General Education/Discipline Studies

Candidates for all PCC degrees are required to complete credits from General Education/Disciplines Studies. PCC courses which meet the requirement are detailed in the table of General Education/Discipline Studies. Students are responsible for consulting the institution to which they will transfer to determine how the credits will be accepted.

PCC General Education/Discipline Studies Philosophy

The Philosophy Statement

The faculty of Portland Community College affirms that a prime mission of the College is to aid in the development of educated members of society. Ideally, such individuals possess:

  • understanding of their culture and how it relates to other cultures
  • appreciation of history both from a global perspective and from a personal perspective, including an awareness of the role played by gender and by various cultures
  • understanding of themselves and their natural and technological environments
  • ability to reason qualitatively and quantitatively
  • ability to conceptually organize experience and discern its meaning
  • aesthetic and artistic values
  • understanding of the ethical and social requirements of responsible participation in society

Such endeavors are a lifelong undertaking. The General Education component of the associate's degree programs represents a major part of the College’s commitment to that process.

Approval of General Education Requirements

General Education requirements for degrees are recommended to the administration for approval by the EAC Degrees and Certificates Committee and the EAC. Candidates for any PCC associate's degree must satisfactorily complete the specific General Education requirements for that degree. Check specific degree requirements for details.

The General Education credits must come from the approved PCC General Education/Discipline Studies List.

In order to ensure a breadth of learning, which is the cornerstone of the General Education requirements, the following limitations apply:

  1. Courses taken to satisfy the basic college competencies in composition and mathematics will not be accepted.
  2. For AAS Degrees, no more than two courses may come from courses required by specific programs.*
  3. When an existing course meeting a General Education requirement is expanded into a multi-course sequence with the same course number with varying suffixes (e.g., 101 becomes 101a, 101b, 101c), any course in the sequence may be used to meet the General Education requirement. However, an individual student may use only one course in the sequence toward fulfillment of the requirement, even if the student takes multiple courses in the sequence.

*Note: Because of these restrictions, it is possible that a course is acceptable as General Education for some students while it is not acceptable for others. Degree candidates who are unsure of how the General Education Policy applies to their individual cases are responsible for seeking help from an advisor or counselor.

The complete and official list of courses approved as General Education/Discipline Studies is maintained by the Curriculum/General Education Committee of the Educational Advisory Council.

Criteria for General Education/Discipline Studies Course Approval are developed by the Curriculum Committee of the EAC based on the General Education Philosophy statement and the statewide outcomes and criteria for Discipline Studies for the AAOT. Courses seeking inclusion on the list follow the process for approval outlined on the Curriculum Office website. [http://www.pcc.edu/resources/academic/eac/curriculum/]

