Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature

at Navitas Group - Queens College, City University of New York USA

Urban Studies involves the interdisciplinary study of metropolitan areas. Drawing mainly on the social sciences and humanities, it explores the origins, growth, economics, politics, and social fabric of cities, and focuses on the many sorts of problems and challenges they face—such as poverty, segregation, homelessness, and pollution. The program introduces students to critical theory and urban policy analysis, and trains them in a mix of practical research, community-building, and report-writing skills that empower them as urban professionals and citizens. The curriculum, which includes a service-learning component, benefits from the program’s location and networks in a vibrant, diverse world city.

Physics is one of the most demanding majors offered at Queens College, and it attracts exceptional students. In small classes taught by distinguished faculty, students benefit from an adaptable curriculum of theory and applied science, including courses that teach experimental skills, mathematical physics, and the principles of both classical and modern physics, such as mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and special and general relativity. Electives explore connections between physics and other sciences, such as telecommunications and computer science. Students are encouraged to participate in the faculty’s internationally recognized experimental and theoretical research programs in optics, magnetic thin films, polymer surfaces, quantum dots and nanowires, multiple quantum wells, and photonic integration.

?Comparative Literature is an ideal subject for students with a passion for reading and curiosity about the world. It involves the study of world literature, exploring oral and written works across nations, languages, and cultures and in their historical, social, and cultural contexts. The courses—taught by faculty from all the college’s language and literature departments as well as from philosophy and anthropology—teach students to bring cross-cultural perspectives to the work of close reading and critical writing.
Such training helps launch graduates in professions that require well-developed communication skills, complex reasoning, and multicultural sensitivities. Comparatists work in publishing, journalism, the media, the arts, public relations, and other information industries. Often they work in international and multicultural contexts where foreign-language and translation skills are an asset. Many go on to graduate school as well as to law, medical, and professional schools.

People in modern societies often have health issues linked to poor diet and exercise habits, a problem that is costly in both economic and human terms. The degree in Nutrition & Exercise Sciences prepares students for careers in the maintenance of cardiovascular health and fitness through healthy diets and regular physical activity.

The curriculum combines core courses with biology, chemistry, and statistics coursework. Graduates go on to work in corporate- and hospital-based programs in health, cardiovascular fitness, wellness, and cardiac rehabilitation; community-based programs for adults and senior citizens; and adult health and fitness programs in health clubs, adult education centers, sports medicine and physical rehabilitation centers, and preventative health agencies.

French has been an international language for hundreds of years, and is often called the language of diplomacy. Today it is spoken by more than 200 million people in over 40 countries. The French language plays a major role in global business, diplomacy, and culture. The French and Francophone literary, artistic, and philosophical traditions exert a profound influence on the contemporary world.

Students receive instruction in speaking, reading, and writing French, and study French literature, arts, and culture. Majors and minors are encouraged to immerse themselves in both language and culture through the CUNY/Paris Exchange Program as well as programs available at the French embassy.

Political science analyzes the forces that shape government policy in both the national and international arenas. Such forces include power relationships, political values and ideologies, the “rules of the game” that shape government institutions, and the strategies of citizens and other social actors. The curriculum includes American, comparative, and international politics; political theory and methodology; and law and politics. Students also may complete internships for credit—with administrative, judicial, legislative, or other offices of government, law firms, nonprofit advocacy groups, and elsewhere.

?The program focuses on normal communication, its impairment, and rehabilitation of children and adults who have disorders of speech, hearing, and language. It introduces basic speech, language, and hearing science in preparation for graduate study in such areas as acoustic phonetics, psychological and physical acoustics, and psycholinguistics. It also includes pre-professional coursework for students who wish to undertake graduate programs leading to careers as speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Students have the opportunity to observe clinical practice in the Queens College Speech-Language-Hearing Center.

Philosophy involves the pursuit of fundamental questions, such as the nature of reality, truth, justice, values, ethics, reason, science, and faith. It offers careful training in inquiry, critical thinking, and the construction of well-reasoned arguments. Coursework includes philosophical questions, methods, history, and systems of thought.

Although philosophy is sometimes thought of as a luxury or “ivory tower” discipline, PayScale’s research has found that it actually ranks as the top-earning humanities major. The mental discipline students acquire and their facility with complex reasoning are valued highly by employers who seek innovative problem solvers and executives. Further, philosophy has historically offered a high road to the study of law.

Middle Eastern Studies concern the language, culture, and civilization of one of the world’s great cultures. An interdisciplinary major, it encourages students to achieve proficiency in at least one regional language while completing core and elective coursework in the history, literature, religions, and contemporary societies of the Middle East.

A major in Middle Eastern Studies can lead in several directions. Students have a solid foundation for advanced study in graduate school. Alternatively, various career paths are open, with needs for knowledge of the Middle East in museums and other cultural institutions, publishing, the arts, and education. Careers may also be pursued in business, journalism, government, international agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

The interdisciplinary major is designed for students who wish to develop their own concentration area in a subject not covered by any one department or program. Students who are interested in an interdisciplinary major should confer with the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, which will provide guidance in developing a proposal for approval. The proposed concentration must have a distinct, coherent interdisciplinary theme and the coursework required for it should provide substantial expertise in that theme. Since an interdisciplinary concentration requires competence in more than one discipline, the major involves a minimum of 36 credits and may require the approval of several departments.