Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

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.

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.

?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.

Students studying Studio Art at Queens College can choose to receive a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts, both of which prepare students for careers in the art field, such as fine art, illustration, photography or other creative professions. Students receive a comprehensive foundation of techniques and conceptual skills across many disciplines and genres and can concentrate in a variety of media including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and ceramics. Our faculty introduce students to new media and techniques to broaden their horizons while helping each student to develop his or her own style and vision.

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 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.

Classics involves the study of ancient Greek and Roman civilization and history, including the Greek and Latin languages. In courses on language, literature, art, philosophy, religion, and history, students learn about the pioneering thinkers, writers, leaders, and cultural innovators who shaped much of the Western intellectual and artistic legacy.

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.

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.

Labor studies is an interdisciplinary field concerning the world of work, workers, and employment. Students gain an understanding of the labor force, workers’ organizations, and labor-management relations.

Coursework covers such core material as technology, labor, industry, and occupations; the labor force; the labor movement; and theories of work, the workplace, and organization. Students concentrate in economics, sociology, or urban studies, developing skills in those areas and learning to perform quantitative analysis.

A degree in labor studies prepares graduates to pursue careers in labor relations, whether working for labor organizations, business, or government. In addition, it can be a stepping stone to law or graduate school.