Degree, Online, On Campus
The Associate in Arts degree is designed for students interested in transferring to a four-year institution and majoring in a non-STEM subject (something other than science, technology, engineering, or math). For example, the AA is appropriate for students majoring in Art, Business, Communications, Criminal Justice, Education, English, History, Languages, Marketing, Music, Philosophy, Physical Education, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Sociology, Social Work, etc.
Students who complete the associate’s degree are considered to have fulfilled the institution-wide, lower division requirements of the receiving institution. Graduates of the Associate in Arts degree program (60-61 semester hour credits) will be eligible to transfer to all constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina with junior status if admitted into the institution.
Students should select courses based on their intended major and transfer university requirements. The same course cannot be counted in more than one category. Students must meet the receiving institution's foreign language and/or health & P.E. requirements, if applicable, prior to or after transfer. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses counted toward graduation and to ensure course transferability to the University of North Carolina system. Students interested in taking advanced Spanish language courses may also be interested in adding the Spanish Language Certificate to the Associate in Arts degree.
ONLINE PROGRAM INFORMATION: Surry offers this program online. Go to Online Learning for more information.
This course provides information and strategies necessary to develop clear academic and professional goals beyond the community college experience. Topics include the CAA, college policies and culture, career exploration, gathering information on senior institutions, strategic planning, critical thinking, and communications skills for a successful academic transition. Upon completion, students should be able to develop an academic plan to transition successfully to senior institutions.
This course is designed to develop the ability to produce clear writing in a variety of genres and formats using a recursive process. Emphasis includes inquiry, analysis, effective use of rhetorical strategies, thesis development, audience awareness, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English.
This course provides instruction and experience in preparation and delivery of speeches within a public setting and group discussion. Emphasis is placed on research, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of informative, persuasive, and special occasion public speaking. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare and deliver well-organized speeches and participate in group discussion with appropriate audiovisual support.
This course introduces the origins and historical development of art. Emphasis is placed on the relationship of design principles to various art forms including but not limited to sculpture, painting, and architecture. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and analyze a variety of artistic styles, periods, and media.
This course is a basic survey of the music of the Western world. Emphasis is placed on the elements of music, terminology, composers, form, and style within a historical perspective. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate skills in basic listening and understanding of the art of music.
This course introduces theories about the nature and foundations of moral judgments and applications to contemporary moral issues. Emphasis is placed on moral theories such as consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Upon completion, students should be able to apply various ethical theories to moral issues such as abortion, capital punishment, poverty, war, terrorism, the treatment of animals, and issues arising from new technologies.
This course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include history, methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, motivation, cognition, abnormal behavior, personality theory, social psychology, and other relevant topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the science of psychology.
This course is designed to engage students in complex and realistic situations involving the mathematical phenomena of quantity, change and relationship, and uncertainty through project- and activity-based assessment. Emphasis is placed on authentic contexts which will introduce the concepts of numeracy, proportional reasoning, dimensional analysis, rates of growth, personal finance, consumer statistics, practical probabilities, and mathematics for citizenship. Upon completion, students should be able to utilize quantitative information as consumers and to make personal, professional, and civic decisions by decoding, interpreting, using, and communicating quantitative information found in modern media and encountered in everyday life.
This course introduces environmental processes and the influence of human activities upon them. Topics include ecological concepts, population growth, natural resources, and a focus on current environmental problems from scientific, social, political, and economic perspectives. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of environmental interrelationships and of contemporary environmental issues.
This course has been approved to satisfy the Scholars of Global Distinction Program.
This course introduces the physical, archaeological, linguistic, and ethnological fields of anthropology. Topics include human origins, genetic variations, archaeology, linguistics, primatology, and contemporary cultures. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the four major fields of anthropology.
This course introduces computer concepts, including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues, and use of software applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems.
This course provides a study of the art, craft, and business of the theatre. Emphasis is placed on the audience's appreciation of the work of the playwright, director, actor, designer, producer, and critic. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a vocabulary of theatre terms and to recognize the contributions of various theatre artists.
