Early College Academy Course Descriptions

Biology 125

Marine Biology 

3 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC, USC

BIOL 125 is a general survey of the ecosystems and biodiversity of life in the marine environment. The course includes a brief introduction to the sciences of geological, chemical, and physical oceanography as the basis to understand the environment where marine organisms have evolved. A comparative approach is used to study the anatomy, physiology, and evolution of the major groups of marine organisms. This course compares the ecology of the following marine ecosystems: epipelagic, deep sea, hydrothermal vents, intertidal, estuaries, coral reefs, and polar. Aspects of evolutionary, cell and molecular theory are addressed throughout the course. The impact of humans on the marine environment is analyzed by studying historical and current problems regarding pollution and fisheries.

High School Course Equivalent: 

Principles of Macroeconomics

3 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC, USC

ECON 102 is an introductory course focusing on aggregate economic analysis. Topics include: market systems, aggregate measures of economic activity, macroeconomic equilibrium, money and financial institutions, monetary and fiscal policy, international economics, and economic growth.

High School Course Equivalent:

Economics, Social Science 

ENGL C1000

Freshman English

3 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC

ENGL 101 is a foundation course in critical reading and writing skills required of those students intending to transfer to a university. Through their reading and discussion of selected prose works, students learn to identify problems, examine possible solutions, recognize unstated assumptions and values, appraise evidence, evaluate arguments, draw inferences, and test conclusions. Through their writing, students learn to analyze, synthesize, organize information logically, and propose original ideas. Students also receive instruction in research and MLA documentation and are required to complete a fully documented research paper.

High School Course Equivalent:

12th grade English 

English 102

Critical Thinking and Literacy Analysis

3 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC, USC

ENGL 102 helps students to develop their critical thinking and writing skills beyond the level achieved in English 101. The course emphasizes the application of logical reasoning, analysis, and strategies of argumentation in critical thinking and writing, using literature (both fiction and non-fiction) and literary criticism as subject matter. Students also receive instruction in literary research, complete a fully documented research paper, and are introduced to the process of revision. Furthermore, students develop a deeper understanding of the human condition through the study of literature.

High School Course Equivalent:

12th Grade English 

Ethnic Studies 121

Ethnic and Racial Minorities

3 Units

ETH S 121 surveys the major ethnic and racial minorities in the United States to provide students with a better understanding of the socio-economic, cultural and political practices and institutions that support or challenge racism, racial and ethnic inequalities. The course also studies historical and contemporary patterns of interaction between intersectional identities of the four core ethnic populations of Asian Americans, Chicanx/Latinx, African Americans, and Native/Indigenous Americans within the United States. Lecture 3hours.

High School Course Equivalent: 

Physical Geography

3 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC, USC

GEOG 101 is a spatial study of the Earth’s dynamic physical systems and processes. Topics include Earth-sun geometry, weather, climate, water, landforms, soil, and the biosphere. Emphasis is on the interrelationships among environmental and human systems and processes and their resulting patterns and distributions. Tools of geographic inquiry are also briefly covered; they may include: maps, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

High School Course Equivalent: 

Geography 111

Physical Geography Laboratory

1 Unit

GEOG 111 is the laboratory course for Physical Geography. Laboratory exercises include the observation and interpretation of weather data, statistical analysis of climate data, development of cartographic techniques, map interpretation, aerial photography interpretation, and landform description and analysis. Local field trips are required.

High School Course Equivalent: 

History118

U.S. History 1865-present

3 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC, USC

HIST 118 is a survey course that looks in depth at United States history from the Reconstruction period to the present. The Reconstruction period, the Gilded Age, Populism and Progressivism, Imperialism, the Great Depression and New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, Vietnam, Watergate, and the Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Obama years are examined.

High School Course Equivalent:

11th grade US History 

World History 1500-present

3 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC

HIST102  is a general political survey of the world from the 1500s to the present, with emphasis on the development of human ideas, arts, and institutions. The characteristics of the medieval and modern worlds are examined. The principles (cultural, social, economic, and political) which brought the modern world into being are analyzed

High School Course Equivalent:

10th grade World History 

STAT C1000

Statistics

4 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC, USC

MATH 136 is a one-semester course designed for students whose major requires a course in statistics. Topics in this course include: the nature of statistical methods, types of data, introductory probability, sampling theory, experimental design, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and decision making. Emphasis will be placed on the application of statistical concepts to real world data, development of statistical reasoning, and the interpretation of results.

High School Course Equivalent:

12th grade Math 

COMM C1000 

Into to 

Public Speaking

3 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC

SPCH 101 is an introductory course focusing on public speaking – the process of learning to speak in front of a group of people in a structured, deliberate, organized manner in a variety of public speaking environments. Through their reading of research-based theories and principles of human communication, and critical analysis of public discourse, students learn to research, compose, present and evaluate various types of speeches including informative and persuasive presentations. The course focuses on developing skills in the areas of language, listening, ethics and diversity, audience analysis, evidence evaluation, presentation skills and oral communication effectiveness. Through class discussions, written assignments, verbal and nonverbal communication exercises, and oral presentations, students learn the essential elements of public speaking and how extemporaneous speeches are used in personal and professional contexts. This course satisfies speech requirements for those students who expect to transfer to colleges and universities.

High School Course Equivalent:

Social Sciences

Student development 101

College Success Strategies

1 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU

ST DV 101 is dedicated to ensuring students’ college success and motivating their journeys toward lifelong learning. Students develop their own plan for personal, academic, and career success through self-evaluation, application of specific techniques, and classroom activities. Topics include effective study strategies, short and long-term goals, time management, and campus resources. This course is about making choices, especially those about setting and meeting personal, academic, and career goals.

Note: This course is Pass/No Pass only.

Improving College Performance And Study Skills

ST DV 141 is designed to help students develop effective academic study skills and critical thinking strategies to reach desired educational goals. The completion of this course prepares students to learn academic success strategies, such as principles of memory and learning, motivation and concentration, effective note-taking, textbook study methods, efficient time management, test-taking strategies, stress management, and develop knowledge of campus resources. 

Note: This course is Pass/No Pass only.

High School Course Equivalent

Student Development 145

Achieving Academic and Career Success

3 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC

ST DV 145 is a survey course designed to increase academic motivation and career success throughout the life span. The primary goal of this course is to examine how an individual’s psychological, social, physical, and environmental factors impact academic achievement and academic, career and personal life choices. Topics include learning theory, achievement motivation, identity development, critical thinking strategies, study and time management techniques, career exploration, decision making, and vocational planning.

High School Course Equivalent: 

POLS C1000

Introduction to Government

3 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC, USC

POL S 101 is an introduction to the principles, institutions, policies, and politics of government in the United States and California.

High School Course Equivalent:

12th grade Social Science - Government 

Theatre Arts 101

Introduction to Theatre

3 Units

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC, USC

T ART 101 introduces students to elements of the theatre arts production process as a collaborative art form including playwriting, acting, directing, design, and criticism. While exploring its elements, practices, and collaborators, its historical, social, political, and economic context will be examined. Note: During the semester, students are expected to attend professional and Glendale Community College Theatre Arts Department productions as a part of the learning process.

High School Course Equivalent:

Fine Arts