Liberal Arts - English A. A. Degree
Are you interested in learning how to unlock the power of words to change minds, clarify confusion, mobilize action, or fund dreams? Then the Liberal Arts English major is for you! The study of English can empower you with the skills essential for success in any field. As an LA English major, you will develop the ability to:
- Write original documents that illustrate the effective gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing of information from various sources and contexts
- Synthesize complex ideas clearly and effectively, orally and in writing
- Devise practical, intellectual, and ethical solutions to issues through the application of critical reasoning skills
- Connect texts with the personal, social, cultural, ethical, and/or political dimensions of the human experience
- Articulate your place in human culture and the global society from a multidisciplinary perspective acquired through the study of the social sciences, humanities, history, natural sciences, mathematics, arts, and languages.
Courses in this major include traditional, online and hybrid sections, evening sections, and summer and winter sections. In addition, certain course offerings also include service-learning and Honors sections, which allow for advanced learning and research opportunities. Upon completing the AA degree in English, you will be well prepared for transfer to four-year colleges, where you can continue your studies in rhetoric, writing, and literature, or where you can begin other majors in and outside of the liberal arts.
With a BA degree in English, you can find potential employment in many different positions:
- Grant/Proposal Writers
- Paralegals/Lawyers
- Technical Writers (Health, Medical, Natural/Social Sciences, Business)
- Advertisers and Copy Writers
- Editors
- Critics
- Educators
- Public Relations Specialists
- Campaign Strategists/Speech Writers
- Search Engine Marketing Analysts
- Communications Specialists (corporate, internal, external)
- Corporate Bloggers
- Marketing Research Analysts
- Policy Analysts
- Publishers
- Journalists
- Gaming Writers
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers
- Librarians/Library Technicians
SEMESTER 1
Short Title : English Composition I
Course Code : ENG-121
Department Description : English
Course Description :
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
Prerequisites :
A passing score on the College Placement Test; or a grade of "C" or better in ENG-010 and RDG-011 (RDG-011 can be a co-requisite; or a grade of "C" or better in ESL-097 and ESL-098.
Co requisites :
RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
Short Title : GE Social Science Elective
Course Code : GE SS
Department Description : GE Social Science Elective
- Credit : 3
Short Title : GE Math Elective
Course Code : MAT-EL1
Department Description : Mathematics
- Credit : 3
Take MAT-123 or another 3-credit Math course designated in the College Catalog course descriptions as General Education MST (GE MST).
Short Title : History Elective
Course Code : HIS-EL2
Department Description : History and Social Science
- Credit : 3
Select one of the following History sequences:
HIS-121 and HIS-122 OR HIS-131 and HIS-132 OR HIS-221 and HIS-222
Short Title : Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Course Code : SPE-121
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description : Introduction to the theory and practice of public address; the study of representative public addresses and the preparation and delivery of short speeches.
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
OR
Short Title : Discussion and Debate
Course Code : SPE-123
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description : The development of clear, logical and effective speech communication is the goal of this basic discussion and debate course. The focus will be on reasoned decision making with the context of a free society. Topics will draw upon social values, personal responsibility and/or ethical behavior. Speech presentations will include large group discussions, panel discussions and debates that emphasize the ability to work in a team environment.
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
SEMESTER 2
Short Title : English Composition II
Course Code : ENG-122
Department Description : English
Course Description : Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing argument synthesis essays. Students engage in formal written argumentation based on extensive reading and analysis of complex texts. Through the research process, students will locate, analyze, and synthesize scholarly sources to advance their own informed positions on relevant issues in the composition of a formal research paper.
Prerequisites :
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
Short Title : GE Social Science Elective
Course Code : GE SS
Department Description : GE Social Science Elective
- Credit : 3
Take one of the following courses - PSY-123 or SOC-121 or SOC-122 or SOC-131
Short Title : GE Mathematics or Science Elective
Course Code : GE MathSci
Department Description : General Education
- Credit : 3
Choose one 3-credit GE Mathematics or Science course designated in the course descriptions as General Education MST (GE MST). Students may elect to take a 4-credit GE Mathematics or Science Elective in consultation with an academic advisor.
