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Associate Degree and General Education Philosophy

The philosophy and criteria for the associate degree and general education address the considerations referenced in Title 5, Sections 55061; Accreditation Standard II.A.12. These include, but are not limited to the following:
  1. The programs of the District are consistent with the institutional mission, purposes, demographic, and economics of its community.
  2. The philosophy and criteria regarding the associate degree reflects the policy of the Board of Governors that the associate degree symbolizes a successful attempt to lead students through patterns of learning experiences designed to develop certain capabilities and insight, including:
a. The ability to think and communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing;
b. Using mathematics;
c. Understanding the modes of inquiry of the major disciplines;
d. Being aware of other cultures and times;
e. Achieving insights gained through experience in thinking about ethical problems;
f. Developing the capacity for self-understanding.
3.  The philosophy and criteria regarding general education reflects the policy of the Board of Governors that general education should lead to better self-understanding, including:
a. General education is designed to introduce students to the variety of means through which people comprehend the modern world
b. General education introduces the content and methodology of the major areas of knowledge and provides an opportunity for students to develop intellectual skills, information technology facility, affective and creative capabilities, social attitudes, and an appreciation for cultural diversity.
The Curriculum and General Education Committee recommends to the Superintendent/President and the Board of Trustee courses which exemplify the District’s philosophy on the associate degree and general education.

General Education Student Learning Outcomes (GE SLOs)

GE SLOs are the knowledge, skills, and abilities a student is expected to demonstrate by the time of graduation from Taft College. The outcomes are obtained through a series of courses in general education designed with a common core of knowledge consistent with a liberal arts education for a literate citizen. Here are the general education learning outcomes by area for Taft College.

GE–English Composition
 
  1. Writes clearly and effectively at an associate degree (Freshman English) level upon graduation.
GE-Oral Communications & Analytical Thinking
 
  1. Demonstrates the ability to communicate knowledge, information, ideas, and feelings, and enhance the ability to evaluate, problem solve, and make decisions; information management and computer literacy.
GE-Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning
 
  1. Apply quantitative information to draw reasonable conclusions to real world situations and possess numerical literacy.
GE-Arts & Humanities
 
  1. Develop an awareness of ways in which people through the ages and in different cultures respond to the world around them through artistic and cultural creations. 
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of human diversity and tolerance for different perspectives, ideas, and values.
  3. Describe how through the arts, literature, philosophy, foreign languages, or religion reflect the historical, intellectual context and aesthetic tastes of various cultures using value judgments. 
GE-Social & Behavioral Science
 
  1. Analyze the influence of major social, cultural, economic, and political forces on human behavior and institutions using the major concepts, models, and concerns developed through the social sciences in contemporary as well as historical settings and in a variety of cultural contexts. 
  2. Apply research methodologies employed in social scientific inquiry.
  3. Demonstrate the principles, concepts, models of value systems, and ethics framework employed in social scientific inquiry.
GE-Natural Science
 
  1. Develop an understanding of the relationship between science and other human behaviors. 
  2. Demonstrate the scientific method. 
GE-Ethnic Studies
 
 

1. Effectively address significant issues from diverse perspectives.

 

2. Applies knowledge to implement sophisticated, appropriate, and workable solutions to address complex issues from a multidisciplinary perspective.

GE-Lifelong Learning (Local)
 
  1. Engage in citizenship skills; engage in college and community activities; knowledge of self; responsibility in groups settings, and work independently.
GE-American History & Ideals (Local)
 
  1. Applies a historical and political understanding of the U.S. Constitution using research methodologies to compose an argument that explains the rights and obligations of individual citizens, their historical significance, and how that may affect different groups. 

General Education Requirements for the Associate’s Degree

Students have three options in meeting the General Education requirements towards earning an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science at Taft College. Option One, complete the local general education pattern including the local competencies, or Option Two, complete the California State Universities (CSU) GE Breadth Pattern requirements (full certification), Option Three, complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) (full certification unless IGETC for STEM in restricted majors). Options depend on the student’s degree.

Option One
The local Taft College General Education pattern can be found below. (For students who DO NOT intend to transfer to a CSU or UC)

Option Two
The California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth) certification pattern can be found in the Transfer Planning section of the catalog. (For students who intend to transfer to a California State University)

Option Three
The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern required for all UC bound students can be found Transfer Planning section of the catalog. This pattern can also be used at CSU schools and many independent schools. This is a UC requirement only. For CSU schools, student still need to complete the U.S. History, Constitution and American Ideals requirements. See Transfer Planning section of the catalog for details. (For students who intend to transfer to a University of California)

Check with the major or your counselor as to which option for general education to follow.

