Sociology is the study of human society in all its manifestations. Its aim is to discover the process and structure of human interaction, to identify the main forces that sustain or weaken social groups, and to determine the conditions that transform social life. Sociology, like any science, is a disciplined, intellectual quest for knowledge about the fundamental nature of things. Students selecting the Sociology major will choose one of five options:

✔ The General Sociology emphasis allows students to gain a broad perspective of sociology by providing an introduction to the discipline and its central issues and concepts. This emphasis offers the most flexibility in allowing students to choose which upper division courses to take.
✔ The Law & Society emphasis is designed for students interested in the study of law, politics, and research. It offers a structured program of courses in law, criminology, deviance, and their relation to issues of societal order and change. Focusing on law in action, students will study how legal and criminal systems operate and theories of legal/criminal behavior. Students can expect to take courses in violence and inequality, delinquency, deviance, the criminal justice system, criminology, and social problems.
✔ The Social Services emphasis focuses on the interactive perspective of family, community, social problems, and social services. The core of the curriculum addresses the fields of social welfare, the family, and social stratification. Students round out their program with courses chosen from areas of social issues, social interaction, gender, and organizational behavior. Students will also take multiple courses within the areas of psychology and race and ethnicity. The program provides a strong liberal arts education and adequately prepares students to work in the diverse social environment of the 21st century.
✔ The Global & International Sociology emphasis is designed for students interested in developing an interdisciplinary, historically-informed understanding of global issues as well as regional challenges and characteristics. Students will study the social bases of political and economic life, culture and communities, inequalities, ethnic relations, migration, environmental changes, and other issues. Besides sociology courses, students choose classes across diverse disciplines, for example, economics, anthropology, political science, history, religious studies, and international agriculture.
✔ The Race, Ethnicity, & Immigration emphasis brings together two sociological subfields by allowing students to take common core of lower division courses that provide them with a foundational knowledge of race & ethnicity and immigration. Students will build on this foundation by choosing from an array of Sociology courses that provide in-depth instruction in specific areas related to Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration, and from electives offered by the departments of African American and African Studies, Chicana/Chicano Studies, Native American Studies, Asian American Studies, Middle East and South Asia Studies, and other Social Science and Humanities departments offering relevant courses.

Career Opportunities
The Sociology major provides students with a solid liberal arts education that will prepare them for graduate work in the social sciences as well as a variety of careers. Students who major in sociology often work in areas such as business, education, law, social work or counseling, data analytics, research, health services, community engagement, and global fields.

The Science & Technology Studies (STS) major brings the perspectives of the humanities and social sciences together with science, technology, and medicine. It considers science, technology, and medicine in relation to their social, political, and economic contexts. The major combines history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, environmental studies, law, business, literature, and media studies to address the impacts and implications of science, technology, and medicine. The major allows students to pursue a broader understanding of science than is available within a traditional science major, and it provides important skills for interpreting science, technology, and medicine with regard to society and culture.

Career Alternatives
The STS major enables students to analyze science and allied practices from historical, philosophical, sociological, political, anthropological, and cultural perspectives. STS prepares students for careers that address the broader ramifications of science, technology, and medicine. STS majors often pursue careers in health care & medicine, law, journalism, public policy, economics, government, media & technology industries, science education, non-profit health organizations, libraries & museums, public health administration, management consulting, and teaching. STS majors are also well prepared for advanced research careers in the sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences.

The major program instructs students in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing the Russian language. The program also acquaints students with the intellectual and cultural contributions of the Russian world through the study of its literature, traditions, and institutions.

Internships & Career Alternatives
Russian majors may participate in internships where they can serve as translators and interpreters for schools and business firms throughout Northern California. Upon graduation, many Russian majors enter the business world or enter graduate programs in Slavic studies and international relations. The program encourages students to supplement their Russian studies with courses in related fields such as international relations, political science, computer science, cultural studies, or economics in order to maximize their career possibilities.

