Bachelor of Arts in History

at Queens College USA

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 Department of Drama, Theatre & Dance is a highly respected program that offers an excellent liberal arts curriculum, a balanced combination of theory and practice in the arts, and a competitive degree. The faculty, as well as the many choices of concentrations and minors, support student aspirations for performance, production, and teaching careers. Drama and theatre courses cover history, literature, acting, directing, stage management, design, and technical theatre, while dance includes modern, ballet, tap, Asian, and African dance, choreography, and dance history. Students’ experience on and behind the stage is enriched by use of professional performance spaces, dance studios, and a lively calendar of productions.

Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies is an interdisciplinary field concerning the history, language, arts, and culture of the Greek people from Byzantine times to the present. Combining the humanities and the social sciences, it offers advanced coursework in four areas: Byzantine studies, modern Greek studies, modern Greek literature and culture, and Greek American studies. In the United States, the opportunity to earn an interdisciplinary BA in this field is unique to Queens College.

The bachelor’s degree offers excellent preparation for graduate work in Byzantine or modern Greek studies. In addition, it serves as an entrée to a career for students interested in the Greek experience and language.

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.

The program in East Asian Studies is flexible and interdisciplinary, combining language instruction with the humanities and social sciences. Students become proficient in one or more languages and acquire knowledge of the history, cultures, and societies of Asia.
In a globalizing world, this field has become increasingly relevant to students interested in such fields as law and policy, the arts, secondary education, and business and the professions.

The Queens College Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Photography & Imaging will prepare students in their pursuit of careers or advanced degrees in fine art, applied photography and digital imaging. The curriculum incorporates the latest 2D and 3D technologies for capturing and outputting images. Students will be able to choose among a variety of courses in the practice of photography, including classes in traditional/analog and alternative processes, digital, 2D and 3D scanning and printing, theory, history and critical thinking.

A degree in Actuarial Studies lays the groundwork for a career in the insurance industry. Coursework stresses accounting, economics, mathematics, and business fundamentals. The program also prepares students for a series of professional examinations. Admission to the program, which is administered by the Department of Economics, is selective.

A knowledge of German is essential for students interested in past and current cultural, political, and economic developments in Europe. As the largest trading partner in Europe, Germany plays a leading role in European and world affairs—as it has historically. Moreover, the German language is fundamental to a liberal arts education. German-speaking writers, artists, and scholars shaped modern arts, literature, and fields of inquiry, including philosophy, theology, and the natural and social sciences. Germany remains a center of avant-garde art, music, film, and thought. Coursework emphasizes both language proficiency and the study of German literature, art, music, philosophy, history, and culture.

?One of the most urgent areas of study, research, and policymaking today is environmental quality. The environmental studies major and minor draw on interdisciplinary thought and skillsets in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to understand critical environmental issues and propose remedies for them.

Coursework in the natural sciences provides a basic understanding of the physical and biological sciences relevant to environmental issues in urban areas. The social science and humanities coursework emphasizes policy and planning practices pertinent to cities’ social, economic, and political environment. Graduates are well prepared for careers in the public or private sector as environmental practitioners, whether in scientific, policy, or management capacities.