Northampton Community College - Liberal Arts, Associate in Arts

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Overview

Narrative

The Liberal Arts program offers students planning to complete a bachelor's degree a strong foundation in both general education and a selected field of concentration. The curriculum has been designed to meet the requirements for the first two years of BA programs at many of the schools to which Northampton students commonly transfer. Northampton has also negotiated a number of Liberal Arts transfer agreements, including dual admissions agreements, with many regional colleges and universities.

Liberal Arts majors often go on to careers in communications, management, public relations, marketing, and the arts. Their generalist background makes them readily employable at many levels in a wide range of career choices.

Features

The program is both solid and flexible and provides an excellent, tailored preparation for transfer. Students who are undecided about their future major can explore different options by taking elective courses in various departments. Or electives can be chosen to concentrate in English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, or Women's and Gender Studies, in order to prepare to major in these disciplines at a transfer institution. Students are encouraged to start taking classes in the chosen concentration in the first semester.

Freedom of choice in this major extends to scheduling as well: courses are available both day and evening, on campus or online.

Concentrations

English Concentration

Students may begin their path to a BA in English or a related field by using the elective credits in the Liberal Arts program toward a concentration in English. To complete the concentration students may select four courses from any of the 200 level English courses.

In English courses students learn how to read and analyze pieces of writing and to respond critically in their own words. A major in English is widely applicable to future careers in journalism, publishing, teaching, business and government.

Environmental Studies Concentration

Students may begin their path to a B. A. in Environmental Studies, or toward career pathways in non-governmental organizations and public service, by selecting 12 credits of course work in Environmental Studies. The Environmental Studies concentration allows a student in the humanities who has an interest in the environment, environmental philosophy, and sustainability to focus his or her coursework in this area.

History Concentration

Students may begin their path to a BA in History by using the elective credits in the Liberal Arts program toward a concentration in History. Students may select 12 credits from any of the history courses.

History is a way of studying the past in order to understand the present. It focuses on how societies, cultures, institutions, and even ideas change over time. The richness of a concentration in this field might include learning Ancient, Modern, European, Eastern, and various aspects of American history. Intellectually, historians subject evidence, such as documents and secondary sources, to critical analysis. The reading, thinking, and writing required in the history concentration provide an excellent foundation to a wide range of majors and occupations that value these skills.

Philosophy Concentration

Students may prepare for a BA in Philosophy, or begin a pathway to a variety of degrees and careers including law, teaching, and public service, by using the elective credits in the Liberal Arts program toward a concentration in Philosophy. Students need to complete Introduction to Philosophy, and select three additional courses from the following: On Death and Dying, World Religions, Ethics and Moral Problems, Asian Philosophies, Ancient Philosophy, Modern Philosophy or Existentialism.

Philosophy makes life more intellectually interesting, deeply meaningful, and ultimately rewarding. Training includes analysis, argument, interpretation, judgment, creative and critical thinking. Students learn reading, reasoning, speaking, and writing at advanced levels - all transferable skills, for further academics and employment.

Political Science Concentration

Students may begin their path to a BA in Political Science by using the elective credits in the Liberal Arts program toward a concentration in Political Science. Students must take Introduction to Political Science, and may select the remaining three courses from any of the political science courses.

The study of political science provides a way of understanding political processes, governmental systems, and political behavior of individuals or groups in settings ranging from the global to the local. Students learn to analyze political events both in the US and in countries and regions around the world using the key skills of observation, critical thinking, and writing.

Sociology Concentration

Students may begin their path to a BA in Sociology or a related field by using the elective credits in the Liberal Arts program toward a concentration in Sociology. Students must take Cultural Anthropology and Principles of Sociology, and may select the remaining two courses from American Ethnicity, Sociology of Families, Issues in Genocide & Mass Violence, Deviance, Sociology of Gender, and Social Problems.

Sociology allows students to study the society they live in by examining various groups within societies, cultural traditions, and social problems. Students learn the skills of observation, critical thinking, and writing.

Women's and Gender Studies Concentration

Students may begin their interdisciplinary work in Women's and Gender Studies by applying the elective credits in the Liberal Arts program toward this concentration. To complete the concentration, students may take any four of the following: 20th Century Literature by Women, Psychology of Sex and Gender, Sociology of Gender, Introduction to Women and Gender Studies, and Women and Politics.

Courses in Women's and Gender Studies allow students to understand and develop an awareness of the impact of gender on the human condition as reflected in the sciences and arts as well as in day-to-day life. Students will be able to communicate and use critical thinking skills in evaluating gender theory as they apply it to disciplines including psychology, sociology, literature, political science and others. Given that gender is a universal human condition, a concentration in Women's and Gender Studies is appropriate for students on virtually any educational path, but is especially valuable for those interested in pursuing a career in the social sciences.

Contact the Admissions Office at 610.861.5500 for further information.

Transfer to majors in: English History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology

NCC students have transferred to: East Stroudsburg University, Kutztown University, West Chester University, Moravian College, DeSales University, Albright College, Cedar Crest College, Penn State, Temple University

Outcomes

Graduates of the program will:

Understand the historical and cultural contexts of contemporary civilization.
Evaluate and discuss diverse points of view.
Communicate ideas effectively.
Speak and understand a modern language other than English.
Retrieve, evaluate, and apply information from a range of sources.
Develop strategies for solving both abstract and practical problems.

Courses

First Semester

COLS101	College Success	1 credits
CMTH102	Introduction to Communication	3 credits
ENGL101	English I	3 credits
PSYC103	Introduction to Psychology	3 credits
MATH	Mathematics Elective (QL)	3/4 credits
HIST	History Elective ++	3 credits
Total Credit Hours:		16-17

Second Semester

ENGL151L	English II	3 credits
	Science Elective (SCI)	3/4 credits

PHIL201	Introduction to Philosophy	3 credits
	OR
PHIL202	Ethics & Moral Problems	3 credits

CMTH110	Introduction to the Theatre	3 credits
	OR
MUSC101	Introduction to Music	3 credits
	OR
DANC101	Dance History	3 credits
	OR
ARTA101	Art History Survey	3 credits

SOCA102	Cultural Anthropology	3 credits
	OR
SOCA103	Principles of Sociology	3 credits
Total Credit Hours:		15-16

Third Semester

MDLA	Modern Language +	3 credits
	Mathematics (QL) or Science (SCI) Elective	3/4 credits
ENGL	Literature Elective ++	3 credits
	Elective ++	3 credits
	Elective ++	3 credits
Total Credit Hours:		15-16