Sierra College Philosophy for General Education: General education is designed to introduce students to the variety of means through which people comprehend the modern world. General education introduces the content and methodology of the major areas of knowledge: the humanities and fine arts, the natural sciences and the social sciences. The general education program provides the opportunity for students to develop the intellectual skills, information technology facility, affective and creative capabilities, social attitudes and appreciation for cultural diversity that will make them effective learners and citizens.
Note: Students who possess a baccalaureate or higher degree completed at a college or university accredited through a CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) recognized Regional Accrediting Agency will have satisfied Sierra College general education and competency requirements for the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. International coursework from non-United States regionally accredited institutions cannot be used to waive Sierra College General Education.
I. General Education Breadth Requirements
Area 1 - English Communication
Select two courses (minimum 6 semester units) - one from Group 1A and one from Group 1B or Group 1C:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1A - English Composition | ||
| Academic Reading and Writing | ||
| Group 1B - Critical thinking | ||
| Argumentation and Rhetorical Criticism | ||
| Critical Thinking and Writing about Literature | ||
| Critical Thinking and Writing | ||
| Introduction to Critical Thinking | ||
| Introduction to Symbolic Logic | ||
| Group 1C - Oral Communication | ||
| Business Communications | ||
| Introduction to Oral Communication | ||
| Introduction to Public Speaking | ||
| Small Group Communication | ||
| Communication Foundations | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Acting I | ||
| Acting II | ||
Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
Select one course (minimum 3 semester units) from the following:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Finance | ||
| Problem Solving | ||
| Data Science for All | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Discrete Mathematics | ||
| Calculus for Social and Life Sciences | ||
| Calculus for Social and Life Sciences | ||
| Concepts of Mathematics | ||
| The Nature of Mathematics | ||
| Mathematical Concepts for Elementary School Teachers | ||
| Modern Business Mathematics | ||
| Trigonometry | ||
| Pre-Calculus Mathematics | ||
| Analytical Geometry and Calculus I | ||
| Analytical Geometry and Calculus II | ||
| Analytical Geometry and Calculus III | ||
| Differential Equations and Linear Algebra | ||
| Business Calculus | ||
| Introduction to Psychological Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistics in Sociology | ||
| Introduction to Statistics |
Area 3 - Arts and Humanities
Select one course (Minimum 3 semester units) from Arts or Humanities:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Arts | ||
| History of Graphic Design | ||
| Sketching for Design | ||
| Graphic Design I: Principles and Process | ||
| History of Filmmaking | ||
| Documentary Filmmaking | ||
| Two-Dimensional Design Foundations | ||
| Three-Dimensional Design Foundations | ||
| Drawing I | ||
| Drawing II | ||
| Figure Drawing I | ||
| Color Theory | ||
| Oil Painting I | ||
| Watercolor Painting I | ||
| Acrylic Painting I | ||
| Sculpture I | ||
| Ceramic Sculpture/Handbuilding | ||
| Ceramics I | ||
| Ceramics II | ||
| Figure Sculpture | ||
| Raku Ceramics | ||
| Metal Arts | ||
| Advanced Metal Arts | ||
| Fiber Arts I | ||
| Art Metal Casting | ||
| Collage and Assemblage | ||
| Printmaking I | ||
| Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing | ||
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Survey of Western Art I: Prehistory through the Middle Ages | ||
| Survey of Western Art II: Renaissance Traditions | ||
| Survey of Western Art III: Modern through Contemporary | ||
| History of Women in Art | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| History of the Arts of Africa, the Americas, and Oceania | ||
| History of Latinx and Chicanx Art | ||
| History of Asian Art | ||
| History of Islamic Art | ||
| Performance of Diverse Literatures | ||
| Creative Writing (Non-Fiction) | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Creative Writing (Poetry) | ||
| Creative Writing (Fiction) | ||
| Fashion History | ||
| Introduction to Humanities I | ||
| Introduction to Humanities II | ||
| Introduction to Asian Humanities | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Music Theory I | ||
| Music Theory II | ||
| Music Theory III | ||
| Music Theory IV | ||
| Music Fundamentals | ||
| Introduction and History of Jazz | ||
| Survey of Music History and Literature to 1750 | ||
| Survey of Music History and Literature from 1750 to Present | ||
| Introduction to Music: History of Rock and Roll | ||
| Introduction to Music Cultures of the World | ||
| Beginning Voice | ||
