A Liberal Arts major includes coursework from various academic disciplines. At VVC, the Liberal Arts major has three areas of emphasis to choose from: Arts & Humanities, Math & Science, and Social & Behavioral Sciences. These majors require a student to spend a significant amount of time on studies focused on one of these three areas of emphasis. Students planning to transfer into a major that is not available at VVC often choose to major in Liberal Arts because they can easily plan courses that meet their transfer requirements as well as this Associate of Arts major. Please work with a counselor to carefully craft the plan is that right for your goals.
Transfer
Please visit the VVC Transfer Center in Building 23 or schedule an appointment with a counselor if you have questions.
Liberal Arts, AA Degrees
The Associate degree in Liberal Arts is designed for students who wish to have a broad knowledge of the liberal arts and sciences plus additional coursework in an Area of Emphasis. With these majors, students who plan on transferring to a university can typically satisfy both their general education requirements as well as many pre-major requirements for transfer. Consult with a counselor for information regarding your intended major and the specific college or university of your choice. Visit assist.org for more information. For a printable format for these majors please visit the Liberal Arts Majors document. Students may earn more than one of these AA degrees.
Liberal Arts: Arts and Humanities Emphasis, AA
State Control Number: 18595
Program Code: LAAH.AA
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: Yes
These courses emphasize the study of cultural, literary, and humanistic activities and artistic expression. Students will evaluate and interpret the ways in which people through the ages in different cultures have responded to themselves and to the world around them in artistic and cultural creation. Students will also learn to value aesthetic understanding and incorporate these concepts when constructing value judgments.
To earn this degree, complete the major coursework with “C” grades or better and all of the following graduation requirements: 60 minimum degree-applicable units (including a maximum 4 units of activity); 2.0 minimum overall GPA; 12 degree-applicable units through VVC; Information Competency; Global Citizenship; Kinesiology, and the VVC General Education pattern. Courses may count in one area only, either in the major or in a general education category. Courses counted in one AA/AS major may not be used in another AA/AS major.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Complete at least 18 units from the following, with at least two courses in any one subject. | 18.0 | |
| American Sign Language | ||
| American Sign Language I 1 | ||
| American Sign Language II 1 | ||
| American Sign Language III 1 | ||
| American Sign Language IV 1 | ||
| Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology 1 | ||
| Art | ||
| Survey of Art History 1 | ||
| Survey Art History 1 | ||
| Film As an Art Form 1 | ||
| Introduction to Art | ||
| Art Concepts | ||
| Art & Life of Greece 1 | ||
| Art and Life of Italy 1 | ||
| Survey of African American Art | ||
| Introduction to the Arts of Africa | ||
| Design I | ||
| Design II | ||
| Color Theory | ||
| Acrylic Painting I | ||
| Life Drawing I | ||
| Drawing I | ||
| Oil Painting I | ||
| Commercial Art | ||
| Digital Imaging | ||
| Communication Studies | ||
| Intercultural Communication 1 | ||
| English | ||
| Composition and Literature | ||
| Honors Composition and Literature | ||
| Creative Writing 2 | ||
| Authors of the Theatre 3 | ||
| Modern Fiction | ||
| Poetry | ||
| Survey of American Literature 1600-1865 | ||
| Survey of American Literature 1865 to Present | ||
| Chicanx and Latinx Literature 1 | ||
| African American Literature 1 | ||
| Native American Literature 1 | ||
| Children's Literature | ||
| World Literature Ancient-Early Renaissance 1 | ||
| World Literature Renaissance-Modern 1 | ||
| Survey of British Literature Early Medieval-Neoclassics | ||
| Survey of British Literature Romantic Period to 20th Century | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| French | ||
| Elementary French 1 | ||
| Elementary French 1 | ||
| History | ||
| World History to 1500 1 | ||
| World History Since 1500 1 | ||
| History of California | ||
| History of U.S to 1876 | ||
| Honors Us History to 1876 | ||
| History of U.S From 1876 | ||
| Honors History of the United States From 1876 | ||
| Latin American History to 1822 1 | ||
| Latin American History From 1822 1 | ||
| African American History | ||
| Women in U.S. History 1 | ||
| Kinesiology | ||
| History and Appreciation of Dance 1 | ||
| Music | ||
| Introduction to Music | ||
| Fundamentals of Music | ||
| Music Theory I | ||
| Music Theory II | ||
| Music in America | ||
| History of Jazz 1 | ||
| Survey of Rock and Roll 1 | ||
| Intermediate Theory-Chromatic Practice I | ||
| Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Ethics and Contemporary Moral Issues | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory and Thought 1, 3 | ||
| Philosophy of Religion 3 | ||
| History of Ancient Philosophy | ||
| History of Modern Philosophy 1 | ||
| Political Science | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory and Thought 2, 3 | ||
| Religious Studies | ||
| Introduction to Religious Studies 1 | ||
| Old Testament, Hebrew Bible, Religions of the Ancient Near East 1 | ||
| Introduction to the New Testament and Early Christian Literature 1 | ||
| Religions of the Middle East and the West 1 | ||
| Religions of South and East Asia 1 | ||
| Religion in America | ||
| Philosophy of Religion 3 | ||
| Spanish | ||
| Elementary Spanish 1 | ||
| Fundamentals of Spanish 101A 1 | ||
| Fundamentals of Spanish 101B 1 | ||
| Elementary Spanish 1 | ||
| Intermediate Spanish 1 | ||
| Intermediate Spanish 1 | ||
| Theater Arts | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| History of Theatre 1 | ||
| Oral Interpretation of Literature | ||
| Intermediate Acting | ||
| Principles of Design for Theatre | ||
| Authors of the Theatre 3 | ||
| Total Units | 18 | |
- 1
Course fulfills the VVC Global Citizenship competency.
