Liberal Arts & Sciences: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Associate of Arts (AA) Liberal Arts & Sciences · Las Positas College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
The Liberal Arts & Sciences: Social and Behavioral Sciences AA courses emphasize the perspective, concepts, theories and methodologies of the disciplines typically found in the vast variety of disciplines that comprise study in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students will study about themselves and others as members of a larger society. Topics and discussion to stimulate critical thinking about ways people have acted in response to their societies will allow students to evaluate how societies and social subgroups operate.
Program Learning Outcome(s)
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Apply basic social scientific methods to investigate the relationships among individuals, cultures, and societies.
- Describe the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in the social science disciplines.
- Identify the major ideas, values, beliefs, and experiences that have shaped human history and cultures.
Liberal Arts & Sciences: Social and Behavioral Sciences (AA): Program Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core: Select at least 18 units from below with at least 3 units from 3 disciplines (18-20 Units) | ||
| AJ 50 | Introduction to Administration of Justice | 3 |
| AJ 54 | Investigative Report Writing | 3 |
| AJ 55 | Introduction to Correctional Science | 3 |
| AJ 59 | Child Abuse in the Community | 3 |
| AJ 60 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| AJ 61 | Evidence | 3 |
| AJ 63 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| AJ 64 | Police Patrol Operations | 3 |
| AJ 66 | Juvenile Procedures | 3 |
| AJ 68 | Police Ethics and Leadership | 3 |
| AJ 70 | Community Relations | 3 |
| AJ 89 | Family Violence | 3 |
| ANTR 1 | Biological Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTR 2 | Introduction to Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTR 3 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTR 4 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| ANTR 7 | Native American Cultures of North America | 3 |
| ANTR 8 | World Prehistory in an Archaeological Perspective | 3 |
| ANTR 12 | Magic/Religion/Witchcraft/Healing | 3 |
| ANTR 13 | Introduction to Forensic Anthropology | 3 |
| ECE 10 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| ECE 40 | Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning | 3 |
| ECE 54 | Child Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 |
| ECE 56 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECE 60 | Introduction to the Young Child with Exceptional Needs | 3 |
| ECE 61 | Literature for the Young Child | 3 |
| ECE 62 | Child, Family and Community | 3 |
| ECE 74 | Child Guidance | 2 |
| ECE 79 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON C2002 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 10 | General Economics | 3 |
| ENG 44 | Literature of the American West | 3 |
| ETHS 10 | Introduction to African American and Black Studies | 3 |
| ETHS 20 | Introduction to Asian American Studies | 3 |
| ETHS 30 | Introduction to Chicanx and Latinx Studies | 3 |
| GEOG 2 | Cultural Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 5 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 12 | Geography of California | 3 |
| GS 1 | Introduction to Global Studies | 3 |
| GS 2 | Political, Economic, and Cultural Globalization | 3 |
| HEA 1 | Introduction to Personal Health | 3 |
| HEA 3 | Women's Health | 3 |
| HEA 7 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| HEA 11 | Health and Social Justice | 3 |
| HIST 1 | Western Civilization to 1600 | 3 |
| HIST 2 | Western Civilization since 1600 | 3 |
| HIST 3 | World History to 1500 | 3 |
| HIST 4 | World History since 1500 | 3 |
| HIST 14 | History and American Cultures of California | 3 |
| HIST 25 | American Indian History | 3 |
| HIST 28 | History of American West | 3 |
| HIST 32 | U.S. Women's History | 3 |
| HIST C1001 | United States History to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST C1002 | United States History since 1865 | 3 |
| JAMS 1 | Introduction to Mass Communications | 3 |
| JAMS 2 | Introduction to Media | 3 |
| LGBT 1 | Introduction to LGBTQ Studies | 3 |
| LGBT 2 | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Psychology | 3 |
| NTRN 10 | Perspectives in Cultural Nutrition | 3 |
| PCN 5 | Introduction to Social Work and Human Services | 3 |
| PCN 13 | Cultural Identity and Diversity in Social Work and Human Services | 3 |
| POLI 12 | Introduction to California State and Local Government | 3 |
| POLI 20 | Comparative Government | 3 |
| POLI 25 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| POLI 30 | International Relations | 3 |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSYC 3 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 4 | Brain, Mind, and Behavior | 3 |
| PSYC 6 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 10 | Psychology of Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PSYC 12 | Life-Span Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 13 | Psychology of Women | 3 |
| PSYC 15 | Abnormal Child Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 17 | The Psychology of Sleep and Dreams | 3 |
| PSYC 21 | Psychology of Race and Identity | 3 |
| PSYC 25 | Research Methods | 4 |
| PSYC 27 | Introduction to Cognitive Science | 3 |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 1 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 3 | Introduction to Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| SOC 4 | Marriage and Family Relations | 3 |
| SOC 6 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 7 | Sociology of Sexuality | 3 |
| SOC 11 | Sociology of Gender | 3 |
| SOC 12 | Popular Culture | 3 |
| SOC 13 | Research Methods | 4 |
| WMST 1 | Introduction to Women’s Studies | 3 |
| WMST 2 | Global Perspective of Women | 3 |
| Total Units in the Area of Emphasis | 18-20 | |
| Additional General Education and Elective Units | ||
| See the Las Positas College General Education (LPC-GE) pattern or the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern for a listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program, the optional course(s) taken, and the GE pattern selected. Elective units must be degree applicable. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal. | 40-42 | |
| Total | 60 | |