Associate in Arts - Art

at Foothill College USA

The Art History program offers an Associate in Arts degree and a Certificate of Achievement and provides students with an awareness of art, economic, political, religious and social history. Students leave the program with an increased sensitivity to art-related issues and the ability to think critically about art and art history. Knowledge of art history engenders a heightened understanding of history, a familiarity with the major issues in human cultural development and the exposure to the artistic expression of varied cultures and civilizations. This guided program assists students in developing specialized art theory necessary to apply and transfer to art programs at local universities.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to collect and assess primary and secondary source information and successfully analyze and comment on that information in the form of a reasoned term paper.
• Students will be able to demonstrate in written form a strong awareness of the political, social, religious, and technological factors that influence cultures and change in those cultures.

The History department offers courses that explore political, economic, social, and cultural themes of the past with a strong emphasis on global understanding and multicultural contributions. Courses cover the geographical globe from Eastern/Western Europe to Asia and the Americas.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to identify connections between specific people, groups, events and ideas and larger historical themes, developments and topics.
• Students will be able to critically analyze a variety of primary and secondary sources and draw valid historical interpretations from them.

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.

Physical Education is a multi-disciplinary educational experience. These choices include the traditional concentrations in teaching and contemporary choices of fitness, dance or athletic emphasis. Students interested in physical education, dance and athletics are candidates for this program.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• The student will complete this program with the ability to communicate the components of a physical education program to their professional staff.
• The student will demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills, and values of a multi-disciplinary program, which satisfy core requirements for many physical education transfer majors, including the traditional concentrations in teaching and contemporary choices of fitness, dance and athletic emphasis.

The Child Development Program is an academic and vocational training program that prepares students for future work as early childhood educators in diverse early childhood settings. Courses and certificates are designed to meet entry-level requirements for the level of work chosen and/or meet the requirements needed to obtain a California Child Development Permit to become an Assistant Teacher, Associate Teacher, Teacher, Master Teacher and/or Site Supervisor in state-licensed, publicly funded, center-based child care and development programs. Students planning to transfer to a four-year university as a child development or related major may be able to apply some child development units toward the lower division major preparation requirements or qualify for the AS-T in Early Childhood Education. Please see a Foothill counselor for more information.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the needs and characteristics of children from birth through middle childhood, and the multiple influences on their development as related to the high-quality care and education of young children.
• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of ethical standards and professional behaviors that deepen knowledge and commitment to the field of early care and education as related to National Association for the Education of Young Children Code of Ethical Conduct.

The Graphic & Interactive Design Program offers training for careers in the exciting, dynamic fields of graphic design, UI/UX design, web design, game design, and illustration. Students enrolled in this program develop basic and advanced skills in the important processes of design while learning professional graphics applications. Students receive a balance of instruction that includes visual arts and general education courses that are designed to produce a well-rounded, highly-trained graduate with sufficient expertise to be employable in an ever-expanding job market.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will understand the design process from sketching to final product.
• Students will be able to create unique graphic designs that communicate ideas to others.

Because of the increasingly technological nature of our society, science majors will find an impressive array of options and exciting opportunities. A science major can provide preparation for a career in fields related to biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, astronomy or engineering.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to integrate the various fields of science in order to critically evaluate and interpret scientific information.
• Students will be able to assess how relevant scientific information could be used to inform their own personal economic, political and social decisions.

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.

Mathematics and related subjects play important dual roles in our culture. On the one hand, mathematics is a study in its own right; on the other hand it is an indispensable tool for expressing and understanding ideas in the sciences, engineering, and an increasing number of other fields.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• The student will be able to clearly communicate mathematical ideas through graphs, tables of data, equations and verbal descriptions.
• The student will be able to construct appropriate mathematical models of natural phenomena, develop those models with appropriate mathematical techniques and interpret results of those models.

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.