This course, the second in a series of two, expands the concepts developed in ENG 111 by focusing on writing that involves literature-based research and documentation. Emphasis is placed on critical reading and thinking and the analysis and interpretation of prose, poetry, and drama: plot, characterization, theme, cultural context, etc. Upon completion, students should be able to construct mechanically-sound, documented essays and research papers that analyze and respond to literary works.
This course introduces the principal genres of literature. Emphasis is placed on literary terminology, devices, structure, and interpretation. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze and respond to literature.
This course introduces selected works from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas from their literary beginnings through the seventeenth century. Emphasis is placed on historical background, cultural context, and literary analysis of selected prose, poetry, and drama. Upon completion, students should be able to interpret, analyze, and respond to selected works.
This course introduces selected works from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas from the eighteenth century to the present. Emphasis is placed on historical background, cultural context, and literary analysis of selected prose, poetry, and drama. Upon completion, students should be able to interpret, analyze, and respond to selected works.
This course introduces the distinctive features of a particular culture. Topics include art, history, music, literature, politics, philosophy, and religion. Upon completion, students should be able to appreciate the unique character of the study culture.
This course presents some major dimensions of human experience as reflected in art, music, literature, philosophy, and history. Topics include the search for identity, the quest for knowledge, the need for love, the individual and society, and the meaning of life. Upon completion, students should be able to recognize interdisciplinary connections and distinguish between open and closed questions and between narrative and scientific models of understanding.
This course covers major personality theories and personality research methods. Topics include psychoanalytic, behavioristic, social learning, cognitive, humanistic, and trait theories including supporting research. Upon completion, students should be able to compare and contrast traditional and contemporary approaches to the understanding of individual differences in human behavior.
This course is a survey of the literature of first-century Christianity with readings from the gospels, Acts, and the Pauline and pastoral letters. Topics include the literary structure, audience, and religious perspective of the writings, as well as the historical and cultural context of the early Christian community. Upon completion, students should be able to use the tools of critical analysis to read and understand New Testament literature.
This course is an examination of religious beliefs and practice in the United States. Emphasis is placed on mainstream religious traditions and non-traditional religious movements from the Colonial period to the present. Upon completion, students should be able to recognize and appreciate the diversity of religious traditions in America.
This course provides a comparison of diverse roles, interests, opportunities, contributions, and experiences in social life. Topics include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, and religion. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze how cultural and ethnic differences evolve and how they affect personality development, values, and tolerance.
This course is a continuation of SPA 111 focusing on the fundamental elements of the Spanish language within a cultural context. Emphasis is placed on the progressive development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Upon completion, students should be able to comprehend and respond with increasing proficiency to spoken and written Spanish and demonstrate further cultural awareness.
This course introduces business decision-making using accounting information systems. Emphasis is placed on analyzing, summarizing, reporting, and interpreting financial information. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare financial statements, understand the role of financial information in decision-making and address ethical considerations.
This course introduces the mechanics of painting. Emphasis is placed on the exploration of painting media through fundamental techniques. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding and application of painting.
This course covers resume writing, interview skills, and the preparation and presentation of an art portfolio. Emphasis is placed on the preparation of a portfolio of original artwork, the preparation of a photographic portfolio, approaches to resume writing, and interview techniques. Upon completion, students should be able to photograph and present a digital portfolio and write an effective resume.
This course covers the organization of a comprehensive body of work designed to showcase the visual artist's competencies in selected media and is intended for college transfer or professional advancement. Emphasis includes preparation for gallery exhibition, creation of a digital portfolio, and development of materials associated with best practices for showcasing artistic works, skills, and experience. Upon completion, students should be able to display a professional arrangement of work designed for entry into an advanced visual arts program, application for employment, or presentation to juried gallery exhibitions.
This course introduces basic methods and techniques used in watercolor. Emphasis is placed on application, materials, content, and individual expression. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a variety of traditional and nontraditional concepts used in watercolor media.
