Announcement of Curricula

    Major

• Labor and Community Studies

• Cesar Chavez
• Solidarity Forever/Si Se Puede

Degree Curriculum

The Labor and Community Studies Department offers a two-year degree program in labor, community and environmental advocacy. It prepares students for transfer to similar programs at four-year colleges and universities and for careers in public interest work. It teaches students the contributions of working class people to American society, with a special focus on organized labor, immigrants, people of color, women and LGBT people. It gives a thorough grounding in the rights of employees, including union rights. It offers specialized instruction in the history and current status of movements for social change and includes classes in organizing, community economics, community arts and political advocacy. It combines class work with internships and connects students to the broader community of public interest advocates.

Students who satisfy the requirements for graduation from the College and complete the required Labor and Community Studies courses with the average grade of C (2.00 grade-point average) or higher receive the degree of Associate in Arts in Labor and Community Studies.

Admission. Enrollment in Labor and Community Studies is open to all interested students. College counselors orient students to the program and help them set up a course of study that is appropriate to their educational needs.

Course of Study. The course of study includes instruction in working class history, workplace rights, union and community organizing, economics, politics, art and social change, community advocacy, environmental justice, communications, public relations and organizational development, among others.

Electives are recommended to strengthen students’ skills in specific areas, to fulfill overall degree requirements and to facilitate transfer to associated four-year programs.

The Faculty. The faculty consists of scholars and practitioners of public interest work in unions, community groups, environmental organizations and government. They bring up to date, cutting edge information from their fields of interest to the students in the classroom, and provide them with a rich range of internship opportunities.

Transfer. Students have a wide range of transfer options to four-year colleges available to them after completion of the Labor and Community Studies program. This program prepares them for continuing education in Labor, Community and Environmental Studies, and in the social sciences and humanities.

Employment. Students are advised to seek a four-year degree as the most direct route to good careers in public interest employment. On the way to achieving that goal, the program helps them obtain internships and entry-level positions. This complements their classroom work and makes them attractive candidates for good jobs once they’re done with college. These include positions with unions, labor advocacy organizations, community and environmental groups and government agencies. Union positions include work as negotiators, field representatives, organizers, researchers, educators and lobbyists. Community and environmental positions include those in outreach and development, lobbying, membership and coalition building, education and communication. Work with government agencies includes enforcement, outreach and education.

Labor and Community Studies

Courses Required for the Major in Labor and Community Studies

First Semester

Course                                                           Units
LBCS 70A Who Built America? From the colonial Era to the 
    Civil War and Reconstruction.................................. 3
POLS 1 American Government ....................................... 3
LBCS 81 Organizing for Econ & Soc Justice ........................ 3
Additional graduation requirements

LBCS 70B Who Built America? From Reconstruction to the Present ... 3
LBCS 93A Workers & Unions in Lit & the Arts
    or LBCS 93D Wrk Tales: Labor Drama Workshop
    or LBCS 98A Beg Labor Heritage Chorus
    and LBCS 98B Inter Labor Heritage Chorus
    and LBCS 98C Adv Labor Heritage Chorus ....................... 3
SPCH 1A Elements of Public Speaking .............................. 3
Additional graduation requirements

LBCS 100 Racial Conflict & Class Solid in Amer ................... 3
WKEX 303 Gen Career Work Exp-Service Learning Internship ......... 3
Additional graduation requirements
    Total Units ................................................. 24

Recommended electives: ASAM 20; BIO 20; BCST 104; CDEV 93; ECON 25, 30; ENGL 55, 57; HLTH 221X; HIST 12A/B, 15A/B, 21, 41A/B, 45; IDST 36, 37, 45, 80, 81; JOUR 21; LALS 11; POLS 12, 22, 25; PSYC 22/23; TH A 17

The programs of study for the Certificates of Completion in Labor and Community Studies prepare students for advocacy careers and for lives as active members of their communities. These programs teach the history of organized labor and social change movements. They teach students how to organize, communicate and motivate. They combine class work with public interest internships and connect students with transfer and career opportunities. The certificates are named for slogans, songs and people from working people’s history.

Admission. Enrollment is open to all interested students. College counselors orient students to the programs and help them set up a course of study that is appropriate to their educational needs.

Credit Certificate Programs

The Labor and Community Studies Program offers two credit certificate programs. They build on the coursework in the noncredit certificate programs and provide a bridge to the major. Students may enroll in the certificate programs after completing work in the noncredit certificates or they may enter the program at the credit level. Like the major, the credit certificates prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and for advocacy careers.

Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez (1927-1993) was a civil rights and union leader and first president of the United Farm Workers Union.

This certificate requires the student to complete 12 units of coursework from the following list with a grade of “C” or higher for each course.

Courses Required for the Certificate of Completion in  Level 4: The Cesar Chavez Advocacy Certificate

Course                                                           Units
LBCS 70A or 70B Who Built America?................................ 3
LBCS 81 Organizing for Econ & Soc Justice ........................ 3
LBCS 96C Labr Relat in the Modern Am Wrkplce...................... 3
LBCS 93A Workers & Unions in Lit & the Arts
    or LBCS 93D Wrk Tales: Labr Drama Wrkshp
    or LBCS 98A Beg Labor Heritage Chorus
    and LBCS 98B Inter Labor Heritage Chorus
    and LBCS 98C Adv Labor Heritage Chorus........................ 3
    Total Units.................................................. 12

Solidarity Forever is the anthem of the U. S. labor movement. Si Se Puede, “Yes We Can!” is the slogan of the United Farm Workers Union.

This certificate requires the student to complete 9 units of coursework from the following list with a grade of “C” or higher for each course. The student must complete the Level 4 certificate prior to completing the Level 5 certificate.

Courses Required for the Certificate of Completion in  Level 5: The Solidarity Forever/Si Se Puede Advocacy Certificate

Core Courses                                                     Units
LBCS 100 Racial Confl & Class Solida in Amer...................... 3
LBCS elective or elective from collaborating dept................. 3
WKEX 303 General Career Work Exp-Internhip........................ 3
    Total Units................................................... 9

Recommended electives: ASAM 20; BIO 20; BCST 104; CDEV 93; ECON 25, 30; ENGL 55, 57; HLTH 221X; HIST 12A/B, 15A/B, 21, 41A/B, 45; IDST 36, 37, 45, 80, 81; JOUR 21; LALS 11; POLS 12, 22, 25; PSYC 22/23; TH A 17