Bachelor of Arts in French

at Queens College USA

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 major and minor in environmental sciences reflect the college’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning and research on the earth and its processes across geologic time. With a choice of concentrations and coursework, students plot a course through a curriculum that addresses the challenges of environmental quality and sustainability. The faculty support this commitment in hands-on courses, laboratories, and fieldwork, with research conducted in the atmospheric sciences, biogeosciences, geochemistry, geology and geophysics, and water resources.

There is a global need for environmental scientists in both the private and public spheres. Upon graduation, majors may enter the technical workforce for corporations, governments, international agencies, or nonprofit organizations.

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.

History, at its simplest, is a story of what happened in the past, but it is also concerned with very contemporary issues such as equity, social structure, contested meanings and values, and relations between near and far places. At its core are the aims, methods, and results of historical research.

Students receive excellent training in research skills involving qualitative and quantitative primary sources. They learn to evaluate sources, weigh facts, write coherent accounts of the past, and make arguments. They also become attentive to history beyond the traditional national and Western frameworks.

Historical studies provide the background needed for graduate work in law, journalism, library science, and history doctoral programs. The coursework also provides essential skills for those planning careers in business or government. History is the best major for those planning to teach social studies on the secondary level in addition to being an excellent major for those hoping to teach in elementary school.

There is no limit to expressing your creativity with the Queens College Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs. Queens College’s Design program combines knowledgeable faculty with industry-standard software and the creativity of a studio-based learning environment. Our Design program offers concentrations in:

• Communication Design
• Animation & Illustration
• Interaction Design

Students can specialize in techniques and approaches that prepare them for a multitude of careers, including graphic design, software and web development, illustration, animation, marketing and advertising or product design.

Whether you’re interested in pursuing more hand-drawn approaches that utilize traditional media, or you want to immerse yourself fully in digital media and software, our Design program has the flexibility and diversity for each student to achieve their vision. Additionally, our program has a network of internships that allow students to get real-world design experience while receiving college credit and building their resume.

The study of Italian connects students to one of the world’s great civilizations. From medieval times to the present, Italy has produced great literature, art, architecture, philosophy, science, and scholarship. Its history and politics continue to fascinate scholars while Italian film is synonymous with the highest achievements of cinematic art.

At Queens College, students can expect to achieve proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the Italian language, followed by advanced courses in translation, literature, and culture. They may also opt for a minor in Italian American studies, an interdisciplinary subject area relevant to the larger history and culture of the American nation. Students are encouraged to pursue study abroad opportunities. The college also houses a chapter of Gamma Kappa Alpha, the national Italian honor society.

Graduates use their proficiency in Italian and their knowledge of Italian culture in a variety of careers in business, translation, publishing, and the arts. Many prepare for a career in teaching Italian in the secondary schools. For some, the major or minor gives a solid foundation for graduate study.

Taught within the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, geology involves the study of both deep-earth and surface processes over time, with an emphasis on applications to current environmental problems.

Courses provide ample opportunity for hands-on learning in the laboratory and field, and students are encouraged to join in faculty research projects or carry out their own research with faculty help. Coursework includes a solid foundation in geology, physics, chemistry, computer science, and advanced mathematics.

The BS degree is recommended for those who wish to pursue graduate studies, research, and technical careers.

The Jewish Studies program is dedicated to unrestricted inquiry into all aspects of the Jewish experience. It hosts numerous public events concerning Jewish culture, film, arts, history, and religion, encouraging active outreach around current issues and, in the broadest sense, world affairs. Majors benefit from access to New York’s multicultural, multilingual Jewish community as well as the numerous museums, libraries, and cultural institutions in the metropolitan area.

The program has four main areas of study: Jewish social and intellectual history; the anthropology, sociology, political life, and folklore of Jews; Jewish religious and philosophical thought; and Jewish languages and literature. It can be tailored to a wide range of personal interests.

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.

Africana Studies brings a global reach to the liberal arts curriculum, educating students in the civilization, history, literature, culture, and institutions of the peoples of Africa and people of African descent in the Americas.

As an interdisciplinary field, Africana Studies provides an excellent foundation for graduate work and an entrée to numerous disciplines and careers. Many prominent people in the United States hold degrees in Africana studies—including doctors, lawyers, scientists, business people, politicians, athletes, social workers, actors, journalists, and ministers.