The major introduces students to the academic study of religion. Students can choose from a broad range of courses both in the program itself and in other departments and programs-history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, anthropology, American studies, classics, and medieval studies. In addition to studying religious thought per se, students in the major can also study the way religion has shaped human behavior in such matters as family life, gender roles, ethics, artistic life, concepts of individual freedom, the pursuit of science, and economics. For some students, Religious Studies is an appropriate second major and combines well with anything from philosophy to international agricultural development, political science, and the physical sciences.

Career Alternatives
Because of the program's focus on developing critical thinking, writing, and reading skills, students who major in Religious Studies are well prepared to enter a variety of careers, including, the health professions, law, business, teaching, and government. In an increasingly global society, knowledge of the world's religious traditions and practices has become an essential part of a student's education.

The Associate in Arts in Spanish for Transfer degree (AA-T) will help students develop proficiency in the following five skills: comprehension, speaking, reading, writing, and understanding of the people and culture of the Spanish-speaking countries. It is designed to provide a seamless transfer pathway for students interested in pursuing a Spanish degree in the California State University (CSU) system. Upon successful completion of the degree requirements, students will be guaranteed admission to the CSU system with junior status and will not have to repeat lower-division coursework. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to develop their educational plans because degree options and general education requirements vary for each university.

In terms of career opportunities the Associate in Arts in Spanish for Transfer degree will help to prepare for employment in the following: bilingual education, health, airlines, travel, tourism, banking, foreign language teaching, teacher’s aide, bilingual telecommunications, emergency services, international business, foreign service, foreign imports and exports, intelligence and military service, IRS and State Franchise Tax Board, overseas employment, business and commerce, law enforcement, Social Security officer, social services, translating and interpreting.

To obtain an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) students must meet the following additional requirements:

🗸 fulfill CSU Ge-Breath or IGETC requirements
🗸 complete 60 units of CSU-transferable coursework
🗸 maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0
🗸 complete all courses in the major with a grade of C or better (or a “P” if taken as P/NP)

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

✓ Demonstrate proficiency in the five skills as mandated by the competency guidelines of the American
✓ Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL): comprehension, speaking, reading, writing, and understanding the people and culture of Spanish, Latin-American, and Chicano communities.
✓ Analyze aspects of the Spanish-speaking culture that differ significantly from contemporary United States culture.
✓ Analyze and discuss major historical events and periods in the history of Spanish-speaking countries.

Sociology is the study of society and how individuals’ lives are shaped by the larger social structure. Sociologists study a wide range of topics, including inequality, race, gender and sexuality, family, media, crime and deviance, government, social policy, and religion. Sociology provides students with career opportunities in education, criminology and law, social work, urban planning, and public policy. Most career options require more than two years of college study. Students who obtain the Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T) will fulfill general education and transfer requirements that prepare students for further study in sociology and related fields. This degree aligns with both the CSU and UC Transfer Pathways. Note that all courses required for the major are CSU/UC transferable and can also count towards the 60 units and the GE-Breadth or IGETC requirements.

Students who complete an Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University System and priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. Students should consult with a counselor for more information on specific university major admission and transfer requirements.

The following are required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:

🗸 Minimum of 60 CSU transferrable semester units
🗸 Minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework
🗸 Completion of all courses in the major with grade of C or better or a P if the course is taken on a pass-no-pass basis
🗸 Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE Breadth) or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

✓ Develop and apply a “sociological imagination” to recognize the role social forces play in shaping the lives of individuals.
✓ Demonstrate an understanding of the connection between theory and evidence in the social sciences by comparing and applying major sociological theories and by citing and evaluating evidence to support claims about the social world.
✓ Demonstrate an understanding of the concept and the consequences of social construction as they relate to major social stratification categories like class, race, and gender

Psychology is the study of human thought, feelings, and behavior. Part of its appeal is the fact that it involves both scientific investigation and practical applications of those findings in everyday life. The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer (AA-T) prepares students for seamless transfer into psychology at a CSU. Students planning to transfer to a UC should meet with a counselor about additional major requirements.

