History Associate of Arts

The curriculum in the History program is designed to provide the transfer student with an understanding of the diversity of the human experience and the historical processes that have shaped individuals and communities throughout the world. It fosters critical thinking and the opportunity to achieve an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in History by providing the necessary breadth in the field, an introduction to the methods used in the study of history, and the ability to complete both major preparatory coursework along with courses required for general education. While a baccalaureate or higher degree is recommended for those considering this major, earning an Associate degree may support entry-level positions such as: Museum and Historical Organizations, Cultural Resources Centers, or Legislative Support Staff Worker.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete this program will be able to:

Understand the diversity of the human experience as influenced by geographical location, race, ethnicity, cultural traditions, gender and class.
Analyze historical processes that shape individuals and communities, drawing on detailed knowledge about the history of the area under study.
Think critically about the varieties of experience found in the historical record of the United States, exploring diversity as a critical component of history.
Distinguish between primary and secondary sources, and understand how each is used to make historical arguments.
Assess, use, and synthesize different kinds of evidence from a variety of historical sources to make a coherent argument about the past.
Effectively conduct research and write a coherent historical essay or research paper that articulates a clear argument, effectively interprets multiple forms of evidence, identifies arguments in secondary historical texts, and uses appropriate citations.
Explain and analyze a key historical event or process in the area and during the period under study.
Understand the difference between opinions and substantiated scholarly claims.

Required Courses

HIST 4 WORLD HISTORY TO 1500 3 Units
HIST 5 WORLD HISTORY SINCE 1500 3 Units
HIST 16 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1876 3 Units
HIST 17 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1876 3 Units
Select from Restricted Electives 6 Units

Total Units for the Major: 18

Restricted Electives

HIST 11 PERSPECTIVES OF PEACE STUDIES 3 Units
HIST 12 REVOLUTIONS AND REVOLTS 3 Units
HIST 15 THE VIETNAM WAR 3 Units
HIST 19 UNITED STATES SINCE 1945 3 Units
HIST 20 ETHNIC CULTURES OF THE UNITED STATES 3 Units
HIST 21 WOMEN IN UNITED STATES HISTORY - A MULTICULTURAL PERSPECTIVE 3 Units
HIST 27 LATIN AMERICA - PRE-EUROPEAN TO INDEPENDENT NATIONHOOD 3 Units
HIST 28 LATIN AMERICA - 1800 TO THE PRESENT 3 Units
HIST 29 FILM AND HISTORY IN LATIN AMERICA 3 Units
HIST 30 HISTORY OF MEXICO 3 Units
HIST 32 CALIFORNIA HISTORY 3 Units
HIST 33 CHICANO - LATINO AMERICAN HISTORY 3 Units
HIST 62 EUROPEAN HISTORY TO 1650 3 Units
HIST 63 EUROPEAN HISTORY SINCE 1650 3 Units
HIST 70 HISTORY OF ASIA TO 1800 3 Units
HIST 71 HISTORY OF ASIA SINCE 1800 3 Units
HIST 72 HISTORY OF CHINA 3 Units
HIST 74 HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST TO 1800 3 Units
HIST 75 HISTORY OF THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST 3 Units
HIST 80 INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY AFRICA 3 Units
HIST 81 AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY 3 Units
ES 1 MULTICULTURAL EXPERIENCES IN THE UNITED STATES 3 Units
ES 3 INTRODUCTION TO CHICANA(O)AND LATINA(O) CULTURES 3 Units
Suggested coursework not required for the major: ECON 20; SOC 20; PS 4, 11, 80.
* Course has a prerequisite, corequisite, limitation, or recommended preparation, see course description.

Associate of Arts Degree

Complete a minimum of 60 units including the total number of units described above and the General Education requirements with an overall GPA of 2.0 to qualify for the Associate of Arts degree. A minimum of 12 units must be completed at Saddleback College.

General Education Requirements for Associate Degrees

Refer to the Graduation Requirements or to the CSU-GE and IGETC patterns in this catalog for specific courses which meet general education requirements. Refer to ASSIST.org and to the transfer institution’s catalog for transfer requirements.