Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Major

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

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.

For those who are passionate about cinema, the college offers a multidisciplinary program in Film Studies. Students explore the aesthetic, cultural, sociological, political, philosophical, and psychological elements of cinema—analytically, critically, and historically. They study film aesthetics, technology, and the industry cross-culturally as well as in mainstream and alternative traditions and movements. They may also connect film studies to areas of modern art, music, history, language, and literature. Coursework emphasizes writing—through academic approaches to film analysis and research projects, and in professional approaches such as screenwriting and film criticism.

The Latin American & Latino Studies (LALS) program offers disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding Latin America and the Caribbean, and the movements and settlement of the peoples and cultures of those regions in the United States. It combines Latin American, Puerto Rican, and Latino ethnic studies.

Courses give students a detailed knowledge of the development, institutions, language, and customs of Latin America. They cover such topics as the physical environment, arts and music, culture, and economic and political history. Most courses are conducted in English, with the exception of those on language and literature.

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.

?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.

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 study of art is at the core of a liberal arts education. Queens College’s varied curriculum, large faculty, and excellent studio facilities support a variety of interests and aspirations. Students may choose from four main concentrations: art history, covering both Western and non-Western art; studio art, in which students are trained to work in several media; art education, combining a major in studio art with courses in secondary education; and graphic design, in which students learn principles of type and image design for print or web.

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.

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.

American Studies fosters an interdisciplinary view of the United States and its hemispheric neighbors. Students explore historical, social, and artistic dimensions of the American experience. The program encourages students to design an individualized course of study.

American Studies majors become experienced researchers, trained to think critically and to work from many perspectives using a variety of primary sources.