 4 units
SOCIOL 30, 31, or 32 suggested
Transferable Elective Course 1-3 units
Program Electives
6 Units
This course involves a sociological analysis of social problems on the local, national, and international level. Critical inquiry and analysis are conducted into issues such as global inequality, environmental destruction, urban deterioration, economic and political power distribution, poverty, racism, sexism, and problems of work, family, education, drugs, and crime. Theoretical perspectives of sociology and current sociological research are explored.
- Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and methods of sociological research design and implementation. Students examine the key varieties of evidence--including qualitative and quantitative data, data-gathering and sampling methods, logic of comparison, and causal reasoning. The work of several scholars is evaluated and students create their own research project related to a sociological issue.
- Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- Advisory: SOCIOL 1
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
This course is an examination of the family as a social institution. Emphasis will be placed on relationships between the family and other social institutions from American and cross-cultural perspectives. Theories of family development in society as well as pertinent research will be studied.
- Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
This course addresses the distinction between biological sex and the social construction of gender. Issues of gender inequality in societal institutions and social structures will be the focus of critical analyses of the consequences of the sex/gender system in the United States. Incorporating an understanding of the concept of Intersectionality will be critical to a more inclusive approach to gender and sexuality issues. A global perspective, which examines and compares the place of gender in nations of the North with those of the South, is also emphasized.
- Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
This course involves the critical examination of patterns, practices, and relations among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Particular attention will be given to problems of ongoing discrimination, prejudice, assimilation and cultural pluralism, and power differences between groups. Interconnections between race, ethnicity, social class, gender, and other systems of inequality will be emphasized. Social movements organized within and among racial and ethnic groups that address institutional inequalities in this society will be analyzed.
- Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course considers individual human behavior in relation to the social environment. The power of the situation, other individuals, and the social group will be examined. Emphasized topics include: aggression, prejudice and stereotypes, interpersonal attraction, attitudes and attitude change, conformity, group phenomena, gender roles, cultural norms, person perception, and social cognition.
- Advisory: PSYCH 1
- 4I: Psychology
- D9 - Psychology
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)