Catalog 2022-2023

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Sociology

Associate in Arts Degree

A student obtaining an A.A. degree in Sociology will be able to demonstrate critical thinking, analytic problem solving, and communication skills. Students apply these skills to understand diverse communities and their interactions, social change, and/or use scientific methods to find empirical answers to complex social questions. The Sociology Program at West Valley College is primarily transfer oriented. It prepares students to enter 4-year Sociology or any Sociology-related program at the university level.

Required Sociology Courses (6 units)

Course NumberCourse TitleUnits
SOCI001Introduction to Sociology3 units
Select one:
SOCI002
SOCI002H

Social Problems
Honors Social Problems

3 units
3 units

Sociology Courses (12 units)

Course NumberCourse TitleUnits
SOCI003Social Psychology: A Sociological Perspective3 units
SOCI012Introduction to Research Methods3 units
SOCI020Sociology of Race and Ethnicity3 units
SOCI028Sociology of Gender3 units
SOCI040Marriage and Family Sociology3 units
SOCI045Sociology of Human Sexuality3 units

Elective Courses (3-4 units)

Course NumberCourse TitleUnits
Only one:
ANTH003
ANTH003H

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Honors Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

3 units
3 units
GEOG002Introduction to Cultural Geography3 units
Only one:
MATH010
MATH010H

Elementary Statistics
Honors Elementary Statistics

4 units
4 units
Only one:
PSYC001
PSYC001H

General Psychology
Honors General Psychology

3 units
3 units
Only one:
ECON001A
ECON001AH

Principles of Macroeconomics
Honors Principles of Macroeconomics

4 units
4 units
Only one:
ECON001B
ECON001BH

Principles of Microeconomics
Honors Principles of Microeconomics

4 units
4 units

Total Major Units: 21-22 units

To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must:

  1. Achieve a grade of “C” or better in the major requirements.
  2. Completion of WVC, CSU-Breadth, or IGETC General Education patterns. Students whose goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree should complete the CSU-Breadth or IGETC General Education pattern.
  3. Complete additional degree applicable units to meet the minimum 60-unit Associate Degree requirements.

Upon successful completion of this program a student will be able to:

  • Evaluate social science research methodologies and/or apply empirical research to human behavior.
  • Contrast the merits and limitations of various social science research methodologies with emphasis on the role of sampling and surveys in sociological research.
  • Identify and distinguish various major theoretical perspectives within sociology and how these differ from other social science disciplines
  • Analyze the major dimensions of the diversity of human social experiences using scientific discourse.
  • Distinguish the sociological perspective from the perspectives of other social sciences.
  • Identify social factors that influence family structure and function.
Last Updated 10/14/22