Sociology focuses on patterns of human behavior within social contexts, seeking to understand both the forces that mold us as individuals and the elements that govern our social existence. Sociology's subject arena ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from crime to religion, from the divisions of race, gender, and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. Courses offered in the curriculum may be taken to fulfill general education requirements in the social sciences; and they may be applied toward a major in sociology for the Associate in Arts degree.