Local General Education Pattern

General Education Requirements (27 units – one course from each category)

English Composition (3 units)

Complete a minimum of 3 semester units from the courses below

ENGL 1500Composition and Reading

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 1501Enhanced Composition and Reading

4.00 Credits(s)

Oral Communications and Analytical Thinking (3 units)

Complete a minimum of 3 semester units from the courses below

BUSN 1510Business Communication

3.00 Credits(s)

COMM 1507Small Group Communication

3.00 Credits(s)

COMM 1511Public Speaking

3.00 Credits(s)

PHIL 1520Critical Thinking

3.00 Credits(s)

Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (3 units)

Complete a minimum of 3 semester units from the courses below

MATH 1500Math for a Modern Society - A Liberal Arts Course

4.00 Credits(s)

MATH 1505Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Teachers - Number Systems

4.00 Credits(s)

MATH 1510College Algebra for Liberal Arts

4.00 Credits(s)

MATH 1520Finite Mathematics

3.00 Credits(s)

MATH 1530Plane Trigonometry

4.00 Credits(s)

MATH 1540Precalculus Mathematics

4.00 Credits(s)

MATH 2100Analytic Geometry and Calculus I

5.00 Credits(s)

MATH 2120Analytic Geometry and Calculus II

4.00 Credits(s)

PSYC 2200Elementary Statistics for the Behavioral and Social Sciences

4.00 Credits(s)

STAT 1510Elementary Statistics

5.00 Credits(s)

Arts and Humanities (3 units)

Complete a minimum of 3 semester units from the courses below

ART 1500Art Appreciation

3.00 Credits(s)

ART 1600Two-Dimensional Design

3.00 Credits(s)

ART 1610Three-Dimensional Design

3.00 Credits(s)

ART 1620Drawing and Composition

3.00 Credits(s)

ART 1640Painting

3.00 Credits(s)

ART 1800Introduction to Digital Art

3.00 Credits(s)

ART 1811Graphic Design

3.00 Credits(s)

ART 2010Introduction to Printmaking

3.00 Credits(s)

ARTH 1510Prehistoric to Renaissance Art History

3.00 Credits(s)

ARTH 1520Renaissance to Contemporary Art History

3.00 Credits(s)

ARTH 2030Survey of Asian Art

3.00 Credits(s)

ARTH 2040Survey of African, Oceanic, and Indigenous North American Art

3.00 Credits(s)

COMM 1510Introduction to Mass Communication

3.00 Credits(s)

DRAM 1510Introduction to Theatre

3.00 Credits(s)

DRAM 1535Elementary Acting

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 1600Critical Thinking, Literature, and Composition

4.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 1650Introduction to Literature

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 1700Introduction to Creative Writing

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 1725Creative Writing: Poetry

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 1750Creative Writing: Fiction

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 1775Creative Writing: Nonfiction

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 2100American Literature I

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 2150American Literature II

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 2600World Literature I

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 2650World Literature 2

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 2700British Literature 1

3.00 Credits(s)

ENGL 2750British Literature 2

3.00 Credits(s)

HUM 1500Introduction to the Humanities

3.00 Credits(s)

HUM 2010Introduction to Film Studies

3.00 Credits(s)

MUSC 1510Music Appreciation

3.00 Credits(s)

PHIL 1501Introduction to Philosophy

3.00 Credits(s)

PHIL 1531The World's Living Religions

3.00 Credits(s)

SPAN 1601Elementary Spanish I

4.00 Credits(s)

SPAN 1602Elementary Spanish II

4.00 Credits(s)

SPAN 2001Intermediate Spanish III

5.00 Credits(s)

SPAN 2002Intermediate Spanish IV

5.00 Credits(s)

SPAN 2500Latin American Culture

4.00 Credits(s)

Social and Behavioral Science (3 units)