Those pursuing psychology as a field of study will find many career options centering around helping others to understand, predict, and influence their own behavior and the behavior of others. Psychologists may teach, conduct research, perform psychological testing, or do consultation in a variety of settings which include hospitals, businesses, private practice, personnel offices, industry, colleges and universities, and government. Training in Psychology provides a valuable foundation for professions wherein interpersonal interactions are a component of the work setting.

Students who complete an Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University System and priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. Students should consult with a counselor for more information on specific university major admission and transfer requirements.

The following are required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:

🗸 Minimum of 60 CSU transferrable semester units
🗸 Minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework
🗸 Completion of all courses in the major with grade of C or better or a P if the course is taken on a pass-no-pass basis
🗸 Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE Breadth) or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

✓ Demonstrate respect for the psychological differences in opinions, feelings and values of others in one’s interactions.
✓ Analyze psychological data/information/theories, draw reasonable conclusions in relation to human behavior from the data/ information/theories, and recognize the implications when addressing and evaluating human-related problems and issues in making decisions.
✓ Articulate similarities and differences in human behavior among cultures, times, and environments, demonstrating an understanding of cultural pluralism and knowledge of global issues as they relate to human behavior

The department offers the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) program for students interested in the liberal arts and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program geared for students with an interest in either biology or mathematics. The main objective of both programs is a broad introduction to the scope of contemporary psychology. In addition to completing a number of common core courses for their degree, students may take approved elective courses from a wide range of topics including Educational Psychology, Interpersonal Communication, and Psychological Anthropology, to name a few. The department strongly encourages students to become involved in individual research projects under the direction of faculty members and to participate in our internship program to broaden experience and understanding of the field of psychology.

Career Pathways
A degree in psychology provides broad intellectual foundations that are useful to the graduate for the development of careers in a variety of areas, including social work, teaching, business, management, and counseling. An undergraduate education in psychology also provides excellent preparation for graduate study. Individuals with degrees in psychology may enter graduate programs to prepare for teaching, research, or clinical/counseling careers in psychology, or may go on to professional schools for training in veterinary and human medicine, law, and many other professions.

The Department of Political Science offers three majors:

✔ International Relations — Explores problems of security, development, ethnic conflict, human rights, health, and the environment at a global level.
✔ Political Science — Aims to provide the student with a broad understanding of political concepts, political institutions, political behavior, and political processes.
✔ Political Science—Public Service — For students who desire opportunities for practical hands-on experience in their major. It differs in particular from the political science major in its internship requirement and its focus on the American political system.

Internships & Career Alternatives
Both the proximity of UC Davis to the state capitol and the programs offered by the UC Washington Center afford exceptional internship possibilities in local, state, and national government offices, providing students with actual experience in politics and government service while still attending school. A student who majors in political science acquires research and analytic skills relevant to many professional fields. Consequently, the majors offered in political science are valuable not only in providing students with a better understanding of politics and political systems, but also as a first step toward careers in teaching, law, management, government, urban planning,  journalism, politics, administration, or for graduate studies in numerous fields.

Political Science focuses on the theory and practice of government and politics at the local, state, national, and international levels. It is dedicated to developing understanding of institutions, practices, and relations that constitute public life and modes of inquiry that promote citizenship. The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a baccalaureate degree in Political Science or similar majors.

For political science majors with the goal of applying to CSU as well as UC, there’s a lot of overlap in coursework; students who are applying to UC should consult with a counselor and ASSIST.org to choose the electives that will best satisfy specific UC major requirements.

Students who complete an Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University System and priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. Students should consult with a counselor for more information on specific university major admission and transfer requirements.

The following are required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:

🗸 Minimum of 60 CSU transferrable semester units
🗸 Minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework
🗸 Completion of all courses in the major with grade of C or better or a P if the course is taken on a pass-no-pass basis
🗸 Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE Breadth) or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

✓ Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary systems and governments.
✓ Analyze, investigate, and compare ideological approaches to governmental systems.
✓ Examine and apply theories, concepts, and practices in political theory.
✓ Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of political science and governance.