Bachelor of Arts in American Studies – SJS Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Roadmap

This is a sample pathway for students who transfer to San Francisco State University in the current Bulletin year with an AA-T in Social Justice Studies. Six units in the major [electives] and all lower-division GE requirements have been satisfied. Check with a major advisor about the most appropriate course sequence. Degree completion guaranteed in 60 units; see the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) section for more information.

To Do at SF State:

Enough total units to reach 120 minimum for graduation; 30 units minimum at the upper-division level; to include the following:

University-Wide Requirements: 9-15 Units

  • American Institutions (0–6 units): US Government/California State and Local Government requirement if not completed prior to transfer.
  • Upper-Division GE (9 units): Courses required for the major may double-count if approved for UD GE.
  • Students entering the major with the AA-T in Social Justice Studies are not required to fulfill SF State Studies requirements.
  • Complementary Studies: Consult with a department advisor on how transfer units and/or SF State units can be applied to ensure degree completion within 60 units.

American Studies Major: 33 Units

  • Required Courses (15 units) – includes GWAR-designated course.
  • Elective Courses (18 units) – Courses, by choice and advisement, on a topic or theme in American Studies, drawn from at least two disciplines. Consult with department advisor about applying up to 6 units from the ADT. Consult University Bulletin for a list of appropriate departments.

University Electives: 21 Units or More

Units depending on course choices made at the community college, how transferred units are applied to the requirements above, and course choices at SF State. Some courses may meet more than one requirement, e.g., both in UD GE and the major. Upper-division electives recommended in order to meet the minimum 30-unit upper-division requirement.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterUnits
Select One (Major Core): 3
Self, Place, and Knowing: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Inquiry (E)
Values in American Life (C2, AERM)
HUM 450/AMST 410 California Culture (Major Core, UD-C) 3
Select One (Major Core): 3
The Arts and American Culture (UD-C, AERM)
American Images: Photography and Literature (UD-C)
Major Elective (18 units) - Take One 1 3
University Elective 3
 Units15
Second Semester
HUM 300GW Reading and Writing Across Creative Forms - GWAR (Major Core) 3
Major Elective (18 units) - Take Two 1 6
US History 3
or University Elective if US History met in transfer
University Elective 3
 Units15
Third Semester
Select One (Major Core): 3
Future Environments (UD-D, ES, GP, SJ)
Urban Transportation
Geography of Ethnic Communities (AERM, SJ)
Geography of California (UD-D, AERM, ES, SJ)
Major Elective (18 units) - Take One 1 3
GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences 3
U.S. and California Government 3
or University Elective if US and California Government met in transfer
University Elective 3
 Units15
Fourth Semester
Major Elective (18 units) - Take Two 1 6
GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences 3
or University Elective if requirement already fulfilled
University Elective – Take Two 6
 Units15
 Total Units60
1

Elective Courses (18 units)

Courses, by choice and advisement, on a topic or theme in American Studies, drawn from at least two disciplines. For students with GPA 3.0 or higher, electives can include a senior course on advisement: Independent Study (699) on a specific topic connected to prior coursework, to be developed through consultation with the coordinator and faculty from the appropriate department (3-6 units).

Courses especially appropriate as electives for the American Studies major are offered by the following departments (not an exclusive list):

  • Africana Studies
  • American Indian Studies
  • Art
  • Asian American Studies
  • Cinema
  • English
  • Geography
  • History
  • Humanities
  • Journalism
  • Latina/Latino Studies
  • Music
  • Political Science
  • Race and Resistance Studies
  • Social Science
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • Women and Gender Studies