Short Title : History Elective
Course Code : HIS-EL2
Department Description : History and Social Science
- Credit : 3
Select one of the following History sequences:
HIS-121 and HIS-122 OR HIS-131 and HIS-132 OR HIS-221 and HIS-222
Short Title : GE Diversity Elective
Course Code : DVR-EL1
Department Description : History and Social Science
- Credit : 3
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Diversity (GE DIV).
SEMESTER 3
Short Title : English Elective
Course Code : ENG-EL1
Department Description : English
- Credit : 3
Short Title : GE - Language Elective
Course Code : LAN-EL1
Department Description : ESL/Languages and Culture
- Credit : 3
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM). Choose two modern language courses in sequence from either: CHN, FRE, GER, HIN, ITA or SPA. For students who completed at least two years of high school study in one modern language, their level of language will be determined by a placement test (excluding SPA-242).
Short Title : GE Laboratory Science Elective
Course Code : Laboratory Science
Department Description : Laboratory Science
- Credit : 4
Choose one 3-credit GE Lab Science course designated in the course descriptions as General Education MST (GE MST). Students may elect to take a 4-credit GE Lab Science Elective in consultation with an academic advisor.
Short Title : GE Humanities Elective
Course Code : HUM-EL2
Department Description : Humanities
- Credit : 3
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
Choose one course from the following areas: AFS, ART, ASL, BIO, CHM, CHN, CJU, COM, COR, DAN, EDU, ENG, FRE, GER, GLS, HCS, HES, HED, HIN, HIS, ITA, JOU, LNC, MAD, MAT, MUS, PED, PHI, PHY, POL, POS, PSY, SCI, SOC, SPA, SPE, SSD and THE.
SEMESTER 4
Short Title : English Elective
Course Code : ENG-EL1
Department Description : English
- Credit : 3
Short Title : GE - Language Elective
Course Code : LAN-EL1
Department Description : ESL/Languages and Culture
- Credit : 3
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM). Choose two modern language courses in sequence from either: CHN, FRE, GER, HIN, ITA or SPA. For students who completed at least two years of high school study in one modern language, their level of language will be determined by a placement test (excluding SPA-242).
Short Title : English Elective
Course Code : ENG-EL1
Department Description : English
- Credit : 3
Short Title : English Elective
Course Code : ENG-EL1
Department Description : English
- Credit : 3
Short Title : GE Technology Elective
Course Code : GE-MST
Department Description : General Education
- Credit : 3
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Program will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to paraphrase, summarize, evaluate, and analyze texts by composing coherent grammatical, persuasive, and well-developed essays.
- Compose a research paper demonstrating the ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize source materials and to cite information correctly.
- Demonstrate understanding of the formal features of literary texts.
- Interpret literature both orally and in witting.
- Demonstrate how literature informs our understanding of ourselves and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why study the Liberal Arts?
A Liberal Arts education is a broad-based program of study that exposes students to the Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Technology. The study of the Liberal Arts empowers students for success in transfer and a career in the diverse, ever-changing 21st century workplace. A Liberal Arts education equips students with invaluable employability skills including the ability to analyze and construct arguments, think critically, communicate effectively, and appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives. The cross-cultural knowledge, problem solving, and research and information literacy skills prepare students for civic engagement, life-long learning, and professional success.
Are there any requirements that must be satisfied before taking courses in the major?
Algebra I is a prerequisite for all majors. Competency in Algebra I may be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test or by completion of the appropriate course. Students must also have a grade of “C” or better in one year of high school laboratory science.
How long will it take to complete this degree?
Once students complete required developmental coursework (if any), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. Students may shorten the amount of degree completion time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.
Transfer Information
Our students transfer to 4-year colleges and universities around the globe. We’ve had students transfer to every state, including Alaska and Hawaii.
The Statewide Transfer Agreement for New Jersey ensures that students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree at a community college will have those credits fully transferable to a New Jersey public four-year institution, will have completed half of the credits required for a basic four-year degree and will have completed all lower division general education requirements. In addition, articulation agreements are being worked out with institutions granting baccalaureate degrees to facilitate the transfer process. Students should discuss the transfer process with an advisor.
Are you interested in transferring to a school in New Jersey? You can use the tools at NJTransfer.org to see which of your MCC courses will transfer to a specific college.