General Education/Discipline Studies

Arts and Letters
Science, Math, and Computer Sci
Social Sciences

Course Title Cultural Literacy Lab Science
Arts and Letters
ART 101 Understanding Architecture
ART 102 Understanding the Visual Arts
ART 103 Understanding New Media Arts
ART 115 Basic Design: 2D Foundations
ART 116 Basic Design: Color Foundations
ART 117 Basic Design: 3D Foundations
ART 119 Basic Design: 4D Foundations
ART 131A Drawing I
ART 140A Introduction to Digital Photography
ART 141 Introduction to Photography
ART 142A Darkroom Photography I
ART 143A Darkroom Photography II
ART 181A Painting I
ART 197 Artist Skills/Practical Issues
ART 203 Indigenous Art of the United States and Canada
ART 204 Global Art History: 65,000 BCE - 5th Century
ART 205 Global Art History: 6th Century - 1700
ART 206 Global Art History: 1700 to the Present
ART 207 History of Asian Art: Art and Architecture of India
ART 208 History of Asian Art: Art and Architecture of China
ART 209 History of Asian Art: Art and Architecture of Japan
ART 210 Women in Art
ART 211 Modern Art History: 19th Century Art in Europe & America
ART 212 Modern Art History: Early 20th Century Art
ART 213 Modern Art History: Art Since 1945
ART 214 History of Graphic Design
ART 216 Introduction to the History of Photography
ART 218A Calligraphy I: Roman Capitals and Humanist Bookhand
ART 218B Calligraphy I: Italic
ART 218C Calligraphy I: Carolingian and Uncial
ART 219A Hand Lettering: Monoline Techniques
ART 219B Hand Lettering: Special Tools
ART 219C Hand Lettering: Hand Drawn Letters
ART 220A Calligraphy II: Roman Capitals and Humanist Bookhand
ART 220B Calligraphy II: Italic
ART 220C Calligraphy II: Carolingian and Uncial
ART 231A Drawing II
ART 237A Drawing the Human Figure
ART 240A Photo II: Digital Photography
ART 243 The Photographic Portfolio
ART 244 Photo I: Black and White Photography
ART 253A Ceramics I
ART 254 Ceramics Hand Building
ART 255 Ceramics Wheel Throwing
ART 256A Ceramics II
ART 257 Ceramics and Plaster Molds
ART 272 Printmaking I Screenprinting
ART 273 Printmaking I Intaglio
ART 274 Printmaking I Relief
ART 275 Printmaking II
ART 277A Painting the Human Figure
ART 279A Experimental Media: Making and Meaning
ART 281A Painting II
ART 284A Watercolor I
ART 287A Watercolor II
ART 290A Sculpture: Plaster/Clay
ART 291A Sculpture: Carving
ART 292A Sculpture: Mixed Media
ART 293A Figure Sculpture
ART 294A Sculpture: Metals
ASL 201 American Sign Language IV
ASL 202 American Sign Language V
ASL 203 American Sign Language VI
ASL 240 Introduction to the Deaf Community
ASL 250 Accelerated American Sign Language III
ASL 251 Accelerated American Sign Language IV
CHLA 201 Intro to Chicanx/Latinx Studies: Historical Perspectives
CHLA 202 Intro to Chicanx/Latinx Studies: Contemporary Issues
CHLA 203 Intro to Chicanx/Latinx Studies: Making Culture
COMM 100Z Introduction to Communication (COMM100=COMM100Z)
COMM 111HZ Public Speaking: Honors (COMM111H=COMM111HZ)
COMM 111Z Public Speaking (COMM111=COMM111Z)
COMM 112 Argumentation, Advocacy, and Debate
COMM 140 Introduction to Intercultural Communication
COMM 204 Visual Communication for Media
COMM 215 Communicating in Teams and Small Groups
COMM 218Z Interpersonal Communication (COMM214=COMM218=COMM218Z)
COMM 227 Nonverbal Communication
COMM 228 Mass Communication and Society
COMM 237 Gender and Communication
ENG 104Z Introduction to Fiction (ENG104=ENG104Z)
ENG 105Z Introduction to Drama (ENG105=ENG105Z)
ENG 106Z Introduction to Poetry (ENG106=ENG106Z)
ENG 107 Introduction to World Literature (Up to 16th-Century)
ENG 108 Introduction to World Literature (16th-Century to Present)
ENG 195 Film Studies: Film as Art
ENG 196 Film Studies: Directors
ENG 197 Film Studies: Contemporary Themes and Genres
ENG 201 Shakespeare: Early Works
ENG 202 Shakespeare: Later Works
