Social Sciences Department
Social Science is the field of study concerned with society. “Social Science” is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences, usually excluding the administrative or managerial sciences.
These include: anthropology, archaeology, criminology, economics, government, linguistics, international relations, political science, sociology, geography, history, law, and psychology.
Select your academic option below to view more details.
Academic Options
Associates in Arts – DTA Anthropology
Through its various sub-disciplines, anthropology provides a holistic approach to studying humans as cultural and biological animals. The anthropology courses taught at YVC allow students to develop a solid grounding in the discipline.
Students choosing to pursue a degree in Anthropology should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Anthropology as a major.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associates in Arts – DTA Chican@ Studies
Note: The symbol “@” represents the education industry standard replacing “a/o”.
The Chican@ Studies program focuses on the history, contributions, and contemporary experiences of people of predominantly Mexican heritage in the U.S. It is an interdisciplinary academic field which bridges traditional academic boundaries by drawing from areas of scholarly inquiry such as history, sociology, political science, arts and humanities, trans-national, and gender studies. Intensive community involvement and the training of future leaders are also emphasized.
Students pursuing a degree in the Social Sciences should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Chican@ Studies as a major or minor.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associates in Arts – DTA Economics
Economics is the study of how people and their social systems use scarce resources for the decision-making process of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The study of economics has become relevant for understanding the financial, political, and social changes taking place daily in our modern world. Courses taught at YVC provide introductory-level exposure to economic principles and applications relevant for degree-seeking and transfer students and for members of business and the community.
Students pursuing a degree in Economics should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Economics as a major.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associates in Arts – DTA Ethnic Studies
The Ethnic Studies program examines the social, political, and economic forces that have shaped the historic experience of diverse ethnic communities in the United States over the last 500+ years. An interdisciplinary, comparative and transnational approach to studying race relations and the intersectionality of race, gender, class, sexuality, and globalization utilized. The program also provides the opportunity for students to identify, question, and challenge unjust structures and systems and to identify strategies that nurture civic-minded and culturally informed students who strive to strengthen their communities.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associates in Arts – DTA Geography
Geography is an integrative discipline that unites the physical and social sciences in the study of people, places, and the environment. Major themes geographers explore are the interaction of human and natural environments, movement, and regions. Geography studies the where-and-why factors that shape our world and our lives in spatial terms.
Students pursuing a degree in Geography should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Geography as a major.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associates in Arts – DTA History
The historian analyzes human events and social/political organizations, attempting to establish an accurate perspective of the past. History provides us with an identity. It allows us to place current events into a perspective which gives us a sense of context and sequence. The patterns of civilizations can be discerned. History courses are taught at YVC by instructors known for their knowledge and provocative presentations. Courses may be taken out of sequence (e.g. HIST& 117 before HIST& 116 or HIST& 137 before HIST& 136).
Students pursuing a degree in History should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers History as a major.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associates in Arts – DTA Political Science
Political Science is the study of government and public policy and of the political behavior of individuals and groups. Political Science uses both humanistic and scientific methods of analysis to examine individual and group behaviors and outcomes at the local, state, national, and international levels of politics (source: American Political Science Association). The Political Science program at YVC offers most of the fundamental courses in the discipline that prepare students for a declared major or minor in political science at a four-year college or university. Political Science courses at YVC also contribute toward general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree in any Liberal Arts discipline.
Students pursuing a degree in Political Science should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Political Science as a major.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associates in Arts – DTA Psychology
YVC offers a core of basic psychology courses which will provide a sound introduction to the discipline. Psychology is the science of human behavior and experience, and includes perspectives examining abnormal behavior, the biological bases of behavior, social interaction, and cognitive processes. These psychology courses are offered for general education, personal enrichment, and for students pursuing a career in Psychology or related fields. They serve as prerequisites for several campus programs.
Students pursuing a degree in Psychology should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Psychology as a major. It is important for students planning to major in Psychology to meet with a psychology instructor when selecting courses to meet the AA-DTA degree.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Associates in Arts – DTA Sociology
Sociology is the systematic analysis of the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists study social interaction, social structure, and social change. Contemporary American society is the focus but comparative and historical perspectives are included. The college offers basic courses that introduce the student to the fundamental principles, theories, and approaches of the discipline.
Students pursuing a degree in Sociology should follow a program leading to the Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA) and then transfer to a college or university that offers Sociology as a major.
Student, please note: To ensure that your degree requirements for graduation have been met, you need to review the degree planning guide with an advisor or counselor.
Areas of Interest
Social Sciences Department Contacts