GENERAL INFORMATION SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GENERAL CATALOG 2014–2015 Effective fall 2014 through summer 2015 2014–2015 CATALOG TEAM Southwestern College 900 Otay Lakes Road COVER ART: Brenda Mora and Jose Islas Chula Vista, CA 91910-7299 (619) 421-6700 EDITORIAL: Veronica Burton, Mark Samuels, Patti Larkin, Jessie Reyes, Susan Brenner, To request this material in an alternate Donna Arnold, Jeffrey Fischer, and Brian Ebalo format, contact Disability Support Services at FRONT PAGES: Veronica Burton, Mark 619-482-6512 OR TTY 619-482-6470. Samuels and Patti Larkin ACCREDITATION PROGRAMS: Brian Ebalo, Maria Abuan, Southwestern College is accredited Donna Arnold and Veronica Burton by the Accrediting Commission for the Community and Junior Colleges of the COURSES: Jeffrey Fischer, Maria Abuan, Western Association of Schools and Colleges Donna Arnold and Veronica Burton 10 Commercial Boulevard Suite 204, Novato, California 94949 BACK PAGES: Jessie Reyes, Susan Brenner, (415) 506-0234 Brian Ebalo and Veronica Burton www.accjc.org DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Brenda Mora This institutional accrediting body is recognized by the Council for Higher Education PHOTOGRAPHY: Jose Islas and Brenda Mora and the U.S. Department of Education. 2014–2015 SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE CATALOG 1 CATALOG CONTENT DISCLAIMER The Southwestern Community College HOW TO USE THIS District has made every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of this catalog at the time it was published. All catalog information is subject to change without notice. The District reserves the right to GENERAL INFORMATION CATALOG TO... make changes to courses, programs, requirements, and other matters in … GET INFORMATION: See the catalog’s INDEX to find what you’re looking for response to student enrollment, level of quickly, the ACADEMIC CALENDER on the catalog’s inside front cover for financial support, or any other reason. important dates and deadlines, and the MAPS in the back of this catalog to The district further reserves the right to learn more about Southwestern College’s (SWC) campuses and where things add, amend, or repeal any of its rules, are located on them. regulations, policies, and procedures, consistent with applicable laws. … find out about requirements for ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Turn to page 59. Addenda to the Southwestern Community College Catalog can be … develop a path for TRANSFER TO EARN YOUR BA/BS at a four-year college found at www.swccd.edu. Addenda or a university like a campus of the University of California or California State may contain important updates to University: See pages 72–76, where you will learn about the requirements graduation, degree, and transfer for the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) and information after the catalog has been other programs that can help you choose the classes that fulfill your transfer printed. It is the responsibility of students requirements. to check for these addenda. … Learn about the requirements for our many CERTIFICATES OF ACHIEVEMENT: See the Majors and Areas of Emphasis section, starting on page 98. … figure out HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE: See the Financial Aid information on page 37. … discover the wide array of SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT SERVICES–as well as HONORS & AWARDS–that SWC offers students, on page 33. … find out WHO’S WHO IN THE SWC COMMUNITY: See page 475 for information about our administrators, staff, and the instructors who will be teaching your classes. … learn the details about HOW THINGS WORK here at SWC: Read the College’s ACADEMIC POLICIES AND REGULATIONS, which start on page 79. 2 SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE CATALOG 2014–2015 GENERAL INFORMATION SUPERINTENDENT/PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Welcome to Southwestern College and the 2014–2015 academic year. We are entering one of the most exciting times in the history of the college. The economy is beginning to improve, and we are able to slowly restore our number of class sections. We are also transforming the landscape of the campus—planning and building new instructional buildings and facilities that will open new access to our students and community. Southwestern College offers more than 312 degree and certificate options at our Chula Vista campus and Higher Education Centers in National City, Otay Mesa and San Ysidro and the Crown Cove Aquatic Center. As we begin this academic year, we are focusing our efforts on new academic initiatives that will improve student achievement. It is our commitment to create avenues of success for every student. Whether this is your first semester with us or you are finishing the last classes before you SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY transfer, our dedicated faculty, staff and administrators are here to help you achieve