This course provides an exploration of the creative and technical methods of sculpture with focus on the traditional processes. Emphasis is placed on developing basic skills as they pertain to three-dimensional expression in various media. Upon completion, students should be able to show competence in variety of sculptural approaches.
This course provides the opportunity for self-determined work in sculptural and functional ceramics. Emphasis is placed on developing the technical awareness of glaze materials, glaze formulation, and firing techniques necessary to fulfill the student's artistic goals. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of materials and techniques necessary to successfully create original projects in the clay medium.
This course introduces the biological and physical components of a field environment. Emphasis is placed on a local field environment with extended field trips to other areas. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the biological and physical components of the specific biological environment.
This course covers the biochemistry of foods and nutrients with consideration of the physiological effects of specialized diets for specific biological needs. Topics include cultural, religious, and economic factors that influence a person's acceptance of food, as well as nutrient requirements of the various life stages. Upon completion, students should be able to identify the functions and sources of nutrients, the mechanisms of digestion, and the nutritional requirements of all age groups.This course has been approved for transfer under the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement as a pre-major/elective course.
This course covers principles of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell genetics. Emphasis is placed on the molecular basis of heredity, chromosome structure, patterns of Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance, evolution, and biotechnological applications. Upon completion, students should be able to recognize and describe genetic phenomena and demonstrate knowledge of important genetic principles.
This course provides a survey of the business world. Topics include the basic principles and practices of contemporary business. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of business concepts as a foundation for studying other business subjects.
This course introduces computer programming using the Visual BASIC programming language with object-oriented programming principles. Emphasis is placed on event-driven programming methods, including creating and manipulating objects, classes, and using object-oriented tools such as the class debugger. Upon completion, students should be able to design, code, test and debug at a beginning level.
This course introduces computer programming using the JAVA programming language with object-oriented programming principles. Emphasis is placed on event-driven programming methods, including creating and manipulating objects, classes, and using object-oriented tools such as the class debugger. Upon completion students should be able to design, code, test, debug JAVA language programs.
This course is a continuation of CSC 139 using the Visual BASIC programming language with object-oriented programming principles. Emphasis is placed on event-driven programming methods, including creating and manipulating objects, classes, and using object-oriented tools such as the class debugger. Upon completion, students should be able to design, code, test, debug, and implement objects using the appropriate environment.
This course introduces the examination of the American educational systems and the teaching profession. Topics include the historical and philosophical influences on education, various perspectives on educational issues, and experiences in birth through grade 12 classrooms. Upon completion, students should be able to reflect on classroom observations, analyze the different educational approaches, including classical/traditional and progressive, and have knowledge of the various roles of educational systems at the federal, state and local level.
This course is an overview of the engineering profession. Topics include goal setting and career assessment, ethics, public safety, the engineering method and design process, written and oral communication, interpersonal skills and team building, and computer applications. Upon completion, students should be able to understand the engineering process, the engineering profession, and utilize college resources to meet their educational goals.
This course is designed as a workshop approach for advancing imaginative and literary skills. Emphasis is placed on the discussion of style, techniques, and challenges for first publications. Upon completion, students should be able to submit a piece of their writing for publication.
This course provides an analytical study of the works of several Southern authors. Emphasis is placed on the historical and cultural contexts, themes, aesthetic features of individual works, and biographical backgrounds of the authors. Upon completion, students should be able to interpret, analyze, and discuss selected works.
This course provides an introduction to basic personal health and wellness. Emphasis is placed on current health issues such as nutrition, mental health, and fitness. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the factors necessary to the maintenance of health and wellness.
This course covers African-American history from the Colonial period to the present. Topics include African origins, the slave trade, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Jim Crow era, the civil rights movement, and contributions of African Americans. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze significant political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments in the history of African Americans.
This course examines the social, political, economic, and ideological forces that led to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Topics include regional conflicts and sectionalism, dissolution of the Union, military campaigns, and the War's socioeconomic impact, aftermath, and consequences. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze significant political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments in the United States during the era of the Civil War.
