Associate in Arts - Anthropology

at Foothill College USA

The major in English is excellent preparation for careers in law, teaching, advertising, journalism, communications and business administration. Most positions in modern institutions and industries require excellent skills in writing and reading. This major provides students with those skills along with a breadth of cultural and historical knowledge through the study of great literature.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to compose a thesis-based essay that clearly communicates a logical, evidence-supported argument.
• Students will demonstrate, in writing, comprehension and critical analysis of college-level texts.

Sociology is the scientific or systematic study of human groups and societies and patterns of interaction in real life settings. It uses a variety of research and theoretical perspectives to analyze and explain human social behavior and social change. As all human behavior is essentially social, sociology students examine a wide range of human interactions.

This program includes a range of courses that analyze sociological topics and enable students to develop and apply a Sociological Imagination or the ability to examine the broader connections between personal life, public issues and the social structure.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the core concepts of sociology: social structure, culture, social stratification and inequality, race, ethnicity, and gender and globalization.
• Students will be able to apply their understanding of sociology to their professional, personal and civic lives.

Computer programming, algorithms, data structures, and languages play an increasingly important role in academic, science and business careers. The Associate in Science degree satisfies the transfer requirements of many disparate 4-year colleges and universities. Our up-to-date curriculum is also valuable for enhancing the career opportunities of working professionals.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to use standard software engineering tools to create reusable code.
• Students will be able to design a large program that takes advantage of existing code libraries.
• Students will be able to organize a complex program in a logical way, enabling the extension of the program.
• Students will be able to comprehend user requirements and produce code and documentation in an industry-accepted style that satisfies those requirements.
• Students will be able to develop software that solves problems in a variety of fields, including math, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, business, and the Internet.

The Business Administration program has a dual mission (transfer and workforce) in providing students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to prepare for transfer to four-year institutions and to pursue a career or to develop their own businesses.

Students are provided the courses necessary to pursue studies in specialized business fields such as accounting, finance, advertising, marketing, management, banking, and business information systems. All students expecting to work in private or profit organizations or government are strongly urged to include business principles and other business specialized courses as electives.

Additionally, the department offers coursework and activities for increased professional proficiency, career changes, or new employment challenges, as well as for small business development. The Business department's small business entrepreneurship program is currently in redesign mode and will be refocused on the development of curriculum, activities, and community partnerships with the objective to address the "skills gap." Our initial emphasis will be on skill areas in leadership, communication, collaboration, project management, and innovation.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate appropriate use of business terms and concepts across a standard breadth of business functions (R&D, Mfg, Sales, Mktg, Ops, IT, Acctg, Finance, etc.).
• Students will demonstrate appropriate use of analytical frameworks, methods, and skills in response to business questions, cases, and projects.

The Anthropology Program educates students to understand and value the cultural and social diversity on a global scale, both past and present. By studying cultural, physical and linguistic anthropology and archaeology, students gain valuable skills and knowledge to prepare them for transferring to a four-year university and for careers and success in the workplace. Through innovative learning experiences, the anthropology program connects students to the community, and heightens their awareness of today's critical human problems. Through these activities the program introduces more educated citizens into our community who seek to solve problems and improve our world.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to understand and apply cultural relativism; they will be able to convey an understanding of multiple cultural perspectives.
• Students will demonstrate a core knowledge base in anthropology appreciating and reflecting on human diversity in the past and present.
• Students will integrate their knowledge and understanding of anthropological concepts and methods to creatively and ethically solve real-world human problems at the local, regional, and global scales.
• Students will be able to articulate key concepts and events in the process of human evolution and demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities toward that end.
• Students will be able to critically assess the important role that the past plays on the present, and conversely, the important role that the present has on the past from both local, regional, national and worldwide perspectives.

Political Science as a social science discipline is the systematic analysis of political power. Informed by theory and the scientific method, political scientists examine a variety of social and political phenomena including but not limited to social and political behavior, public policy, and institutions. Major areas of specialization in the discipline include American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public policy and political economy.

The value of a political science degree is recognized in both the public and private sectors as it demonstrates development of critical, analytical and research skills demanded by higher education institutions and the labor market.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to demonstrate critical, analytical, research and writing skills in political science and its sub-fields using basic scientific tools underlying modern social science.
• Students will be able to analyze the major theoretical formulations and concepts of political science and its sub-fields and the philosophical basis of those formulations.

Due to our increasingly technology-driven society, chemistry graduates will find an impressive array of opportunities for exciting careers in a wide range of fields. A chemistry degree can provide preparation for careers in areas such as basic research, pharmaceuticals, environmental protection, instrumentation, new product and process development, and education.

There is an increasing need for technical expertise in expanding fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, forensic science, clinical chemistry, food science, occupational safety and alternative fuels.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will have knowledge of current theories and applications in the field of chemistry.
• Students will have an enhanced ability to research, assess and evaluate topics of interest.
• Students will have an enhanced ability to communicate effectively using the language of chemistry.
• Students will have facility in the safe handling of chemicals and the execution of common laboratory techniques.

The Associate in Science in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology degree program is conducted in partnership with the Pipe Trades Training Center apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program is five years in duration, requiring a minimum of 9,000 hours of on-the-job training. After 5 years of classroom instruction and paid work experience, students are recognized as journeypersons within the Pipe Trades industry and work to insure indoor air quality by servicing and repairing all types of refrigeration equipment in all sizes of buildings, complex air conditioning, heating and refrigeration units used in hospitals, skyscrapers, manufacturing facilities and research development laboratories. Labor market analysis indicates increased employment opportunities in the pipe trades through 2020. Students earning an associate degree increase their marketability and employment opportunities.

The apprenticeship program, which includes coursework, lab work and on-the-job training, involves learning about the assessment, installation, maintenance and repair of different types of pipe systems, electronic control systems, refrigeration and air conditioning systems, effective and safe tool use, material applications, electrical competency, related mathematics and science and storage. The Associate in Science in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology degree builds on the Certificate of Achievement in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology by adding requirements for general education courses and electives.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• In compliance with applicable standards and codes, students will demonstrate ability to install and remove refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems, including the appropriate electrical/electronic control systems.
• In compliance with applicable standards and codes, students will demonstrate ability to maintain, repair, extend, and/or alter refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems, including electronic control systems.

The Theatre Arts department is an important center for theatre training encompassing acting, performance, literature, design and technical studies. Branches of the department include theatre technology, actor training and the general studies program for both majors and non-majors.

The Theatre Arts department operates a theatre program for both non-theatre major and theatre majors, consisting of theatre appreciation, multi-cultural theatre studies, studio-acting classes, production-related classes, musical theatre, technical theatre studies, industry preparation and electives in theatre specialization.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to proceed to further educational opportunities or entry-level workforce employment in their prescribed area of the performing arts with a minimal adjustment period.
• Students will be able to employ skill sets of collaboration relevant to multiple arenas of alliance or teamwork within the performing arts arena.

The study of Japanese is an excellent choice for students in the Bay Area since a considerable amount of business and trade occurs with Japan by California industries. The electronics industry is especially interested in employing persons who speak Japanese and are familiar with Japanese customs. It is an excellent major or minor for those who plan graduate work in business, electronics or law.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• The student will be able to communicate with native speakers of Japanese, using the appropriate language, styles, sensitivity and level of respectfulness in various situations.
• The student will demonstrate knowledge of Japanese society, culture and history, and will be able to analyze and discuss cultural differences and similarities.