ENG 204 Survey of British Literature - Medieval Age to 1700s
ENG 205 Survey of British Literature - 1700 to Present
ENG 207 Literature of India
ENG 208 Literature of China
ENG 209 Literature of Japan
ENG 212 Biography and Autobiography
ENG 213 Latin American Literature
ENG 214 Literature of the Northwest
ENG 216 Teen and Children's Literature
ENG 217 Literature of Genocide
ENG 220 Literature of Comics and Graphic Novels
ENG 222 Images of Women in Literature
ENG 230 Environmental Literature
ENG 237 Working-Class Literature
ENG 240 Introduction to Native American Literatures
ENG 244 Introduction to Asian American Literature
ENG 250 Introduction to Folklore and Mythology
ENG 253 American Literature to 1865
ENG 254 American Literature from 1865
ENG 257 African American Literature to the Harlem Renaissance
ENG 258 African American Literature from the Harlem Renaissance
ENG 260 Introduction to Women Writers
ENG 261 Literature of Science Fiction
ENG 265 Literature of Social Protest
ENG 266 Literature of War
ENG 269 Wilderness Literature
ENG 275 The Bible as Literature
ES 244 Introduction to Asian American Literature
ES 252 Intro to Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies
ES 257 African American Literature to the Harlem Renaissance
ES 258 African American Literature from the Harlem Renaissance
ESOL 260 Level 8 Academic Reading
ESOL 262 Level 8 Academic Writing
FR 201 Second Year French - First Term
FR 202 Second Year French - Second Term
FR 203 Second Year French - Third Term
GER 201 Second Year German - First Term
GER 202 Second Year German - Second Term
GER 203 Second Year German - Third Term
HUM 100 Introduction to Humanities
HUM 221 Leadership Development
J 201 Mass Communication and Society
J 204 Visual Communication for Media
JPN 202 Second Year Japanese - Second Term
JPN 260A Japanese Culture
JPN 262A Japanese Popular Culture
MUS 105 Music Appreciation Through Listening
MUS 108 Music as Culture
MUS 110 Fundamentals of Music
MUS 111 Music Theory I
MUS 141 Intro to Songwriting
MUS 170 Music Technology: Beats and Basics
MUS 205 Introduction to the History of Jazz
MUS 206 Introduction to the History of Rock Music
MUS 207 History of American Roots Music
MUS 216 History of Hip Hop Music and Culture
MUS 236 Introduction to the Music of Latin America
MUS 291 Guitarology: History, Players and Innovators
NAS 201 Introduction to Native American Studies
NAS 203 Indigenous Art of the United States and Canada
NAS 240 Introduction to Native American Literatures
NAS 249 Introduction to Alaska Native Studies
PHL 191 Analysis & Evaluation of Argument
PHL 195 Science, Skepticism, & the Unknown
PHL 197 Manufacturing Reality: Critical Thinking and the Media
PHL 201 Being and Knowing
PHL 201H Being and Knowing: Honors
PHL 202 Ethics
PHL 202H Ethics: Honors
PHL 204 Philosophy of Religion
PHL 205 Biomedical Ethics
PHL 206 Introduction to Environmental Ethics
PHL 207 Ethics and Aging
PHL 208 Political Philosophy
PHL 209 Business Ethics
PHL 210 Introduction to Asian Philosophy
PHL 211 Existentialism
PHL 212 Introduction to Philosophy of Mind
PHL 221 Symbolic Logic
PHL 222 The Philosophy of Art and Beauty
R 201 Asian Religions
R 210 World Religions
RUS 201 Second Year Russian - First Term
RUS 202 Second Year Russian - Second Term
RUS 203 Second Year Russian - Third Term
RUS 241 Great Russian Writers-19th Century
RUS 242 Great Russian Writers-20th Century
SJ 210 Social Justice: Theory & Practice
SPA 201 Second Year Spanish - First Term
SPA 217 Spanish for Heritage Speakers - 1st Term
SPA 218 Spanish for Heritage Speakers - 2nd Term
SPA 260A Hispanic Culture
SPA 265A Spanish Culture
TA 101 Theatre Appreciation
TA 141 Fundamentals of Acting Techniques
WR 222 Writing Research Papers
WR 239 Creative Writing (Word & Image)
WR 240 Creative Writing - Nonfiction
WR 241 Creative Writing - Fiction
