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Liberal Arts & Sciences: Language Arts and Communication Associate of Arts (AA)

About the Program

The Liberal Arts and Sciences: Language Arts and Communication AA courses emphasize the content of communication, as well as the form and should provide an understanding of the psychological basis and social significance of communication. Students will be able to assess communication as the process of human symbolic interaction. Students will also develop skills in the areas of reasoning and advocacy, organization, reading and listening effectively. Students will be able to integrate important concepts of critical thinking as related to the development of analytical and critical evaluation, being able to reason inductively and deductively, enabling them to make important decisions regarding their own lives and society at large.

Program Outcomes

  • Upon completion of the AA in Liberal Arts & Sciences: Language Arts and Communication, students are able to apply critical thinking principles to the evaluation of human symbolic interaction.
  • Upon completion of the AA in Liberal Arts & Sciences: Language Arts and Communication, students are able to choose and apply appropriate communication strategies based on consideration of audience and purpose.
  • Upon completion of the AA in Liberal Arts & Sciences: Language Arts and Communication, students are able to recognize and appreciate the value of a multicultural world and of diversity in its many forms.

Required Core: Select at least 18 Units from Below with at least 3 Units from 2 Disciplines (18-22 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
ASL 1A American Sign Language I 3
ASL 1B American Sign Language II 3
ASL 2A American Sign Language III 3
ASL 2B American Sign Language IV 3
CMST 1 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
CMST 2 Oral Interpretation of Literature 3
CMST 3 Group Communication 3
CMST 4 Introduction to Communication Studies 3
CMST 5 Readers Theater 3
CMST 10 Interpersonal Communication 3
CMST 11 Intercultural Communication 3
CMST 46 Argumentation and Debate 3
CMST 48 Activities in Forensics 1 - 4
ENG 1A Critical Reading and Composition 3
ENG 1AEX Critical Reading and Composition Expanded 4
ENG 4 Critical Thinking and Writing about Literature 3
ENG 7 Critical Thinking and Writing Across Disciplines 3
ENG 11 Introduction to Creative Writing 3
ENG 12A Craft of Writing Fiction 3
ENG 12B Craft of Writing Fiction: Intermediate 3
ENG 12C Craft of Writing Fiction: Advanced 3
ENG 13A The Craft of Writing Poetry: Beginning 3
ENG 13B The Craft of Writing Poetry: Intermediate 3
ENG 19A Journal of Arts, Literature, and Academic Writing A 3
ENG 19B Journal of Arts, Literature, and Academic Writing B 3
ENG 20 Studies in Shakespeare 3
ENG 32 U.S. Women's Literature 3
ENG 35 Modern American Literature 3
ENG 41 Modern World Literature 3
ENG 42 Literature of the African Diaspora in America 3
ENG 44 Literature of the American West 3
ENG 45 Studies in Fiction 3
ESL 1A Critical Reading and Composition for ESL 6
ESL 23 Advanced Grammar 3
ESL 24 Advanced Reading and Composition I 6
ESL 25 Advanced Reading and Composition II 6
ESL 26 Advanced Editing 3
FREN 1A Beginning French 5
FREN 1B Elementary French 5
JAMS 2 Introduction to Media 3
JAMS 3 Introduction to Public Relations 3
JAMS 11 Introduction to Reporting and Newswriting 3
JAMS 12 Introduction to Photojournalism 3
JAMS 19A Journal of Arts, Literature, and Academic Writing A 3
JAMS 19B Journal of Arts, Literature, and Academic Writing B 3
JAMS 21A Express College Newspaper A 3
JAMS 21B Express College Newspaper B 3
JAMS 21C Express College Newspaper C 3
JAMS 21D Express College Newspaper D 3
JAMS 22 Express Editorial Board 1
JAMS 24A Naked Magazine: College Magazine A 3
JAMS 24B Naked Magazine: College Magazine B 3
PHTO 72 Introduction to Photojournalism 3
SPAN 1A Beginning Spanish 5
SPAN 1B Elementary Spanish 5
SPAN 2A Intermediate Spanish I 4
SPAN 2B Intermediate Spanish II 4
SPAN 21 Spanish for Spanish Speakers I 5
SPAN 22 Spanish for Spanish Speakers II 5
SPAN 23 Introduction to Hispanic Literature 3

Total Units in the Area of Emphasis: 18 -22

The Associate Degree is conferred upon those students who complete the required 60 or more semester units of the degree pattern with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better, of which 12 units must be earned at Las Positas College. In addition, students must complete a General Education pattern in order to earn a degree: see the Las Positas College General Education Pattern for Associate of Arts (AA) Degree, California State University General Education-Breadth, or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (for CSU) patterns for listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program, the optional course(s) taken, and the GE pattern selected. Elective units are degree applicable. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal.