Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender Studies

at Queens College USA

The study of literature is at the heart of a liberal arts education. Through literature, students learn to probe rhetoric, emotion, morality, point of view, and other questions that enrich both life and the arts. Coursework ranges from elementary rhetoric and composition to advanced electives in creative writing; historical surveys of poetry, drama, and fiction; major literary figures; courses in minority and ethnic literature; postcolonial literature; literary theory; and many other topics. English majors do much reading and writing, honing their critical, analytical, and communication skills.

Those skills help to make English a versatile major for students pursuing a variety of goals. Professional careers require the excellent writing ability that English majors develop as well as their ability to read and interpret texts with accuracy, sophistication, and judgment. Graduates often go on to become editors and writers in such fields as publishing, journalism, public relations, and advertising. They also excel in law, business, and government.

Nestled right in the heart of New York City—one of the world’s biggest tech hubs—Queens College offers world-class courses and facilities for a major in computer science.

A degree in computer science is a launching pad for technology-related professions as well as graduate study. The Queens College computer science department frequently coordinates career opportunities for its majors with industry and government agencies.

With technology becoming increasingly integrated into every aspect of society, a background in computer science is more in demand than ever. If you have strengths in the areas of technology and problem solving, a computer science major may be the right fit.

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.

Spanish is spoken across a Hugh territory ranging from Spain through Africa, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. It is the official language of Spain, Mexico, Central America and much of the Caribbean, and most of South America. It also is the first or second language of about 10 percent of the U.S. population. Much of the world’s great literature is written in Spanish, and Hispanic civilization includes masterpieces of music, the visual and performing arts, and the history of ideas. Thus, coursework in Spanish both instructs students in reading and speaking the language, and introduces students to Spanish-language literature, arts, culture, history, and civilization.

In a globalizing world, Spanish offers a versatile degree, adaptable to many interests and career goals. It has long been a popular field for teachers, and also can facilitate careers involving Spanish-language proficiency in publishing, journalism, international affairs, business, travel and tourism, international agencies, government, nonprofit organizations, and the arts. In addition, students are well equipped to continue on to graduate or professional school.

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.

Russian is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It also is important in diplomacy, science, business, finance, and sports, serving as an official language in such forums as the United Nations, International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Bank, the International Olympic Committee, and many other organizations. Russian also is the language of great arts, including literature, dance, music, and painting.

The Russian program has been part of the curriculum at Queens College for almost fifty years. It instructs students in reading and speaking the language, and introduces them to the arts and culture of the Russian-speaking world. It also offers courses in Belarusian, Polish, Serbo-Croatian, and Ukrainian language and literature, and sponsors a chapter of Dobro Slovo, the National Slavic Honor Society.

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.

Latin is one of the gems of the liberal arts curriculum. Learning Latin gives students access to the language and literature of the ancient Roman Empire, and it opens myriad cultural resources as Latin remained the international language of educated people through the Renaissance—hence it was the language of Western diplomacy, religion, history, science, literature, and the arts.

Students of Latin learn the language and, through it, come to understand classical Roman prose and poetry. Courses may be supplemented by work in translation in classics, literature, drama, art, history, and philosophy.

A degree in Latin can be a gateway to graduate work in a classics-related field, history, or philosophy. Equally, Latin is superb discipline for a grasp of English and other European languages’ structure and linguistic roots. The major stresses the excellent reading and writing skills that prove most valuable to liberal arts graduates.

Nestled right in the heart of New York City—one of the world’s biggest tech hubs—Queens College offers world-class courses and facilities for a major in computer science.

A degree in computer science is a launching pad for technology-related professions as well as graduate study. The Queens College computer science department frequently coordinates career opportunities for its majors with industry and government agencies.

With technology becoming increasingly integrated into every aspect of society, a background in computer science is more in demand than ever. If you have strengths in the areas of technology and problem solving, a computer science major may be the right fit.

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.