WR 242 Creative Writing - Poetry
WR 243 Creative Writing - Script Writing
WR 244 Advanced Creative Writing - Fiction
WR 245 Advanced Creative Writing - Poetry
WR 246 Advanced Creative Writing, Editing & Publishing
WR 247 Advanced Creative Writing - Scriptwriting
WR 248 Advanced Creative Writing - Nonfiction
WR 249 Advanced Creative Writing, Editing & Publishing II
WS 101 Women's Studies
WS 201 Intercultural Women's Studies
WS 202 Women, Activism and Social Change
WS 210 Introduction to Queer Studies
Science, Math, and Computer Sci
BI 101 Biology I
BI 101H Biology I: Honors
BI 102 Biology II
BI 103 Biology III
BI 112 Cell Biology for Health Occupations
BI 121 Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology I
BI 122 Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology II
BI 141 Habitats: Life of the Forest
BI 142 Habitats: Marine Biology
BI 143 Habitats: Freshwater Biology
BI 145 Intro. to Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Management
BI 163 Organic Gardening
BI 164 Bird Identification and Ecology
BI 200B Principles of Ecology: Field Biology
BI 202 Botany: An Introduction to the Plant Kingdom
BI 211 Principles of Biology I
BI 212 Principles of Biology II
BI 231 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
BI 232 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
CH 100 Everyday Chemistry with Lab
CH 104 Allied Health Chemistry I
CH 151 Preparatory Chemistry
CH 221 General Chemistry I
CH 222 General Chemistry II
CH 223 General Chemistry III
CIS 121 Information Systems and Programming
CIS 122 Introduction to Programming Logic
CS 160 Exploring Computer Science
ESR 140 Introduction to Sustainability
ESR 141 Introduction to Individual Sustainability
ESR 171 Environmental Science: Biological Perspectives
ESR 172 Environmental Science: Chemical Perspectives
ESR 173 Environmental Science: Geological Perspectives
ESR 200 Introduction to Environmental Systems
ESR 204 Introduction to Environmental Restoration
FN 110 Personal Nutrition
FN 114 Cultural Food Studies
G 147 Geology of the National Parks of the United States
G 148 Volcanoes and Earthquakes
G 184 Global Climate Change
G 201 Earth Materials and Tectonics
G 202 Earth Surface Processes
G 203 Evolution of Planet Earth
G 207 Geology of the Pacific Northwest
GS 106 Introduction to Earth Science Systems
GS 107 Physical Science (Astronomy)
GS 108 Physical Science (Oceanography)
GS 109 Physical Science (Meteorology)
MTH 105Z Math in Society (MTH105=MTH105Z)
MTH 111Z Precalculus I: Functions (MTH111=MTH111Z)
MTH 112Z Precalculus II: Trigonometry (MTH112=MTH112Z)
MTH 211 Foundations of Elementary Math I
MTH 212 Foundations of Elementary Math II
MTH 213 Foundations of Elementary Math III
MTH 241 Calculus for Management, Life and Social Science
MTH 244 Statistics II
MTH 251 Calculus I
MTH 252 Calculus II
MTH 253 Calculus III
MTH 254 Vector Calculus I
MTH 256 Differential Equations
MTH 261 Applied Linear Algebra I
PHY 100 Everyday Physics
PHY 101 Force, Motion, and Energy
PHY 102 Atoms, Matter, and Heat
PHY 103 Sound, Light, and Electricity
PHY 121 The Solar System
PHY 122 Stars and Stellar Evolution
PHY 123 Galaxies and Cosmology
PHY 201 General Physics
PHY 211 General Physics (Calculus)
STAT 243Z Elementary Statistics I (MTH/STAT243=STAT243Z)
Social Sciences
ATH 101 Introduction to Biological Anthropology
ATH 102 Introduction to Archaeology
ATH 103 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ATH 104 Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
ATH 160 Comparative Cultures
ATH 208 World Ethnography
ATH 209 Culture, Change, and the Individual
ATH 213 Environment, Food, and Resilience
ATH 214 Environment, Animals, and Culture
ATH 230 Indigenous Cultures and Communities of Oregon
ATH 231 Indigenous Cultures and Communities of the Pacific Northwest