your goals. COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD OF TRUSTEES I wish you the best for a successful year. Terri Valladolid, President Norma L. Hernandez, Vice President Tim Nader Humberto Peraza, Jr. Nora E. Vargas Sayaka Ridley, Student Trustee Melinda Nish, Ed.D. (June 2014–May 2015) Superintendent/President Melinda Nish, Ed.D., Superintendent/President MISSION STATEMENT Southwestern Community College District serves a diverse community of students by providing a wide range of dynamic and high quality educational programs and comprehensive student services. The District provides educational opportunities in the following areas: • associate degree and certificate programs • transfer • professional, technical, and career advancement • basic skills • personal enrichment • noncredit adult education • community services; and • economic, workforce, and community development We promote student learning and success by committing to continuous improvement that includes planning, implementation, assessment, and evaluation. 2014–2015 SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE CATALOG 3 GUIDING STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) describe the knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies, PRINCIPLES attitudes, beliefs, opinions, or values students gain as a result of learning. SLOs are assessed Southwestern College is chartered across the college in all academic programs, student services, and administrative offices. by the State of California to provide Southwestern College faculty and staff are committed to communicating expectations for lower-division educational programs student learning and to supporting students in all aspects of their educational development. that prepare students for transfer to GENERAL INFORMATION senior institutions, career and technical All college SLOs are aligned to five Institutional Student Learning Outcome areas identified programs leading to direct entry into as critical for students to develop during their experiences in college courses and programs. the workforce or career advancement. It is also chartered to provide basic skills that prepare students for college-level educational pursuits and to contribute to INSTITUTIONAL STUDENT LEARNING the economic development of our region. Within that context, the Governing Board OUTCOMES adopted the Southwestern College COMMUNICATION SKILLS (LISTENING, SPEAKING, READING, WRITING) Mission Statement. 1. Listen and speak actively and critically to identify a person’s position and then analyze it to determine its quality. Selecting a program of study is one of 2. Present ideas in a clear and organized way to others. the most important decisions a student 3. Analyze and evaluate text in writing. will make. The following pages present a complete listing of programs, degree requirements, and courses, as well as THINKING AND REASONING (CREATIVE THINKING, CRITICAL THINKING, information about the many services the QUANTITATIVE REASONING) College District provides to assist students 4. Formulate and share ideas, analyze the ideas of others, integrate them into their thinking. in reaching their educational goals. 5. Assess and analyze data and information as they investigate issues and solve problems. 6. Use quantitative reasoning to identify, analyze and solve quantitative problems. Southwestern College offers many transfer and vocational/career programs INFORMATION COMPETENCY (RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY) in a variety of departments which are 7. Research topics by identifying, analyzing, and assessing the ideas from a variety of needed to prepare a student for transfer sources to conduct research. to a college or university or employment 8. Students will use print material and technology to identify research needs and develop in business and industry. In addition to and evaluate information effectively and responsibly. the major educational programs taught at the Chula Vista campus, the College GLOBAL AWARENESS AND ETHICS (SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND CIVIC District also offers courses at Higher RESPONSIBILITY) Education Centers throughout the South 9. Collegially work with diverse groups of people. County area and the Crown Cove Aquatic 10. Identify and examine the cultural values of different ethnic groups in a sensitive and Center in Coronado. respectful manner. 11. Analyze and evaluate the influence that science, mass media, politics, socio-economics, Faculty and staff at Southwestern College technology, lifestyle, art, environment, or history have on society. have earned an outstanding reputation. 12. Analyze and critique the ethical implications of decision-making on personal behavior, Faculty possess substantial academic and and on social, political, or economic institutions. professional backgrounds. Whether they 13. Evaluate and determine if a given set of economic, social, and environmental systems are writing books, composing music,