Social & Behavioral Sciences

Overview & Programs

The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers a variety of contemporary course offerings designed to increase and strengthen students’ interest, knowledge, and appreciation of the social and behavioral sciences. The School’s curriculum includes courses in Anthropology, Child Development Family Studies, Elementary Education, Ethnic Studies, History, Human Services & Social Work, Political Science, Psychology, Social Justice Studies, and Sociology.

The faculty and staff  are dedicated to providing students with quality programs and services designed to provide them with a stimulating, productive, and enjoyable educational experience.

Meet The Administrative Staff

Administration
Name
Title
Email
Ext.
Room
Lamba, Sandy
Dean of Social & Behavioral Science
7142
730
Gema Leon
Administrative Assistant IV
5525
729

Disciplines in
Social & Behavioral Science

Behavioral Science

Anthropology

The Anthropology program emphasizes the development and diversity of, and adaptations in, human behavior and biology. Students in this program may study a variety of anthropological subfields, including Physical, Cultural, and Archaeology. In addition to acting as a path for successful transfer to an institution offering a baccalaureate degree in Anthropology, the Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer Degree provides students pursuing any baccalaureate degree with basic skills in critical analysis, application of the scientific method, and cross-cultural understanding.

Human Services & Social Work

The Human Services & Social Work major is designed to equip students with the basic knowledge and skills necessary for a variety of social service oriented jobs. The course work provides training in entry level skills for employment in mental health, social welfare, developmental services, corrections, alcohol and drug treatment, and child, adult, dependent adult and elder family services. Human Services & Social Work graduates gain specific knowledge and skills to create alliances and facilitate change, run groups, and case manage a diverse population. Students learn in a supportive, practice-oriented environment. Team work, small group activities, take-home assignments and agency guest speakers are an integral part of the education. Classes are offered in the mornings, afternoons or evenings. Gainful Employment Information: Human Services

Psychology

The psychology program provides academic and practical instruction in a variety of basic psychological concepts, theories, terminology, and research methods, that helps promote students’ life skills, personal growth, and interpersonal effectiveness. This major has important implications for many recognized vocational and professional occupations.

Psychology for Transfer

The psychology program provides academic instruction in basic psychological concepts, theories, terminology, and research methods, and promotes life skills, personal growth, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Social Justice & Ethnic Studies

This major is an interdisciplinary program which provides an opportunity for students to pursue organized studies of minority groups in American Society and to foster and expand general understanding of these groups. The courses allow for a wide latitude of study to meet a variety of interests with courses which fulfill competence in and an understanding of the unique contributions of American ethnic groups; interpretation of American ethnic culture as manifested in its history, its literature, and its social, economic, political, and philosophical development. (The course descriptions may be found under the appropriate disciplines.)

Sociology

Sociology is the study of society and human behavior. Students who obtain a degree in Sociology gain a fundamental understanding of culture, socialization, inequality, racial and ethnic relations, sex roles, deviance, social issues and problems, and the distribution of political and economic power. Sociology students prepare themselves for a job in the field of business, health, education, criminal justice, government/law, or social service, and a variety of other areas.

Sociology for Transfer

Sociology is the study of society and human behavior. Students who obtain a degree in Sociology gain a fundamental understanding of culture, socialization, inequality, racial and ethnic relations, sex roles, deviance, social issues and problems, and the distribution of political and economic power. Sociology students prepare themselves for a job in the field of business, health, education, criminal justice, government/law, or social service, and a variety of other areas.

Child Development and Family Studies

Early Childhood Education

This program offers comprehensive study of child development, strategies for child guidance, techniques for effective classroom interaction with emphasis on the child in the context of family and culture, and curriculum that enhances the development of the whole child. The Child Development and Family Studies Department is a participant in the Curriculum Alignment Project (CAP). A key effort of the Curriculum Alignment Project is to facilitate the transfer of the courses below as an integrated course of study promoting access to ongoing education and degree attainment. These courses will ease transfer between many California State Universities. The CAP courses include: CDFS 038, CDFS 050, CDFS 053, CDFS 054 (or NUTR 054), CDFS 062, CDFS 063, CDFS 064, and CDFS 065. Gainful Employment Information: Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education for Transfer

Successful completion of this major prepares students to work in the field of early childhood education. Students will learn about child development, health and safety, observation and assessment, and techniques for effective classroom teaching including child guidance, curriculum development, and educating in a culturally respectful manner. One semester of practicum is required. This program aligns with the statewide Early Childhood Education Curriculum Alignment Project (CAP) which is designed to aid in student transfer. The CAP courses include: CDFS 038, CDFS 050, CDFS 053, CDFS 054 (or NUTR 054), CDFS 062, CDFS 063, CDFS 064, and CDFS 065.

Elementary Teacher Education

This program provides a strong liberal studies foundation for students seeking to teach in an elementary school. The coursework is designed to meet the introductory content area subject matter requirements for teaching at the elementary school level. The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer is designed specifically for transfer, providing the breadth and depth of coursework necessary for students who seek to study liberal arts and education coursework at the CSU in preparation for a career in elementary school teaching. Students completing the AA-T are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree. Students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

Social Science

History

This program emphasizes the development of various societies through a chronological study of the major social, political, economic, and cultural forces which have shaped these societies. Students in this program may study a variety of historical fields including United States, World, Western Civilization, Native-American, Philippine, African-American, Mexican and Mexican-American, California and Women’s History.

Associate in Arts in History for Transfer

This program emphasizes the development of various societies through a chronological study of the major social, political, economic, and cultural forces which have shaped these societies. Students in this program may study a variety of historical fields, including United States, World, Western Civilization, African-American, Mexican-American, California and Women’s History.

Political Science

This program examines the theory and practice of government and the powerful personalities that affect governmental decisions. This interplay of individual citizens, public leaders, elections, and world events make political inquiry relevant today. The program provides a broad base for the analysis of how government resolves social conflict within the United States and around the world.