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 Contact Information

Chairperson: Mathew Spano
Dept. Assistant: Tracey Esser
Phone: 732-906-2591
Fax: 732-906-4183
Email: english_department@middlesexcc.edu
Location: Raritan Hall, Rm 237

English Department
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 Contact Information

Chairperson: Mathew Spano
Dept. Assistant: Tracey Esser
Phone: 732-906-2591
Fax: 732-906-4183
Email: english_department@middlesexcc.edu
Location: Raritan Hall, Rm 237

Liberal Arts - Writing A.A. Degree

Strong writing skills are essential for success in many occupations. Students taking the “Writing” option will acquire writing skills of various kinds: creative, professional/technical, journalistic, and “transactional” (business, managerial, or “work-world”). Students are required to take a minimum of 12 credit hours, selecting at least four courses from the list of 8 courses below — which comprise the Writing “Major” (or Liberal Arts Writing Option).

ENG 235 Creative Writing I 3 credits
ENG 236 Creative Writing: Poetry 3 credits
ENG 237 Creative Writing: Prose 3 credits
ENG 238 Technical Writing 3 credits
ENG 240 Business Communication 3 credits
ENG 260 Scriptwriting 3 credits
JOU 201 Introduction to Journalism 3 credits
JOU 202 Feature Writing 3 credits
JOU 203 Copyediting 3 credits
JOU 204 Journalism Seminar 3 credits

SEMESTER I

3

Take PSY-123 or SOC-121

3

Take MAT-123 or another 3-credit Math course designated in the College Catalog course descriptions as General Education MST (GE MST).

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

OR

SEMESTER 2

3

Take one of the following courses - PSY-123 or SOC-121 or SOC-122 or SOC-131

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.

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

3

Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Diversity (GE DIV).

SEMESTER 3

3

Select from ENG-235, ENG-236, ENG-237, ENG-238, ENG-240, ENG-260 , JOU-201, JOU-202, JOU-203 and JOU-204.

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).

3

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.

3

Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).

3

Choose one course from the following areas: AFS, AGD, ART, ASL, BIO, CHM, CHN, CJU, COM, COR, CPT, DAN, DMA, EDU, ENG, FRE, FSC, GER, GLS, HCS, HED, HIN, HIS, IDC, ITA, JOU, LNC, MAD, MAT, MUS, PCP, PED, PHI, PHY, POL, POS, PSY, SCI, SOC, SPA, SPE, SSD and THE.

SEMESTER 4

3

Select from ENG-235, ENG-236, ENG-237, ENG-238, ENG-240, ENG-260 , JOU-201, JOU-202, JOU-203 and JOU-204.

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).

3

Select from ENG-235, ENG-236, ENG-237, ENG-238, ENG-240, ENG-260 , JOU-201, JOU-202, JOU-203 and JOU-204.

3

Select from ENG-235, ENG-236, ENG-237, ENG-238, ENG-240, ENG-260 , JOU-201, JOU-202, JOU-203 and JOU-204.

Total Credits: 60

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Program will be able to:

  • Articulate their place in human culture and the global society from a multi-disciplinary perspective acquired.
  • 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.
  • Create original documents that illustrate effective gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing of information from various sources and contexts.
  • Connect literary works with the personal, social, cultural, ethical, and/or political dimensions of the human experience.
  • Write original compositions that demonstrate control of style and mastery of the concepts inherent in a variety of writing genres.

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.

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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.