Associate in Arts - Liberal Arts - Arts and Letters Emphasis

at De Anza College USA

The Intercultural Studies Department offers an interdisciplinary major leading to certificates, an A.A. degree, or transfer in Intercultural (Ethnic) Studies.  This major represents the joint commitment of the African America, Asian American and Asian, Chicanx/Latinx, Native American, and core Intercultural Studies areas, and provides a diverse curriculum whose educational objectives include the following:

• Develop a methodology emphasizing comparative analyses of the history, politics, social dynamics, and current  challenges and opportunities of historically marginalized communities of color;
• Develop the skills and capabilities to critically analyze information prevalent in the dominant  culture from the perspective of historically marginalized communities of color;
• Examine ethnicity theory, race relations theory, feminist theory, cross-cultural communications theory, peace/conflict/ reconciliation theory, healing and social transformation theory and practices, and explore the intersectional and multidimensional issues of racism, institutions, power as they relate to advocating for equity and social justice.

The major also examines the need for and role of multiracial alliances, economic class analysis, the role of healing in social change work, and provides expertise in areas that will allow students to develop the critical analysis, interpersonal capacities, and leadership and organizing skills to be responsive to the multidimensional needs of historically marginalized communities of color in the short term, and to also contribute to long-term systemic transformation for equity and social justice.

The CNC Machinist Certificate of A.S. degree teaches students the fundamentals of CNC machine tools. Students learn safe set-up, editing and operation of CNC equipment, including vertical and horizontal mills, lathes and rotary multi-axis components. Students are taught to dimension and inspect parts using various inspection methods, and to analyze materials and processes used in manufacturing. Upon completion, students are prepared for employment in manufacturing facilities as CNC set-up persons and machine operators.

De Anza's Machining and CNC programs have been preparing students for highly paid, highly skilled work in Silicon Valley since 1967.

We can help you meet your goals, whether that means preparing for your first career, changing your occupation, upgrading your skills or expanding your abilities as a hobbyist.

The A.A. degree in Law Enforcement provides the foundational education required for an individual's career pathway into the criminal justice field with an emphasis on the administration of justice. The courses range from the concepts of criminal law, evidence, investigation and reporting to community relations and criminology.

The program has a proud history: It has been offered at the college since De Anza was established in 1967. Today, our classes cover the latest advancements in methodology and technology.

Our instructors have extensive professional experience as judges, police officers, correction and probation officers as well as attorneys. Our graduates are working for public and private agencies throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

Designed primarily for students who plan on transferring to the University of California or California State University, the associate degree in Liberal Arts represents the completion of a broad area of study with an emphasis in one of the following four areas: Arts and Letters, Business and Computer Information Systems, Science, Math and Engineering and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The degree allows the student to develop a broad set of essential life/work competencies such as: communication, critical thinking, problem solving, quantitative reasoning and multicultural skills.

The Journalism Department supports De Anza's core competencies in the following ways:

• Communication and expression: Students learn new rhetorical strategies and use their First Amendment rights to create and publish La Voz News, social media (@lavozdeanza) and videos.
• Information literacy: Students study and practice media literacy.
• Physical/mental wellness and personal responsibility: Students work cooperatively under deadline situations and take on leadership roles in a structured environment that prepares them for many media workplaces.
• Civic capacity for global, cultural, social and environmental justice: Students learn to: a) tell stories that show the diversity of De Anza College and the world, b) interpret cultural and environmental issues and c) present their ideas clearly.
• Critical thinking: Students analyze ideas, create and test models, solve problems and evaluate alternatives as they work hands-on to produce print, digital and video content.

In this career-oriented program, students are trained in the interrelated fields of environmental resource management (sustainable multiple-use management of our fundamental environmental resources ? air, water, land, food and extracted materials) and pollution prevention. The training received is multidisciplinary, covering the areas of law/regulation, public health, economics and science and technology, and includes coursework covering a variety of practical management tools that employers look for. Upon completion, students are prepared for employment as entry-level environmental management/pollution prevention specialists in a wide range of positions and settings, including working for business/industry, government, and nonprofit organizations

Our Mission
The mission of DeAnza’s Environmental Studies Department is two-fold:

• Educate a broad range of students on both environmental science and environmental issues via our 10 General Education (GE) course offerings.
• Train the next generation of environmental leaders and professionals via our certificate and degree offerings in three key areas.
• With over 3500 students taking the nearly 200 class sections we offer each year, we are the largest environmental studies/science department in the California Community College system.