| Intermediate Voice | ||
| Advanced Voice I | ||
| Advanced Voice II | ||
| Beginning Piano I | ||
| Beginning Piano II | ||
| Intermediate Piano I | ||
| Intermediate Piano II | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Vocal Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Beginning Photography | ||
| Documentary Photography | ||
| Documentary Filmmaking | ||
| Acting I | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| Costume History | ||
| Acting for Musical Theatre | ||
| Script Analysis | ||
| Humanities | ||
| Visual Communication | ||
| Communication Theory, Methods, and Practice | ||
| Visual Communication | ||
| Multimedia Reporting | ||
| American Sign Language I | ||
| American Sign Language II | ||
| American Sign Language III | ||
| American Sign Language IV | ||
| Critical Thinking and Writing about Literature | ||
| Introduction to LGBTIQ Literature | ||
| Introduction to Shakespeare and Popular Culture | ||
| Introduction to Literary Criticism and Critical Concepts | ||
| Literature by Women | ||
| Introduction to Drama as Literature | ||
| American Literature - Beginnings through Civil War | ||
| American Literature - Civil War to the Present | ||
| Introduction to Poetry | ||
| Introduction to Shakespeare (The Drama) | ||
| Introduction to the Novel | ||
| Introduction to the Short Story | ||
| American Film Masterpieces | ||
| International Film Masterpieces | ||
| The Filmed Novel | ||
| The Documentary Film | ||
| Children's Literature | ||
| Young Adult Literature | ||
| English Literature | ||
| English Literature | ||
| World Literature | ||
| World Literature | ||
| Literature of Science Fiction | ||
| Advanced Reading and Writing | ||
| Introduction to Chicana/o Studies | ||
| Ethnic Images in Film | ||
| Elementary French - Level I | ||
| Elementary French - Level II | ||
| Intermediate French - Level I | ||
| Intermediate French - Level II | ||
| Elementary German - Level I | ||
| Elementary German - Level II | ||
| Western Civilization to 1715 | ||
| Western Civilization since 1715 | ||
| History of the United States to 1877 | ||
| History of the United States since 1865 | ||
| The African American Experience in American History to 1877 | ||
| The African American Experience in American History since 1877 | ||
| History of Traditional East Asia | ||
| History of Modern East Asia | ||
| California History | ||
| Contemporary United States History | ||
| Chicano/Mexican American History | ||
| Russian History - 10th Century to Present | ||
| Native American History | ||
| Women in World History | ||
| Women in American History | ||
| World History to 1500 | ||
| World History since 1500 | ||
| Children's Literature | ||
| Classical Roots of the Contemporary Western World | ||
| Introduction to Women, Gender and Religion | ||
| World Religions | ||
| Introduction to Mythology | ||
| Introduction to Atheism | ||
| Introduction to the Hebrew Bible | ||
| Introduction to the New Testament | ||
| Elementary Italian - Level I | ||
| Elementary Italian - Level II | ||
| Queer (LGBTIQ) Film History | ||
| Introduction to Music Cultures of the World | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics | ||
| Introduction to Critical Thinking | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality | ||
| Philosophy of Religion | ||
| Introduction to Asian Philosophy | ||
| History of Ancient Greek Philosophy | ||
| History of Modern Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy of Women in Western Cultures | ||
| Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Ethics | ||
| Introduction to the Philosophy of Science | ||
| Elementary Spanish - Level I | ||
| Elementary Spanish - Level II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish - Level I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish - Level II | ||
| Intermediate Conversational Spanish | ||
| Script Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Women, Gender and Religion | ||
Area 4 - Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select one course (minimum 3 semester units) from Social or Behavioral Sciences:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Administration of Justice | ||
| Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture | ||
| Food, Society and the Environment | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural Business and Economics | ||
| History of Women in Art | ||
| History of Latinx and Chicanx Art | ||
| Introduction to Business | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| Introduction to African American Studies | ||
| Introduction to Chicana/o Studies | ||
| Federal Indian Law and Policy | ||
| Ethnic Images in Film | ||
| Introduction to Native American Studies | ||
| Clothing and Culture | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Geography of California | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Western Civilization to 1715 | ||
| Western Civilization since 1715 | ||
| History of the United States to 1877 | ||
| History of the United States since 1865 | ||
