History is the study of past human events and ideas that continue to inform the present. The study of primary sources (i.e. original documents and objects) fosters essential critical thinking, analytical, and interpretative skills for students. Multiple voices and conflicting interpretations of sources encourages a healthy skepticism of preconceived information and challenges students to ask essential questions, to explain historical causality, to pose new interpretations, and to conduct their own research using historical evidence. An understanding of the past, moreover, enables students to better understand their identity and to contribute to their society as more informed citizens.

The Associate of Arts Degree for Transfer in History focuses on a critical analysis of the past to understand how it has influenced our identities and shaped today’s societies. Students choosing this major will study a range of historical subjects including United States History, World History, and Western Civilization. In addition, students will learn how to identify historical significance, to analyze historical evidence, and to construct historical arguments based on primary and secondary sources. Completion of this major will provide students with a well-rounded understanding of History and equip them with the skill set of a historian. Students will be prepared to pursue a baccalaureate degree in History.

Program Level Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Describe the structure, pace, and causal agents of changing historical contexts. 
2. Employ interpretative skills to reach reasoned conclusions from historical evidence. 
3. Evaluate cultural, socio-political, and economic contexts through historical time. 

Potential careers students may enter upon completion are as follows:

• Lawyer
• Advertising Executive 
• Analyst 
• Archivist
• Broadcaster 
• Campaign Worker 
• Consultant
• Congressional Aide 
• Editor 
• Foreign Service Officer 
• Foundation Staffer 
• Information Specialist 
• Intelligence Agent 
• Journalist 
• Legal Assistant 
• Lobbyist
• Personnel Manager
• Public Relations Staffer
• Researcher
• Teacher

Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements

Associate Degrees for Transfer require students to meet the following requirements:

• Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
• Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
• Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
• Completion of Cal-GETC.

Students should consult a GWC counselor in order to select the best pathway to meet their educational goals. For students who intend to transfer, the choice of general education will be specific to both their major and transfer institution.

Course List Units

Course	Title	Units
Required Courses – Core
HIST G170	History Of The United States To 1876	3
HIST G175	History of the United States Since 1876	3
List A
Select one course from each of the following groups:		6
Group 1
HIST G161	World History 1	3
HIST G180	Western Civilization 1	3
Group 2
HIST G162	World History 2	3
HIST G185	Western Civilization 2	3
List B
Select one course from each of the following groups:		6
Any course from List A not already used
Group 1
HIST G161	World History 1 1	3
HIST G162	World History 2 1	3
HIST G120	Asian Civilizations	3
HIST G121	History of American Women	3
HIST G145	History of Africa	3
HIST G150	History of Latin America	3
HIST G155	Ethnic Groups of the United States: Their Histories	3
or ETHS G150	Ethnic Groups of the United States: Their Histories
Group 2
HIST G161	World History 1 1	3
HIST G162	World History 2 1	3
HIST G180	Western Civilization 1 1	3
HIST G185	Western Civilization 2 1	3
HIST G110	Economic History of The United States	3
HIST G140	California History	3
ART G105	Survey of Art from Prehistory through the Middle Ages	3
ART G106	Survey of Art from Renaissance to Contemporary	3
Major Total		18
GE Pattern (Cal-GETC)		34
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 transferable units)
Total Units		60

¹

If not used in List A.