The ways in which we communicate contribute significantly to the quality of our lives. Our Communication Studies Department faculty seek to create a stimulating and supportive learning environment and to meet the diverse and changing needs of our students, our department, and the college. We are here to help students gain greater knowledge and skill in Communication Studies as a means to developing their own potential. In our classrooms we celebrate our students diverse cultures, traditions, perspectives, voices, and goals. We are constantly updating our courses, exploring new ideas, and sharing information to foster our own professional growth and to provide the best possible opportunities to our students.

Our Goals:

• Value every student as an individual with his/her needs, goals and learning styles.
• Challenge our students with a spirit of inquiry, discovery, dialog and reflection.
• Create an environment where diverse cultures, abilities, and needs are respected and where differences offer productive opportunities for learning and personal fulfillment.
• Develop a dynamic curriculum that reflects both traditional and emerging schools of thought in our discipline.
• Provide every student with opportunities to simultaneously acquire knowledge and develop skill through practice.
• Help students become critical and independent thinkers and problem solvers by providing opportunities to work in self-regulated teams in order to develop small group collaboration skills, listening, deliberation, conflict management, argumentation, problem solving, and decision-making.
• Remain faithful to our task of promoting personal integrity.
• Provide opportunities for students to successfully use technology for research and developing presentations.
• Prepare students to use effective communication skills in their personal and professional lives.
• Raise consciousness of our global interdependence and responsibility.

The A.S. degree - Energy Management and Building Science will prepare students for new and emerging career opportunities in energy management technology, building energy audit, facilities management, building design and sustainability, and renewable energy systems. Completion of the degree program provides students with a skilled knowledge of energy efficiency principles and prepares them for careers in managing and monitoring energy efficient buildings. The program curriculum is aligned with professional certifications offered by the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), including Facilities Management Professional (FMP) and Sustainable Facilities Professional (SFP). Students will also be well prepared for the certification test for Renewable (Solar) Energy Professional offered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

Our Mission
The mission of DeAnza’s Environmental Studies Department is two-fold:

• Educate a broad range of students on both environmental science and environmental issues via our 10 General Education (GE) course offerings.
• Train the next generation of environmental leaders and professionals via our certificate and degree offerings in three key areas.
• With over 3500 students taking the nearly 200 class sections we offer each year, we are the largest environmental studies/science department in the California Community College system.

The interdisciplinary Facility and Sustainable Building Management degree align with the requirements set by the facility management industry for qualified facility management professionals. Students will be educated and provided actual on-the-job work experience. Students will understand the cross functional aspects of a successful facility manager and will be further educated on the roles facility managers play, the basics of building operations and maintenance, building sustainability, and work management within the facility manager job function. International Facility Management Association (IFMA) estimates the average age of practicing facility managers is more than 49 years old. IFMA also forecasts that 30 to 50 percent of practicing facility managers will retire within the next 10 years. This indicates a pending employment gap and a need for younger, well-educated and qualified facility management professionals. IFMA has turned to California community colleges to help fill this gap. The Facility and Sustainable Building Management certificates and degrees will prepare students for careers in building sustainability, space planning, environmental health and safety, energy efficiency, sustainable landscaping, real estate, property management, human resources and other business-related job functions such as marketing, sales and accounting.

Our Mission
The mission of DeAnza’s Environmental Studies Department is two-fold:

• Educate a broad range of students on both environmental science and environmental issues via our 10 General Education (GE) course offerings.
• Train the next generation of environmental leaders and professionals via our certificate and degree offerings in three key areas.
• With over 3500 students taking the nearly 200 class sections we offer each year, we are the largest environmental studies/science department in the California Community College system.

The A.A. degree in Private Security provides the foundational education required for an individual's career pathway into the private security field. The courses range from the concepts of criminal law, evidence, investigations and reporting to patrol procedures and criminology.

The program has a proud history: It has been offered at the college since De Anza was established in 1967. Today, our classes cover the latest advancements in methodology and technology.

Our instructors have extensive professional experience as judges, police officers, correction and probation officers as well as attorneys. Our graduates are working for public and private agencies throughout the Bay Area and beyond.