Complete a minimum of 3 semester units from the courses below

BUSN 1500Introduction to Business

3.00 Credits(s)

COMM 1510Introduction to Mass Communication

3.00 Credits(s)

DS 1504Cultural Competency Towards Disabilities

3.00 Credits(s)

ECON 2120Principles of Economics - Micro

3.00 Credits(s)

ECON 2210Principles of Economics - Macro

3.00 Credits(s)

HIST 2202Western Civilization to 1600

3.00 Credits(s)

HIST 2204Western Civilization from 1600

3.00 Credits(s)

HIST 2210World Civilization to 1500

3.00 Credits(s)

HIST 2212World Civilization since 1500

3.00 Credits(s)

HIST 2216History of Latin America

3.00 Credits(s)

HIST 2230Women in American History from Indigenous America to the Present

3.00 Credits(s)

HIST 2231History of the United States to 1877

3.00 Credits(s)

HIST 2232History of the United States Since 1877

3.00 Credits(s)

HIST 2270California History

3.00 Credits(s)

POSC 1501Government

3.00 Credits(s)

PSYC 1500Introduction to Psychology

3.00 Credits(s)

PSYC 2003Child Growth and Development

3.00 Credits(s)

PSYC 2030Human Sexuality

3.00 Credits(s)

PSYC 2033Personal and Social Adjustment

3.00 Credits(s)

PSYC 2080Introduction to Lifespan Psychology

3.00 Credits(s)

RECR 1510Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Service

3.00 Credits(s)

SOC 1510Introduction to Sociology

3.00 Credits(s)

SOC 2038Gender Studies

3.00 Credits(s)

SOC 2110Introduction to Race and Ethnicity

3.00 Credits(s)

SOC 2120American Social Problems

3.00 Credits(s)

SOC 2141Sociology of Marriage

3.00 Credits(s)

COMM 1510: May be used to meet either Humanities or Social Science requirements.

HIST 2231, HIST 2232; POSC 1501: May be used to meet either Social Science or American History and Institutions requirements.

Natural Science (3 units)

Complete a minimum of 3 semester units from the courses below

ASTR 1511Introduction to Astronomy with Lab

4.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 1500Fundamentals of Biology

3.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 1510Fundamentals of Biology with Lab

4.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 1513Introduction to Environmental Studies with Lab

4.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 2201Introductory Biology - Cells

4.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 2202General Zoology

5.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 2203General Botany

4.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 2250Human Anatomy

5.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 2257Human Physiology with Lab

5.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 2258Human Anatomy & Physiology I

5.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 2259Human Anatomy & Physiology II

5.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 2260General Microbiology

5.00 Credits(s)

BIOL 2370Nutrition Science

3.00 Credits(s)

CHEM 1510Introductory College Chemistry

4.00 Credits(s)

CHEM 1520Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry

4.00 Credits(s)

CHEM 2211General Chemistry

5.00 Credits(s)

ESCI 1520Introduction to Earth Science Lecture and Laboratory

4.00 Credits(s)

GEOG 1510Physical Geography

3.00 Credits(s)

GEOL 1500Introduction to Geology

4.00 Credits(s)

GEOL 1501Historical Geology

4.00 Credits(s)

PHYS 2221General Physics (Calculus)

4.00 Credits(s)

PSCI 1520Introduction to Physical Science Lecture and Laboratory

4.00 Credits(s)

PSYC 2050Introduction to Biological Psychology

3.00 Credits(s)

Lifelong Learning (3 Units)

ECEF 1531The Child in Family/Community Relationships

3.00 Credits(s)

HLED 1510Principles of Healthful Living

3.00 Credits(s)

LIBR 1548Introduction to Library Research

1.00 Credits(s)

PSYC 1500Introduction to Psychology

3.00 Credits(s)

PSYC 2030Human Sexuality

3.00 Credits(s)

PSYC 2033Personal and Social Adjustment

3.00 Credits(s)

PSYC 2080Introduction to Lifespan Psychology

3.00 Credits(s)

RECR 1510Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Service

3.00 Credits(s)

SOC 2141Sociology of Marriage, Family and Relationships

3.00 Credits(s)

STSU 1500Strategies for College and Life Management

3.00 Credits(s)

American History and Ideals (3 units)

Complete a minimum of 3 semester units from the courses below
HIST 2231History of the United States to 1877

3.00 Credits(s)

HIST 2232History of the United States Since 1877

3.00 Credits(s)

POSC 1501Government

3.00 Credits(s)

Ethnic Studies (3 units)

Complete a minimum of 3 semester units from the courses below
ETHN 1510Introduction to Ethnic Studies

3.00 Credits(s)