| The African American Experience in American History to 1877 | ||
| The African American Experience in American History since 1877 | ||
| History of Traditional East Asia | ||
| History of Modern East Asia | ||
| California History | ||
| Contemporary United States History | ||
| American Military History | ||
| Chicano/Mexican American History | ||
| Russian History - 10th Century to Present | ||
| Native American History | ||
| Women in World History | ||
| Women in American History | ||
| The American West | ||
| World History to 1500 | ||
| World History since 1500 | ||
| Introduction to Women, Gender and Religion | ||
| Psychology of Sport | ||
| Introduction to LGBT Studies/Queer Theory | ||
| Study of Happiness and Well-Being | ||
| American Government and Politics | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Government | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Russian and East European Political Systems | ||
| California Politics and Government | ||
| Politics of the Developing World | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Politics of the Middle East | ||
| Terrorism | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory | ||
| Introduction to Political Science Research Methods | ||
| Women and Politics in a Global Society | ||
| Cultural Psychology | ||
| Feminism and Social Action | ||
| Sociology of Gender | ||
| Introduction to Women's Studies | ||
| Introduction to LGBT Studies/Queer Theory | ||
| Introduction to Women, Gender and Religion | ||
| Feminism and Social Action | ||
| Introduction to Disability Studies | ||
| Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Native Peoples of North America | ||
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology | ||
| Native Peoples of California | ||
| Magic, Witchcraft, Ritual, Myth and Religion | ||
| Global Problems | ||
| Anthropology of Sex, Gender and Sexuality | ||
| Ethical Studies in Business | ||
| Personal Finance | ||
| Small Group Communication | ||
| Communication Foundations | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Communication Theory, Methods, and Practice | ||
| Mass Communication: Media and Society | ||
| Newswriting and Reporting Techniques | ||
| Multimedia Reporting | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Sustainability | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies | ||
| Geography of California | ||
| Human Development Through the Lifespan | ||
| Child, Family, and Community | ||
| Child Growth and Development | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships and Family | ||
| The Family | ||
| Teaching in a Diverse Society | ||
| Introduction to Asian Humanities | ||
| Principles of Nutrition | ||
| Sports Nutrition | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Research Methods in Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Adjustment | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Death and Dying | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships and Family | ||
| Psychology of Women | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Alcohol, Drugs and Society | ||
| Psychology and Film | ||
| Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology | ||
Area 5 - Natural Sciences
Select one course or Course Combination (minimum 3 semester units) from Life or Physical Sciences:
(To earn an AS degree, an approved laboratory course/combination must be completed. Laboratory courses and lecture/laboratory courses are indicated by an asterisk (*).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Life Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Plant Science (*) | ||
| Food, Society and the Environment | ||
| Introduction to Animal Science (*) | ||
| Biological Anthropology | ||
| Biological Anthropology and Biological Anthropology Laboratory (*) | ||
| Introduction to Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Life in the Universe | ||
| General Biology (*) | ||
| Botany (*) | ||
| General Zoology (*) | ||
| Microbiology (*) | ||
| Human Anatomy (*) | ||
| Human Physiology (*) | ||
| Introduction to Biology | ||
| Concepts of Biology (*) | ||
| Natural History, Ecology and Conservation (*) | ||
| Marine Biology (*) | ||
| Introduction to Plant Science (*) | ||
| Wildland Trees and Shrubs (Dendrology) (*) | ||
| Introduction to Ornithology | ||
| Introduction to Zoology (*) | ||
| Introduction to Entomology | ||
| Introduction to Mammalogy | ||
| General Human Anatomy and Physiology (*) | ||
| Biology: A Human Perspective | ||
| Biology: A Human Perspective and Biology: A Human Perspective Laboratory (*) | ||
| Organismal Biology (*) | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Sustainability | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Sustainability and Introduction to Environmental Science Laboratory (*) | ||
| The Sierra Nevada | ||
| Energy, Environment, and Climate | ||
| California Water (*) | ||
| Conservation of Natural Resources | ||
| Natural History, Ecology and Conservation (*) | ||
| Introduction to Biopsychology | ||
