Academic Catalog

Language and Communication web banner

University Studies - Communication and Language Arts (AA)

The Associate Degree in University Studies is intended to accommodate the differing requirements of a wide variety of transfer institutions and major options. Because admission and major preparation requirements vary at each four-year transfer institution, courses used to complete this degree should be selected with the assistance of a counselor.

The completion of the University Studies Degree does not guarantee acceptance into either a baccalaureate major or a four-year institution.

Requirements

  1. California State University (CSU) General Education Breadth
    1. Complete CSU General Education Breadth (see Transfer Information and Degree Requirements in college catalog).
    2. Earn a grade of “C” or higher or “Pass” for all courses in Area A and the Mathematical/Quantitative Reasoning courses in Area B.
    3. Complete a minimum of 18 units (listed below) with a “C” grade or higher or "Pass".
    4. Complete a minimum of 60 degree applicable CSU transferable semester units. (All courses included in each area of emphasis are CSU transferable.)
    5. Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college coursework completed.
    6. Meet Grossmont College residence requirements for graduation (see Degree Requirements in college catalog).
    7. Students pursuing a University Studies degree in Mathematics and Natural Science and Computer Science are eligible to use CSU for STEM to fulfill the general education requirements of this degree.
      or
  2. Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for CSU or UC
    1. Complete IGETC Certification (see Transfer Information and Degree Requirements in college catalog).
    2. Earn a grade of “C” or higher or “Pass” in all IGETC courses.
    3. Complete a minimum of 18 units (listed below) with a “C” grade or higher or "Pass".
    4. Complete a minimum of 60 degree applicable UC transferable semester.
      Courses that are non-UC transferable are indicated by (*). Additional UC transferable units may be chosen as electives.
    5. Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college coursework completed.
    6. Meet Grossmont College residence requirements for graduation (see Degree Requirements in college catalog).
    7. Students pursuing a University Studies degree in Mathematics and Natural Science and Computer Science are eligible to use IGETC for STEM to fulfill the general education requirements of this degree.

While 18 units are required in a specific area to meet the requirements of the degree, it is strongly recommended that as many lower division preparation for the major courses as possible be completed at the community college prior to transfer. Cross-listed courses receive credit for only one course. Some baccalaureate majors and four-year institutions require a higher GPA than is necessary for the Associate Degree. Completion of the University Studies Degree does not guarantee admission to a four-year institution.

The Program-level Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) are outcomes that students who complete a degree / certificate in this program will be able to achieve upon degree / certificate completion. The PSLOs for the University Studies degree in Communication and Language Arts are:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to analyze information and write effectively.
  2. Organize thoughts and ideas in both oral and written format.
  3. Communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

Courses in this major focus on the study of how language works to express human ideas and feelings. Students explore and analyze written and verbal communication methods, as well as develop and advance their oral and written communication skills. Students completing this area may be interested in the following baccalaureate majors: American Sign Language, communication, English, foreign language, literature, journalism, linguistics and media / film / television. Students must complete a minimum of three units or one course in communication and three units or one course in language arts. The remaining units may be taken from either category.

​Note: All courses must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or higher or “Pass.”

Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Public Speaking
Advanced Public Speaking
Intercultural Communication
Communication Studies: Health and Wellness 1
Global Communication
Oral Interpretation of Literature
Readers Theatre
Critical Thinking in Group Communication
Communication Studies: Race and Ethnicity
Argumentation
Communication Studies: Race and Ethnicity
Mass Media and Society
Introduction to Film Analysis
Introduction to Reporting and News Writing 1
Introduction to Audio Production 1
Television Studio Operations 1
Media Script Writing 1
Single Camera Video Cinematography
1

Non-UC transferable course.

Language Arts
Arabic I
Arabic II
Arabic for the Arabic Speaker I
Arabic for the Arabic Speaker II
Language, Culture, and Literature of the Arab World
Arabic III
Arabic IV
Conversational Arabic I
Conversational Arabic II
American Sign Language I
American Sign Language II
Inside Deaf Culture
American Sign Language III
American Sign Language IV
Chinese I
Chinese II
Chinese III
Chinese IV
Conversational Chinese I
Conversational Chinese II
Introduction to Literature
Advanced Composition: Critical Reasoning and Writing
Introduction to Creative Writing
Short Fiction Writing I
Short Fiction Writing II
Short Fiction Writing III
Short Fiction Writing IV
Poetry Writing I
Poetry Writing II
Poetry Writing III
Poetry Writing IV
Mythology
Death and Dying in Literature
British Literature I
British Literature II
American Literature I
American Literature II
French I
French II
French III
French IV
Conversational French I
Conversational French II
German I
German II
German III
German IV
Conversational German I
Conversational German II
Italian I
Italian II
Italian III
Italian IV
Conversational Italian I
Conversational Italian II
Japanese I
Japanese II
Japanese III
Japanese IV
Conversational Japanese I
Conversational Japanese II
Russian I
Russian II
Russian III
Russian IV
Conversational Russian I
Conversational Russian II
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish for the Native Speaker I
Spanish for the Native Speaker II
Spanish III
Spanish IV
Conversational Spanish I
Conversational Spanish II

Certificate of Achievement

Students who complete the CSU General Education Breadth requirements or the IGETC for CSU or UC requirements are eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement in University Studies. An official request must be filed with the Admission and Records Office prior to the deadline as stated in the Academic Calendar.