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Liberal Arts - History

Program Codes: LAHIS.AA
Associate in Arts Degree

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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.

Contact the Department Chairperson

Recommended Course Sequence

Below are required courses for program completion.

The program in History at Middlesex explores ideas, institutions, and patterns of behavior that develop over time. We believe an understanding of the historical context of human existence is central to a liberal arts education. Studying history requires the ability to interpret texts and documents of great variety, and to develop critical evaluation skills.

Many Middlesex History majors pursue further study in related fields such as law and international relations. Double majors among historians are common, as history provides an excellent complement for training in many fields.

 Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Articulate their place in human culture and the global society from a multi-disciplinary perspective acquired through the study of the social sciences, humanities, history, natural sciences, mathematics, arts, and languages.
  • Recognize cultural, religious, artistic, economic, political and social forces that have shaped society up to present times.
  • Analyze change over time as it relates to key events, ideologies, or themes (cultural, religious, economic, political and social) in various geographic areas. 
  • Apply basic historical research skills to locate primary and secondary sources, including (as appropriate) the effective use of libraries and databases.
  • Evaluate the reliability of primary and secondary sources using the historian’s methods.
  • Create an historical argument using both primary and secondary sources.

General Education Communication

OR

General Education History

Take one of the two-course sequences below.  Must take both courses in the chosen sequence.

AND

OR

AND

OR

AND

General Education Humanities

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).

General Education Mathematics, Science and Technology

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.

General Education Social Science

Choose courses designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).

Liberal Arts Electives

3

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

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.

1

Students may satisfy this requirement with any HED or PED course.

Total Credits 61 - 66

Contact Information

History and Social Sciences

Contact Name: Timothy Hack, department chair 
Contact Phone: 732.906.2590
Contact Email: HSS@middlesexcc.edu 
Department Web: https://www.middlesexcc.edu/history-social-science/


Frequently Asked Questions

Why study the Liberal Arts?

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.

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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