| Introduction to Biopsychology and Biopsychology Laboratory (*) | ||
| Physical Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Soil Science (*) | ||
| Introduction to Planetary Systems | ||
| Introduction to Planetary Systems and Observational Astronomy (*) | ||
| Introduction to Planetary Systems and Astrophotography and Imaging (*) | ||
| Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe | ||
| Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe and Observational Astronomy (*) | ||
| Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe and Astrophotography and Imaging (*) | ||
| Life in the Universe | ||
| Elementary Astronomy | ||
| Elementary Astronomy and Observational Astronomy (*) | ||
| Elementary Astronomy and Astrophotography and Imaging (*) | ||
| Frontiers in Astronomy | ||
| General Chemistry I (*) | ||
| General Chemistry II (*) | ||
| Introduction to Chemistry I (*) | ||
| Introduction to Chemistry II (*) | ||
| General Chemistry I - Part 1 (*) | ||
| General Chemistry I - Part 2 (*) | ||
| Survey of Chemistry and Physics (*) | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory (*) | ||
| California Geology | ||
| Historical Geology | ||
| Historical Geology and Historical Geology Laboratory (*) | ||
| Energy, Environment, and Climate | ||
| Introduction to Earth Science | ||
| Introduction to Earth Science and Introduction to Earth Science Laboratory (*) | ||
| Introduction to Oceanography | ||
| Introduction to Oceanography and Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory (*) | ||
| Geology of National Parks and Monuments | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Sustainability | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Sustainability and Introduction to Environmental Science Laboratory (*) | ||
| The Sierra Nevada | ||
| Energy, Environment, and Climate | ||
| California Water | ||
| Conservation of Natural Resources | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Physical Geography and Physical Geography Laboratory (*) | ||
| Weather and Climate | ||
| Analytical Geometry and Calculus I | ||
| The Science of Electronics | ||
| Basic Concepts in Physics | ||
| Basic Concepts in Physics and Basic Concepts in Physics Laboratory (*) | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory (*) | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| General Physics II and General Physics II Laboratory (*) | ||
| Survey of Chemistry and Physics (*) | ||
| Principles of Physics: Mechanics | ||
| Principles of Physics: Mechanics and Principles of Physics Laboratory: Mechanics (*) | ||
| Principles of Physics: Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Principles of Physics: Electricity and Magnetism and Principles of Physics Laboratory: Electricity and Magnetism (*) | ||
| Principles of Physics: Heat, Waves and Modern Physics | ||
| Principles of Physics: Heat, Waves and Modern Physics and Principles of Physics Laboratory: Heat, Waves and Modern Physics (*) | ||
Area 6 - Ethnic Studies
Select one course (minimum 3 semester units) from the following:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| Introduction to African American Studies | ||
| Introduction to Chicana/o Studies | ||
| Federal Indian Law and Policy | ||
| Ethnic Images in Film | ||
| Introduction to Native American Studies |
A) To earn an AA or AS at Sierra College, students must:
- Complete a minimum of 18 semester (27 quarter) units of focused study in a major;
- Complete a minimum of 21 semester (28-31.5 quarter) units of General Education in the areas described above;
- Complete a total of 60 units, including major, general education, and elective courses;
- Complete at least 12 units at Sierra College ;
- Complete courses with a grade of “C” or better or a grade of “P” if the course is taken on a “Pass/No Pass” basis;
- Complete the requirements of the degree with a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0.
B) Courses may meet multiple requirements, including General Education. However, one course may not be counted in more than one General Education area.
C) Students who possess a baccalaureate or higher degree completed at a college or university accredited through a CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) recognized Regional Accrediting Agency will have satisfied Sierra College general education and competency requirements for the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. International coursework from non-United States regionally accredited institutions cannot be used to waive Sierra College General Education.
D) Students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution should speak to a Counselor, as the AA/AS General Education option may not be the best option. Please see California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) for transfer general education requirements.
E) Students who wish to earn an AA-T or AS-T must complete California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).
F) All students are strongly advised to speak with a counselor choosing a major, general education, or transfer pathway.
