Los Rios AA/AS General Education Criteria

Taken from Los Rios Community College District
Board Policy and Administrative Regulation Manual

2.3.3 Students receiving an Associate Degree must satisfactorily complete 21 units in general education selected from the following areas as indicated:

2.3.3.1 Natural Sciences (3 units minimum)

Courses in the natural sciences are those which focus on the observation and collection of empirical data and the classification of the facts and principles which form the foundation of the physical universe and its living forms. To satisfy the general education requirement in natural sciences, a course should help the student develop an appreciation and understanding of the methods of science, and encourage an understanding of the relationships between science and other human activities. This category includes introductory of integrative courses in such areas as astronomy, biology, chemistry, general physical science, geology, and physics.

2.3.3.2 Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units minimum)

Courses in the social and behavioral sciences are those which focus on people as members of society. To satisfy the general education requirement in social and behavioral sciences, a course should help the student develop an awareness of the method of inquiry used by the social and behavioral sciences. It should stimulate critical thinking about the ways people act and have acted in response to their societies and should promote appreciation of how societies and social subgroups operate. This category includes introductory of integrative survey courses in such areas as anthropology, economics, history, political science, psychology, sociology and related disciplines, exclusive of those which fulfill the American Institutions requirement.

2.3.3.3 American Institutions Requirement (3 units minimum)

Courses in American Institutions are those which focus on the historical development of American institutions and ideals, the operation of representative democratic government under the Constitution of the United States, and the principles of state and local government established under the Constitution of this State. To satisfy the general education requirement in American Institutions, a course should help the student develop an appreciation and understanding of the basic institutions, ideals, knowledge, and skills necessary for intelligent and loyal citizenship. It should stimulate critical thinking, problem solving, and literacy skills in regard to American historical, political, governmental, economic, social, and intellectual issues as they relate to both domestic and foreign affairs. This category includes introductory or integrative survey courses in history and political science which qualify under the guidelines of either "a" or "b" below.

(a) Any course which addresses the historical development of American Institutions and ideals, inclusive of the following:

1. Significant events occurring in the entire area now included in the United States of America, including the relationships of regions within that area and with external regions and powers as appropriate to the understanding of those events within the United States during the period under study.

2. The role of major ethnic and social groups in such events and the contexts in which the events have occurred.

3. The events presented within a framework which illustrates the continuity of the American experience and its derivation from other cultures including consideration of three or more of the following: politics, economics, social movements, and geography.

(b) Any course which addresses the U.S. Constitution, representative democratic government operation, and the process of California State and local government, inclusive of the following:

1. The political philosophies of the framers of the Constitution and the nature and operation of United States political institutions and processes under that Constitution as amended and interpreted.

2. The rights and obligations of citizens in the political system established under the Constitution.

3. The Constitution of the State of California within the framework of evolution of Federal-State relations and the nature and processes of State and local government under that Constitution.

4. Contemporary relationships of State and local government with the Federal government, the resolution of conflicts and the establishment of cooperative processes under the constitutions of both the State and nation, and the political processes involved.

2.3.3.4 Humanities (3 units minimum)

Courses in the humanities are those which study the cultural activities and artistic expressions of human beings. To satisfy the general education requirement in the humanities, a course should help the student develop an awareness of 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 creation and help the student develop an aesthetic understanding and an ability to make value judgments. This category includes introductory or integrative courses in such areas as the arts, foreign languages, literature, philosophy and religion.

2.3.3.5 Languages and Rationality (6 units: 3 units each from (a) and (b)

Courses in language and rationality are those which use and examine principles and guidelines of clear and logical thinking and communication. Courses in this category should build upon rather than remediate verbal and quantitative skills.

(a) English Composition. Courses fulfilling the written composition requirement should include both expository and argumentative writing.

(b) Communication and Analytical Thinking. Courses fulfilling the communication and analytical thinking requirement include oral communication, mathematics, logic, statistics, computer language and programming, and related disciplines.

2.3.3.6 Living Skills (3 units minimum)

One physical education activity course must be taken in this area and a minimum of 2 units from the other courses included in this category.

Courses in this area may be selected from a number of different disciplines that help students to acquire skills and knowledge to understand themselves as whole persons (integral to their environment). This category includes the study of courses that develop and maintain personal, social, physical and emotional well-being. It is the intent that this area include such courses as health education, human sexuality, marriage and family, nutrition, and personal adjustment.

2.3.3.6.1 Students with medical excuses on file may be exempted from the physical activity course requirement.

Students not completing a physical activity course on the basis of this exemption shall be required to complete a minimum of 3 units in other courses in the Living Skills area.

2.3.4 While a course might satisfy more than one general education requirement, it may not be counted more than once for these purposes. Courses which are a part of the major requirement and meet the intent of these general education guidelines may be used to satisfy both requirements.

2.3.5 Ethnic studies will be offered in at least one of the required general education areas (2.3.3.1 - 2.3.3.5).