General Studies—Liberal Studies, Associate in Arts
General Studies—Liberal Studies, Associate in Arts
The Associate in Arts in General Studies—Liberal Studies will examine a diverse array of academic disciplines, providing a breadth of knowledge necessary to prepare students in the subject matter required for a multiple subject teaching credential in elementary or special education.In addition, the coursework is designed to enable students to: explore how knowledge across multiple disciplines are interrelated; think critically and creatively; write and speak clearly, coherently, and thoughtfully; read, understand, and evaluate all forms of text; evaluate the positive value and essential role of diversity; and formulate goals for continued learning and inquiry based on a foundation of intellectual curiosity.
Students are required to:
- Complete Ventura College’s General Education requirements to include areas 1-7 or the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).
- Complete a minimum of 18 units in the Social and Behavioral Sciences major requirements. Each course in the major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better (or a "P"). (Note: Universities have limitations on the number of units that can be taken “Pass/No-Pass” and therefore it is strongly recommended that students take all major coursework for a letter grade.) Courses in the area of emphasis may also be used to fulfill general education requirements but the units may count only once.
- Complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable units. Students intending to transfer will need to complete 60 CSU or UC transferable units.
- Complete requirements in scholarship (2.0 minimum cumulative degree-applicable GPA).
- Complete a minimum of 12 semester units in residence within the Ventura County Community College District.
- Apply for the A.A. degree in the Counseling Office by the stated deadlines.
NOTE: Students planning to transfer to a four-year university are advised to choose courses that meet the lower division major preparation and general education requirements for their chosen university in consultation with a college counselor.
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
Select 18 units from the following: | ||
| ARTH V01 | Art Appreciation | 3 |
| BIOL C1001 | Introduction to Biology | 3 |
| BIOL C1001L | Introduction to Biology Lab | 1 |
| CDEV C1000 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| CD V03 | Human Development | 3 |
| CD V05 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CD V24 | Child Nutrition, Health, and Safety | 3 |
| CD V61 | Child, Family, and Community | 3 |
| CD V62 | Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| CD V63 | Introduction to Curriculum in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| COMM C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMM V10 | Critical Thinking in Oral Communication: Argumentation and Debate | 3 |
| DANC V01 | Dance Appreciation | 3 |
| EDU V03 | Introduction to Elementary Teaching | 3 |
| EDU V08 | Children's Art within a Multicultural Perspective | 3 |
| EDU V09 | Dance and Music for Transitional Kindergarten through the Elementary Years | 3 |
| EDU V10 | Literacy in Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
| ENGL C1003 | Critical Thinking and Writing through Literature | 4 |
| ENGL C1001 | Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
| ENGL V18 | Children's Literature and Film | 3 |
| ENGL V21A | British Literature before 1800 | 3 |
| ENGL V21B | British Literature since 1800 | 3 |
| ENGL V22A | American Literature: Colonial Period to 1865 | 3 |
| ENGL V22B | American Literature: 1865 to Present | 3 |
| ENGL V34 | Introduction to Chicana/o Literature | 3 |
| GEOG V02 | Introduction to Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG V08 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| GEOL V02 | Physical Geology | 3 |
| GEOL V02L | Physical Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| GEOL V09 | Earth Science with Laboratory | 4 |
| HIST C1001 | United States History to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST V59 | History of California | 3 |
| HIST V76 | World History to 1550 | 3 |
| MATH V38 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers | 3 |
| MATH V40 | Exploration of Mathematical Ideas | 3 |
| MUS V08 | Music Appreciation | 3 |
| PHIL V04 | Introduction to Logic | 3 |
| PHIL V05 | Critical Thinking and Analytical Writing | 3 |
| PHSC V01 | Concepts in Physical Science | 4 |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| POLS V03 | Introduction to Political Science | 3 |
| PSY V05 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| THA V01 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| Required Core Units | 18 | |
| --------------------- | ||
| Total Major Units | 18 | |
| --------------------- | ||
| VCCCD General Education Pattern | ||
| Required Major Units | 18 | |
| VCCCD General Education Units | 24 | |
| Double-Counted Units | (3-18) | |
| Elective Units | 21-36 | |
| Total Units for the A.A. Degree | 60 | |
| OR | ||
| Cal-GETC General Education Pattern | ||
| Required Major Units | 18 | |
| Cal-GETC General Education Units | 34 | |
| Double-Counted Units | (3-18) | |
| Elective Units | 11-26 | |
| Total Units for the A.A. Degree | 60 | |
Plan of Study with VC General Education
This Plan of Study applies to the VCCCD General Education Pattern and illustrates one sequence of courses to meet the degree requirements in two years. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to design a plan of study which will best meet their specific educational needs.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Units/Hours | |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing (Satisfies VCCCD GE Area 1a) | 4 |
| Select Course from Required Course List (Double Counts for VCCCD GE Area 2) | 3 | |
| Select Course from Required Course List (Double Counts for VCCCD GE Area 3) | 3 | |
| Select Course from Required Course List (Double Counts for VCCCD GE Area 1C) | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 2 | |
| Units/Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select Course from Required Course List (Double Counts for VCCCD GE Area 1B) | 3 | |
| Select Course from Required Course List (Double Counts for VCCCD GE Area 5) | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Select Course from Required Course List (Double Counts for VCCCD GE Area 4) | 3 | |
| Select Course...VCCCD Area 6 | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select Course...VCCCD Area 7 | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 15 | |
| Total Units/Hours | 60 | |
Plan of Study with Cal-GETC GE Pattern
This Plan of Study applies to the Cal-GETC General Education Pattern and illustrates one sequence of courses to meet the degree requirements in two years. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to design a plan of study which will best meet their specific educational needs.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Units/Hours | |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing (Double Counts Satisfies CalGETC Area 1A) | 4 |
| Select Course from Required Course List that Satisfies CalGETC GE Area 1B | 3 | |
| Select Course from Required Course List that Satisfies CalGETC GE Area 3A | 3 | |
| Select Course from Required Course List that Satisfies CalGETC GE Area 4A | 3 | |
| Select Course from Required Course List that Satisfies CalGETC GE Area 4B | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| COMM C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking (Double Counts Satisfies Cal-GETC Area 1C) | 3 |
| Select Course...CalGETC Area 2 | 3 | |
| Select Course...CalGETC Area 3B | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Select Course...CalGETC Area 5A or 5B | 3 | |
| Select Course...CalGETC Area 5C | 1 | |
| Select Course...CalGETC Area 6 | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select Course...CalGETC Area 5A or 5B | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course | 1 | |
| Units/Hours | 13 | |
| Total Units/Hours | 60 | |
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate efficient oral and written academic work knowledge of teaching preparation for K-12 teaching credential programs.
- Demonstrate the preparation to pursue further study in a related major at the baccalaureate level.
- Demonstrate the proficiency in the research, analytical, and communication skills necessary to present a critical analysis.