ATH 232 Indigenous Cultures and Communities of U.S. and Canada
ATH 234 Death and Dying in Cross-Cultural Perspectives
ATH 235 Archaeology of the Americas
CG 191 Exploring Identity and Diversity for College Success
EC 200 Introduction to Economics
EC 201 Principles of Economics: Microeconomics
EC 202 Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics
EC 203 Principles of Economics: Applications to Economic Issues
EC 216 Labor Markets: Economics of Gender, Race, and Work
EC 221 Globalization and International Relations
EC 285 Introduction to Political Economy
ES 101 Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ES 250 Introduction to Black (Africana) Studies
ES 260 Decolonizing Education
ES 261 Applied Ethnic Studies I
ES 262 Applied Ethnic Studies II
GEO 105 Human Geography
GEO 106 World Regional Geography
GEO 110 The Natural Environment
GEO 170 Maps and Geospatial Concepts
GEO 202 Geography of Europe
GEO 204 Geography of Middle East
GEO 206 Geography of Oregon
GEO 209 Climate Change and Human Systems
GEO 212 Geography of Global Issues
GEO 215 Geography of Latin America
GEO 230 Geography of Race & Ethnicity
GEO 250 Geography of Africa
GEO 265 Intro to GIS & Mapping Techniques
HE 212 Women's Health
HE 213 Men's Health
HE 251 Community and Public Health
HE 262 Children's Health
HE 264 Food Systems and Public Health
HE 278 Human Health and the Environment
HEC 226 Child Development
HST 101 History of Western Civilization: Ancient to Medieval
HST 102 History of Western Civilization: Medieval to Modern
HST 103 History of Western Civilization: Modern Europe
HST 104 History of the Middle East
HST 105 History of India and South Asia
HST 106 History of China
HST 107 History of Korea and Japan
HST 121 World History, Ancient
HST 122 World History, Medieval and Early Modern
HST 123 World History, Modern
HST 201 History of the United States to 1840
HST 202 History of the United States 1840-1914
HST 203 History of the United States 1914 to Present
HST 204 History of Women in the U.S.: Pre-colonial to 1877
HST 205 History of Women in the U.S.: 1877 to Present
HST 218 American Indian History
HST 225 History of Global Sexualities and Families
HST 240 Oregon History
HST 244 Introduction to Viking History
HST 247 Religion in the United States since 1840
HST 250 African American History to 1877
HST 251 African American History since 1877
HST 270 History of Mexico
HST 271 History of Central America and the Caribbean
HST 277 History of the Oregon Trail
HST 285 The Holocaust
IDS 234 Introduction to the Culture of Human Health Research
INTL 201 Introduction to International Studies
PS 201 U.S. Government
PS 202 U.S. Public Policy & Democracy
PS 203 State and Local Government
PS 205 Global Politics: Conflict & Cooperation
PS 211 Peace and Conflict
PS 220 U.S. Foreign Policy
PS 221 Globalization and International Relations
PS 225 Political Ideologies: Idea Systems
PSY 101 Psychology and Human Relations
PSY 201AZ Introduction to Psychology I (PSY201A=PSY201AZ)
PSY 202AZ Introduction to Psychology II (PSY202A=PSY202AZ)
PSY 215 Human Development
SOC 204 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 205 Social Change
SOC 206 Social Problems
SOC 211 Peace and Conflict Studies
SOC 213 Diversity in the United States
SOC 214A Illumination Project I: Interactive Social Justice Theater
SOC 214B Illumination Project II: Interactive Social Justice Theater
SOC 214C Illumination Project III: Interactive Social Justice Theater
SOC 215 Social Movements
SOC 218 Sociology of Gender
SOC 219 Introduction to Sociology of Religion
SOC 221 Globalization and International Relations
SOC 223 Sociology of the Life Course
SOC 228 Introduction to Environmental Sociology
SOC 230 Introduction to Gerontology
SOC 231 Sociology of Healthy Aging
SOC 232 Death and Dying: Culture and Issues
SOC 234 Death: Crosscultural Perspectives