Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts
The Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree is designed for students who wish a broad knowledge of liberal arts and science plus additional coursework in an Area of Emphasis. The Area of Emphasis is designed to prepare students for life in a global community with core knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for personal and professional success.
To earn this degree, students must meet the following requirements:
- Choose option A or B or C for the General Education pattern related to your educational goal:
- Associate of Arts/Associate of Science General Education; or
- California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-B); or
- Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
- Complete a minimum of 18 units in one of the five Areas of Emphasis with a grade of C or higher:
- Arts and Humanities
- Communications and Media
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Science and Math
- Cultural and Global Studies
- For all options, complete the necessary West Valley College Graduation and Proficiency requirements.
- Completion of 60 degree applicable units with an overall 2.0 GPA.
- For breadth, include at least two disciplines.
- Courses can be counted toward completion of General Education requirements.
Students can earn only one AA in Liberal Arts with a single area of emphasis.
The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Arts and Humanities provides students the opportunity to study cultural, literary, humanistic activities and artistic expression of human beings. Students evaluate and interpret the ways in which people through the ages in different cultures have responded to themselves and the world around them in artistic and cultural creation. Students also learn to value aesthetic understanding and incorporate these concepts when constructing value judgments.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Develop an ability to identify artwork from various periods and styles, and recognize the way art can affect or reflect cultural, political and humanistic issues.
- Demonstrate an understanding of western and non-western works of philosophical, historical, literary, aesthetic and cultural importance.
The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Communications and Media provides students the opportunity to learn the myriad of ways that we deliver information (verbally and visually), and provide an understanding of the psychological basis, social significance and impact of communication and media in our society.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Explain and be able to demonstrate ideas and concepts through verbal and nonverbal expression through written and oral communication.
- Analyze and demonstrate the psychological basis, social significance, and impact of communication and media in our society.
The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences provides students an opportunity to develop a broad perspective on concepts, theories and methodologies of the disciplines typically found in the variety of disciplines that comprise the study in the social and behavioral sciences. Students study about themselves and others as a member of a larger society in order to gain a basic knowledge of the cultural and social organizations in which they exist as well as the behavioral and social organizations of other human societies.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of human behavior in relation to human, social, political, and economic institutions.
- Evaluate and critique past, present, and future issues from a historical, cultural, psychological, and social perspective.
The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Science and Math provides students an opportunity to develop knowledge of scientific theories, concepts and data about both living and non-living systems. The courses in this area also emphasize the natural sciences which examine the physical universe, its life forms and its natural phenomena. In addition, these courses emphasize experimental methodology, testing hypotheses, and the power of systematic questioning. Courses in math emphasize the development of mathematical and quantitative reasoning skills beyond the level of elementary algebra.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an ability to think logically and critically in solving problems.
- Demonstrate an understanding of experimental methodology, testing of hypothesis, the power of systematic questioning, and influence of the scientific method in society.
The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Cultural and Global Studies provides students an opportunity to learn how we function effectively and live harmoniously in a pluralistic society in an increasingly global environment. The focus of this area is to foster a sense of inquiry about cultural differences and similarities. With this as a focus, the courses further acknowledge the experience, scholarship, and accomplishments of the many cultures in our society and in the world.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Analyze how we function effectively and live harmoniously in a pluralistic society.
- Critically analyze diverse and conflicting points of view and understand the interconnectedness of individuals in society.
- Analyze the experience, scholarship, and accomplishments of the many cultures in our society and in the world.