- 2
Course does not transfer to UC
- 3
Cross-listed courses are the same course listed under different departments ENGL 116 Authors of the Theatre = TA 116 Authors of the Theatre; PHIL 114 Introduction to Political Theory and Thought = POLS 114 Introduction to Political Theory and Thought; PHIL 117 Philosophy of Religion = RLST 117 Philosophy of Religion
Liberal Arts: Mathematics/Science Emphasis, AA
State Control Number: 18594
Program Code: LAMS.AA
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: Yes
These courses emphasize the natural sciences which examine the physical universe, its life forms and its natural phenomena. Courses in Math emphasize the development of mathematical and quantitative reasoning skills beyond the level of intermediate algebra. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the methodologies of science as investigative tools. Students will also examine the influence that the acquisition of scientific knowledge has on the development of the world‘s civilization.
To earn this degree, complete the major coursework with “C” grades or better and all of the following graduation requirements: 60 minimum degree-applicable units (including a maximum 4 units of activity); 2.0 minimum overall GPA; 12 degree-applicable units through VVC; Information Competency; Global Citizenship; Kinesiology, and the VVC General Education pattern. Courses may count in one area only, either in the major or in a general education category. Courses counted in one AA/AS major may not be used in another AA/AS major.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Complete at least 18 units from the following. One course must be from math. One course must be from science. At least two courses must be from one subject. | 18.0 | |
| Agriculture and Natural Resources | ||
| Introduction to Plant Science | ||
| Environmental Science and Sustainability | ||
| Environmental Science Laboratory Laboratory | ||
| Allied Health | ||
| Medical Aspects of Drugs & Alcohol | ||
| Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Physical Anthropology | ||
| Physical Anthropology Laboratory | ||
| Astronomy | ||
| Descriptive Astronomy | ||
| Biology | ||
| General Biology | ||
| Introduction to Human Biology | ||
| Principles of Heredity | ||
| Biology of Cells | ||
| Biology of Organisms | ||
| Population and Environmental Biology | ||
| Human Anatomy | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Human Physiology | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| Introductory Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| Introductory Chemistry II: Organic Chemistry | ||
| Introductory Chemistry III: Biochemistry | ||
| Organic Chemistry | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Geography | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography | ||
| Geography 1 Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Weather and Climate 2 | ||
| Geology | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| Health | ||
| Contemporary Problems in Personal and Community Health | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Trigonometry 2 | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Honors College Algebra | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistics With Skills Support | ||
| The Ideas of Math | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | ||
| Honors Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | ||
| Honors Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | ||
| Honors Analytic Geometry and Calculs III | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Physical Sciences | ||
| Principles of Physical Science | ||
| Physics | ||
| Introductory Physics | ||
| Engineering Physics I-Mechanics | ||
| Engineering Physics II - Fluids, Sound, and Thermodynamics | ||
| Engineering Physics III Electricity And Magnetism | ||
| Engineering Physics IV-Optics and Modern Physics | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Psychology | ||
| Biopsychology | ||
| Introduction to Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Total Units | 18 | |
- 2
Course does not transfer to UC.
Liberal Arts: Social/Behavioral Science Emphasis, AA
State Control Number: 18596
Program Code: LASBS.AA
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: Yes
These courses emphasize the perspectives, concepts, theories and methodologies of the social and behavioral sciences. Students will learn 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.
