Associate Degree General Education Requirements

The Chancellor's Office for the California Community Colleges deems that the governing board of community colleges shall establish a general education program which symbolizes a successful attempt on the part of the college to lead students through patterns of learning experiences designed to develop certain capabilities and insights. Among these are the ability to think and to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; to use mathematics; to understand the modes of inquiry of the major disciplines; to be aware of other cultures and times; to achieve insight gained through experience in thinking about ethical problems; and to develop the capacity for self-understanding. In addition to these accomplishments, the student shall possess sufficient depth in one field of knowledge to contribute to lifetime interest.

General education is designed to introduce students to the variety of means through which people comprehend the modern world. It reflects the conviction of colleges that those who receive their degrees must possess in common certain basic principles, concepts and methodologies both unique to and shared by the various disciplines. College educated persons must be able to use this knowledge when evaluating and appreciating the physical environment, the culture and the society in which they live.

Each candidate for the San Joaquin Delta College Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree shall:

  • Complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester units of general education coursework as indicated in categories I through VI below with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
  • Complete courses in satisfaction of Area I, Language and Rationality, with a grade of "C" or better in each course.
  • Complete a minimum of eighteen (18) semester units in a major or area of emphasis with a grade of "C" or better in each course.
  • Complete a minimum of sixty (60) degree applicable units with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

A course may be used to satisfy both a general education requirement and a major or area of emphasis requirement. Students planning to transfer should see a counselor for assistance in determining if the CSU-GE or IGETC general education pattern is more appropriate for their selected major.

Program Learning Outcomes

I. Language and Rationality

  1. English Composition

    Students will demonstrate clear and precise written expression and critical evaluation of communication in the English language.

  2. Mathematics

    Students will demonstrate the ability to use mathematical concepts and principles in real-world contexts.

  3. Oral Communication

    Students will demonstrate clear and precise oral expression and critical evaluation of communication in the English language.

II. Natural Sciences

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and the relationship between science and human activities.

III. Humanities

Students will recognize the ways in which people throughout the ages and in different cultures have responded to themselves and the world around them in artistic and cultural forms.

IV. American Institutions

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of American institutions and ideals, the Constitution, and the representative forms of government that exist at the national, state and local level.

V. Social and Behavioral Science

Students will demonstrate knowledge of the modes of inquiry and theories that are used to think critically about the ways people act and have acted in response to their societies.

VI. Awareness of Self and Society

Students will demonstrate individual competencies and personal responsibility through exploration and analysis of their role in society.

Area 1 - Language and Rationality

Complete 9 units with at least one course each from 1A-English Composition, 1B-Mathematics, and 1C-Oral Communication. Courses in this area must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

1A: English Communication

ENG 001A

1B: Mathematics

MATH 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 010, 012, 013, 017A, 020, 038A, 038B, 039, 086*, 92G, 92S

PSYCH 002

1C: Oral Communication

COM ST 001A

* This course satisfies the Language and Rationality Group 1B requirement in the General Education pattern for the Associate Degrees, but it is not appropriate for students planning to transfer to a four-year college. It will not satisfy the prerequisite for a higher level math course

Area 2 - Natural Sciences

Complete a minimum of 3 units.

AH SC 010

ANTHRO 002

ASTRO 001

BIOL 001, 002, 003, 010, 011, 012, 031, 032, 033

CHEM 001A, 001B, 003A, 003B, 010, 012A, 012B

FCS 006

GEOG 001

GEOL 001A, 001B, 005, 005A, 010, 015, 15A, 016, 16A

NR 002

PHSCI 001

PHYSC 002A, 004A, 010

PLANT 010, 014

Area 3 - Humanities

Complete a minimum of 3 units.

ANTHR 004/HUM 004

ART 001A, 001B, 001C, 002, 003, 004, 006, 007A, 012, 020A, 033A, 040A,064A

CHIN 001, 002, 003, 004

CIVIL 003/HUM 003

COM ST 002, 013

CUL ART 016

DANCE 035A, 037A

DRAMA 010, 016A, 016B

ENG 030, 035, 037, 038, 042A, 042B, 043C, 043D, 44D, 045, 046A, 046B, 047, 049A, 049C, 052, 055A, 055B, 055C,057

FASHION 008, 009, 010

FREN 001, 002, 003, 004, 005

GERM 001, 002, 003, 004

HIST 007

HORT 004

HUM 003/CIVIL 003, 004/ANTHRO 004

ID 008

ITAL 001, 002, 003, 004

JAPAN 001, 002, 003, 004

MUSIC 001, 002A, 002B, 004, 007, 008

PHILO 006, 045, 050

PHOTO 001A

RELGN 014A, 014B

SL 001, 002, 003, 004

SPAN 001, 002, 003, 003A, 004, 004A, 005, 006

Area 4 - American Institutions

Complete a minimum of 3 units.

HIST 017A^, 017B^, 027, 030A^, 030B^, 031^, 034^

POLSC 001, 004

Area 5 - Social and Behavioral Science

Complete a minimum of 3 units.

AGBUS 012

ANTHRO 001, 006, 010

BUS 026

CDEV 021, 026

ECON 001A, 001B, 013

GEOG 002, 003, 010

HIST 002A, 002B, 004A, 004B, 006A^, 006B^, 006C, 037

PETHEORY 041

POLSC 002, 003, 006

PSYCH, 001, 003, 004

SOCIO 001A, 020^

Area 6 - Awareness of Self and Society

Complete a minimum of 3 units

AJ 021

BIOL 030

PSYCH 030

BUS 008, 020

COM ST 003, 005, 007^, 008, 011^, 012

CS 011

EDUC 010

ENG 034

FCS 002, 003, 019, 023

GUID 008

H ED 001

HS 019/FCS 019

LIBRY 001, 002, 003, 010

MCOM 001, 004

PEACTIV 001D, 012A

PHILO 030, 040

POLSC 005

PSYCH 030/BIOL 030

SOCIO 001B, 005, 027, 033

^ Indicates Designated Ethnic Studies Course

Minimum Units Required: 24

NOTICE TO STUDENTS

Selection of courses from this list may be affected by one or more factors, including choice of major, university transfer requirements, or prerequisite or sequencing requirements. Failure to plan appropriately WILL adversely affect timely graduation and/or transfer. Students are encouraged to consult with a counselor to develop an individualized education plan. Counseling appointments may be scheduled online by selecting "Counseling" under "Student Resources" on the Delta College web site, or by calling the Guidance and Counseling Office.