This course surveys the history and cultures of Native Americans from pre-history to the present. Topics include Native American civilizations, relations with Europeans, and the continuing evolution of Native American cultures. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze significant political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments among Native Americans.
This course introduces the political, socioeconomic, religious, and ideological forces that led to the American Revolution, and the courses and consequences of the conflict. Topics include the prewar situation, wartime internal dynamics, international diplomacy, military strategy, tactics, and campaigns, and the Revolution?s impact, aftermath, and consequences. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze significant political, socioeconomic, religious, ideological, international, and military developments in the United States during the Revolutionary Era.
This course surveys the history of the Middle East from the development of civilization in Mesopotamia to the present. Emphasis is placed on social, political, economic, religious, and governmental structures in the Middle East. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze significant political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments in the Middle East.
This course explores the theories and techniques of leadership and group process. Emphasis is placed on leadership styles, theories of group dynamics, and the moral and ethical responsibilities of leadership. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and analyze a personal philosophy and style of leadership and integrate these concepts in various practical situations.
This course presents a study of journalistic news, feature, and sports writing. Emphasis is placed on basic news writing techniques and on related legal and ethical issues. Upon completion, students should be able to gather, write, and edit news, feature, and sports articles.
This course is designed to develop problem-solving and reasoning skills using an algorithmic approach. Topics include sets, number theory, numeration systems, linear programming, traditional and propositional logic, truth tables, Venn diagrams, elementary proofs, and Boolean algebra. Upon completion, students should be able to apply logic and other mathematical concepts to solve a variety of problems.
This course is designed to investigate and apply the basic concepts and principles of lifetime physical fitness and other health-related factors. Emphasis is placed on wellness through the study of nutrition, weight control, stress management, and consumer facts on exercise and fitness. Upon completion, students should be able to plan a personal, lifelong fitness program based on individual needs, abilities, and interests.
This course covers the skills necessary to participate in a developmental fitness program. Emphasis is placed on the circuit training method which involves a series of conditioning timed stations arranged for maximum benefit and variety. Upon completion, students should be able to understand and appreciate the role of circuit training as a means to develop fitness.
This course is designed to give an overview of a variety of sports activities. Emphasis is placed on the skills and rules necessary to participate in a variety of lifetime sports. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an awareness of the importance of participating in lifetime sports activities.
This course covers more advanced volleyball techniques. Emphasis is placed on refining skills and developing more advanced strategies and techniques. Upon completion, students should be able to participate in competitive volleyball.
This course introduces the fundamental skills and rules of softball. Emphasis is placed on proper techniques and strategies for playing softball. Upon completion, students should be able to participate in recreational softball.
This course covers the proper techniques for establishing a campsite, navigating in the wilderness, and planning for an overnight trip. Topics include planning for meals, proper use of maps and compass, and packing and dressing for extended periods in the outdoors. Upon completion, students should be able to identify quality backpacking equipment, identify the principles of no-trace camping, and successfully complete a backpacking experience.
This course provides instruction on how to equip and care for oneself on the trail. Topics include clothing, hygiene, trail ethics, and necessary equipment. Upon completion, students should be able to successfully participate in nature trail hikes.
This course examines contemporary roles in society with special emphasis on recent changes. Topics include sex role socialization, myths and stereotypes, gender issues related to family, work, and power. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze modern relationships between men and women.
This course provides an opportunity for intensive reading and composition in Spanish. Emphasis is placed on the use of literary and cultural materials to enhance and expand reading and writing skills. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate in writing an in-depth understanding of assigned readings.
Graduates of the Associate in Arts program will be able to:
The AA is available online. Online degree students follow the same degree requirements and program learning outcomes as students earning the degree in the traditional format.
Students attending Surry Community College for two years instead of going straight to a four-year college or university typically save
On average students who transfer from a community college outperform students who go straight to a four-year school.
Attending SCC is a great way for students to gain an affordable college education. The faculty and staff are extremely supportive and offer top-quality education.
Jewel Carrie Parker
SCC Graduate
Choosing a college is an important decision, and we’re pleased that you’re interested in Surry Community College.