To earn this degree, complete the major coursework with “C” grades or better and all of the following graduation requirements: 60 minimum degree-applicable units (including a maximum 4 units of activity); 2.0 minimum overall GPA; 12 degree-applicable units through VVC; Information Competency; Global Citizenship; Kinesiology, and the VVC General Education pattern. Courses may count in one area only, either in the major or in a general education category. Courses counted in one AA/AS major may not be used in another AA/AS major.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Complete at least 18 units from the following, with at least two courses in any one subject. | 18.0 | |
| Agriculture and Natural Resources | ||
| Sustainable Agriculture, Environment and Society 1 | ||
| Agriculture Economics 2 | ||
| Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Physical Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 1 | ||
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology 1 | ||
| North American Prehistory | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Child Growth & Development | ||
| Child, Family, and Community | ||
| Criminal Justice | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| Communication Studies | ||
| Intercultural Communication 1 | ||
| Economics | ||
| Principles of Economics: Macro 1 | ||
| Principles of Economics: Micro 1 | ||
| English | ||
| Native American Literature | ||
| Geography | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Geography 1 | ||
| Geography of California | ||
| World Regional Geography 1 | ||
| Guidance | ||
| First Year Experience | ||
| Personal & Career Success | ||
| Learning Strategies and Study Skills 2 | ||
| History | ||
| World History to 1500 1 | ||
| World History Since 1500 1 | ||
| History of California | ||
| History of U.S to 1876 | ||
| Honors Us History to 1876 | ||
| History of U.S From 1876 | ||
| Honors History of the United States From 1876 | ||
| Latin American History to 1822 1 | ||
| Latin American History From 1822 1 | ||
| African American History | ||
| Women in U.S. History 1 | ||
| Kinesiology | ||
| Psychology of Physical Performance 2 | ||
| Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory and Thought 1, 3 | ||
| Political Science | ||
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| Introduction to American Government And Politics | ||
| State and Local Government 2 | ||
| Introduction to International Relations 1, 2 | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Government And Politics 1 | ||
| Politics of Middle East and North Africa 1 | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory and Thought 1, 3 | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management 1 | ||
| Psychology | ||
| Introductory Psychology | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Intorduction to Human Sexuality | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Religious Studies | ||
| Religion and Society 1 | ||
| Religion in America | ||
| Sociology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology 1 | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Introduction to Marriage and Family 2 | ||
| Introduction to Race and Ethnicity 1 | ||
| Total Units | 18 | |
- 1
Course fulfills the VVC Global Citizenship competency.
- 2
Course does not transfer to UC
- 3
Cross-listed courses are the same course listed under different departments ENGL 116 Authors of the Theatre = TA 116 Authors of the Theatre; PHIL 114 Introduction to Political Theory and Thought = POLS 114 Introduction to Political Theory and Thought; PHIL 117 Philosophy of Religion = RLST 117 Philosophy of Religion
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are statements of the kind of learning a program hopes a student will achieve. The PLOs describe the knowledge, skills, problem-solving, communication and values that apply to all certificates and/or degrees within that program. For the IGETC program, PLOs link to the college's Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs).
Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Communication: Read and write analytically including evaluation, synthesis, and research; deliver focused and coherent presentations.
- Computation: Apply complex problem-solving skills using technology, computer proficiency, decision analysis (synthesis and evaluation), applications of mathematical concepts and reasoning, and the analysis and use of numerical data.
- Creative, Critical and Analytical Thinking: Apply procedures for sound reasoning in the exercise of judgment and decision making; demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a respect for learning; solve problems through analysis, synthesis, evaluation and creativity; identify, evaluate and appropriate use of multiple sources of information.
- Social and Personal Responsibility: Evaluate the relationship between natural, social and economic systems and the significance of sustainability; demonstrate responsible attitudes toward cultural diversity, citizenship, personal contribution to local and international communities, and the effect of human actions on the environment.
- Information Competency: Students demonstrate information competency and critical thinking skills through their ability to effectively locate, retrieve, evaluate and utilize use library and information resources within the guidelines of academic standards to meet collegiate and personal information needs.
- Health and Human Flourishing: Synthesize educational aims into a holistic approach to the many facets of human flourishing; apply principles of physical, psychological and emotional health and fitness; demonstrate scholarly skills that support intellectual virtues for life-long learning; embrace concepts of fiscal responsibility; and define goals that extend beyond oneself.