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Liberal Arts, Associate in Arts

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

ENGL101English I

3 credits

CMTH102Introduction to Communication

3 credits

PHIL201Introduction to Philosophy

3 credits

HISTHistory Elective ++

3 credits

 

Concentration Elective*

3 credits

OR

Elective ++

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Second Semester

ENGL151LEnglish II

3 credits

PSYC103Introduction to Psychology

3 credits

MATHMathematics Elective (QL)++

3 credits

 

SOCA103Principles of Sociology

3 credits

OR

SOCA102Cultural Anthropology

3 credits

 

Concentration Elective*

3 credits

OR

Elective ++

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Third Semester

CMTH110Introduction to the Theatre

3 credits

OR

MUSC101Introduction to Music

3 credits

OR

ARTA101Art History Survey

3 credits

OR

DANC101Dance History

3 credits

 

ENGLLiterature Elective ++

3 credits

MDLAModern Language +

3 credits

Science Elective (SCI) ++

3/4 credits

 

Concentration Elective*

3 credits

OR

Elective ++

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15-16

Fourth Semester

MDLAModern Language +

3 credits

POLSPolitical Science Elective ++

3 credits

Mathematics (QL) or Science (SCI) Elective ++

3/4 credits

 

Concentration Elective*

6 credits

OR

Electives ++

6

Total Credit Hours:15-16

Total Credit Hours: 60-62

  • For the Electives, students must select one course from the list of approved courses in the category of Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time (SIT).
  • The Mathematics (QL) and Science (SCI) electives must be selected from the list of approved general education courses in each of those categories.
  • One course should be designated as Diversity and Global Awareness (D).
  • One General Education course must be taken in a Writing Intensive (WI) section. In addition, students must select a second Writing Intensive course.
 
*See "Concentration" tab.

+ Six credits of the same modern language are required for graduation.

++ Electives for Liberal Arts:

Biological Science: any BIOS except not both BIOS105 and BIOS107

Chemistry: any CHEM except CHEM011, CHEM121, CHEM135

Communications: any CMTH except CMTH180, CMTH182, CMTH185, CMTH240, CMTH252

Computer Information Science: CISC101, CISC115

Economics: ECON201

English: ENGL201G, ENGL203G, ENGL205G, ENGL250G, ENGL251G, ENGL255G, ENGL256G, ENGL257G, ENGL260G, ENGL264G, ENGL265G

*ENGL211G, ENGL215G, ENGL253, ENGL258, and ENGL267 are not applicable literature electives, but may be used as other electives.

Geography: any GEOG

Geology: GEOL201

History: any HIST

Humanities: any HUMA

Journalism: JOUR101, JOUR204

Mathematics: any MATH except MATH020, MATH022, MATH026, MATH028, MATH103, MATH118, MATH119

Modern Languages: any MDLA

Music: any MUSC

Philosophy: any PHIL

Physical Education: any PHED to a maximum of 2 credits

Physics: any PHYS except PHYS215, PHYS225

Political Science: any POLS

Psychology: any PSYC

Sociology/Anthropology: any SOCA

*For a Concentration Elective in:

NOTE: Regarding majors in liberal arts - A student following one of the concentrations in liberal arts listed below or a student planning to major in another field will find it necessary to begin taking courses in that major field early in the program during the first year, and move the free elective to the second year.

English

Literature Elective and 3 other courses from the following:

ENGL201GBritish Literature I

3 credits

ENGL203GShakespeare

3 credits

ENGL205GAmerican Literature I

3 credits

ENGL211GPlays: Classical to Contemporary

3 credits

ENGL215GMulticultural Adolescent Literature

3 credits

ENGL250GLatin American Literature

3 credits

ENGL251GBritish Literature II

3 credits

ENGL253Creative Writing

3 credits

ENGL255GAmerican Literature II

3 credits

ENGL256GModern Poetry

3 credits

ENGL257G20th Century Literature by Women

3 credits

ENGL258Fiction Writing

3 credits

ENGL260GContemporary Literature

3 credits

ENGL264GIrish Literature

3 credits

ENGL265GAfrican-American Literature

3 credits

ENGL267Poetry Writing

3 credits

Environmental Studies

Select 4 courses from the following:

BIOS104Field Ecology

4 credits

GEOG121Environmental Sustainability

3 credits

GEOG140Investigating Climate Change

3 credits

GEOG271Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

4 credits

HUMA150Nature of the Environment

3 credits

BIOS104: if this course is used as a Science elective, it cannot also be counted toward the concentration elective.

GEOG121: this course cannot also be used as a Science elective.


History

History Elective and 3 other courses from the following:

HIST103Ancient and Medieval History

3 credits

HIST113American History I

3 credits

HIST121The Black Experience

3 credits

HIST123African Civilizations

3 credits

HIST140Modern Chinese History

3 credits

HIST153Foundations of Modern European History - 1300-1815

3 credits

HIST163American History II

3 credits

HIST165The American Experience of Warfare

3 credits

HIST166Civil War and Reconstruction

3 credits

HIST168History of the Middle East

3 credits

HIST173Modern European History - 1815-Present

3 credits

HIST210History of Modern Science

3 credits

HIST211History of Pennsylvania

3 credits

Philosophy

PHIL201 and 3 other courses from the following:

PHIL111On Death and Dying

3 credits

PHIL121World Religions

3 credits

PHIL202Ethics & Moral Problems

3 credits

PHIL204Asian Philosophies

3 credits

PHIL211Ancient Philosophy

3 credits

PHIL215Modern Philosophy

3 credits

PHIL220Existentialism

3 credits

PHIL225What is Freedom?

3 credits

Political Science

POLS101 and 3 other courses from the following:

POLS105GAmerican Constitutional Law

3 credits

POLS110American National Government

3 credits

POLS150Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution (Study Abroad)

3 credits

POLS170Politics of Modern Turkey (Study Abroad)

3 credits

POLS202International Relations

3 credits

POLS205Women and Politics

3 credits

POLS251State and Local Government

3 credits

Sociology

SOCA102, SOCA103, and 2 courses from the following:

SOCA105American Ethnicity

3 credits

SOCA125Sociology of Families

3 credits

SOCA150Deviance

3 credits

SOCA160Issues in Contemporary Genocide and Mass Violence

3 credits

SOCA204Social Problems

3 credits

SOCA210Sociology of Gender

3 credits

Women's and Gender Studies

Select 4 courses from the following (and/or Special Studies in various disciplines):

ENGL257G20th Century Literature by Women

3 credits

HUMA140GIntroduction to Women and Gender Studies

3 credits

POLS205Women and Politics

3 credits

PSYC265Psychology of Sex & Gender

3 credits

SOCA210Sociology of Gender

3 credits