Program Codes:
LACOM.AA
Associate in Arts Degree
This program provides graduates a foundation for lifelong intellectual development and college transfer following associate’s degree completion. A Liberal Arts degree also develops a set of critical thinking skills students may use over the course of their professional careers.
Below are required courses for program completion.
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students will 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.
RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
Take one of the two-course sequences below. Must take both courses in the chosen sequence.
This course is a survey of world history from the emergence of human settlements to the 15th century c.e. The course emphasizes social, cultural, economic, and political developments on the Asian, American, European, African and Pacific island landmasses. A special emphasis is given to comparing cultures over time and geographic space. The rise and decline of major civilizations, the transition from an agrarian to an urban economy, the role of women, and the origins of globalization are some of the major features discussed.
This course is a survey of world history from the 15th century c.e. to the present. The course emphasizes social, cultural, economic, and political developments on the Asian, American, European, African and Pacific island landmasses. A special emphasis is given to comparing cultures over time and geographic space. The rise and decline of major empires and states, the transition to a modern political economy, the role of women, the cause and effects of colonialism and imperialism and world wars, and the rise of globalization are some of the major features discussed.
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).
Students must take 12-15 credits in General Education Mathematics, Science, and Technology courses. Choose one or two science courses (GE MST), one or two math courses (GE MST) and one technology course, in consultation with an academic advisor. For the technology elective, choose either CSC-105 or CSC-106.
Choose courses designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Diversity (GE DIV).
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, SSD, SOC, SPA, SPE and THE.
Physical/Health Education Elective
Surveys the field of communication studies, including the production, transmission and reception of messages among persons, groups, organizations and cultures.
This course explores the ways people interact verbally and nonverbally and introduces the basic theories and modes of interpersonal communication as well as relationship development. Interpersonal contexts will be examined including initial encounters, friendships, marriage, family and professional settings. Activities include participation in groups, pairs and interactive communication situations.
A survey of the institutions, history and technology of the mass communication media, concentrating on radio, television, film and other electronic and print media forms. Topics include the growth of print and electronic media and the relationship among government, media and the public, including the social responsibility and ethics of mass communication.
This course provides a general orientation to and overview of the communication between cultures. The emphasis will be upon offering insight into how cultural differences and similarities impact upon the relationship between culture and communication. The focus will deal with the challenges of communication in a culturally diverse society and offer techniques for improving communication between members of different cultures.
This introductory course explores the field of public relations, emphasizing the evolution, role, function and scope of public relations in American society. The course will include organizing programs and using the print and electronic media to implement such programs. Students will be exposed to staple writing activities such as news releases, brochures and pitch letters.
A comprehensive introduction to the historical development and regulatory policies of radio and television broadcasting and the implications of social media on the industry. An emphasis is placed on the cultural, economic and ethical impact of radio brands, television programming and digital downloads on society.
A cooperative program whereby the student may gain experience in a communication-related position in radio, television or public relations in order to gain some of the practical experience necessary for growth and success. Supervision of this departmentally approved position is provided by the College through on-the-job visits and individual progress review related to the position in order to effect the attainment of specific competencies. Students attend a bi-weekly two-hour seminar on campus and work a minimum of 180 hours per semester.
Written permission of the department chairperson and Counseling and Career Services Office
Classroom and studio practice in the preparation and presentation of radio materials including writing, announcing, news casting, interviewing, musical and dramatic programming. Practical concerns involve studio recording techniques, editing of audio tapes and program organization and management. The emphasis is on effective communication and ethical and aesthetic values in a production setting. Hands-on experience with equipment conducted in the campus radio studio, WMCC.
The course introduces and explores the areas of language acquisition, dialects, social variations of language, language and ethnicity, language and gender and cross-cultural and multi-cultural perspectives of language. The student will get a broad understanding of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics in the context of English and its history.
ENG-122 or written permission of the department chairperson
A Liberal Arts education helps students develop strong and ordered minds as they explore the world’s collected wisdom in literature, history, mathematics, science, philosophy and the arts. It teaches them to recognize and construct arguments, to appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives, and to have a sense of scholarship about the lives and events that have gone before. Liberal Arts emphasis on language helps students broaden their cultural perspective and become more aware of their own identity. Courses comprising a Liberal Arts education at Middlesex County College are the core of all liberal arts programs at the bachelor’s level. Students may select the general degree, the most flexible of all our Liberal Arts programs, or one of the many specialized options.
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.
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.