Liberal Arts

Why study Liberal Arts

The Liberal Arts Degree program is a humanistic study, that is, the study of ever richer understandings of what it means to be a human being. The activity of these studies involves different modes of inquiry, which means different types of questions. This questioning occurs in six academic departments: Art, Behavioral Science, Communications and Performing Arts, English, History, Philosophy and Political Science and World Languages and Culture A Liberal Arts education prepares students for pursuing a bachelor of the arts at a senior college in a variety of majors (for example, History, English, Sociology). It also prepares students for many different types of jobs through the development of a variety of skills including, speaking, critical thinking, writing and interpersonal abilities.

Open the Liberal Arts List of Articles for a listing of articles about Liberal Arts and your job future.

Liberal Arts Concentrations

As a Liberal Arts student, you should choose a concentration of study. You may choose the General concentration or one of the other choices listed below:

For further information, explore this website and check the College Catalog for the year you started the major as a matriculant.

For further information please contact:

  • Prof. Jacob Segal, Program Director
  • D309A
  • (718) 368-5417
  • Office hours for liberal arts students 10-2 Monday, in-person D309A, (718) 368-5417 and Friday 10-2 online.

For academic advisement please contact KCC's Liberal Arts Program Academic Advisement:

The Liberal Arts AA degree provides a foundation in general studies through exploration of an array of subject areas under liberal arts and sciences. Concentrations provide students opportunity to focus in a specific area. Courses promote development and application of effective communication skills, quantitative and scientific reasoning, critical thinking and analysis, and applying knowledge of human cultures, language and the natural world to issues experienced across diverse communities. The degree provides opportunity for transfer to baccalaureate programs.

Catalog Curriculum Information General

‘Philosophy’ is literally the love of wisdom, and wisdom is an all-encompassing understanding sought by philosophers in all cultures. Philosophy examines fundamental questions about knowledge, reality, beautiful and what humans value.

Catalog Curriculum Information Philosophy Concentration

This concentration is offered by the Department of History, Philosophy, and Political Science

Philosophy Concentration Degree Map

Starting in Fall 2025

Contact:
Richard Legum
Richard.Legum@kbcc.cuny.edu

Political Science is the study of law, government, how nations relate to each other and the meaning of political concepts like justice. This concentration requires one course in the three of four major areas of political science. The concentration seeks to encourage the study of Political Science and prepare student for junior standing at a four-year college as a Political Science major

Catalog Curriculum Information Political Science

This concentration is offered by the Department of History, Philosophy, and Political Science

Political Science Concentration Degree Map

Starting in Fall 2025

Contact:
Jamie Aroosi
Jamie.Aaroosi@kbcc.cuny.edu

In this concentration, students will analyze structures of power and dimensions of difference by focusing on gender and the ways in which it intersects with other social identities, such as race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, nationality, ability, age, religion, among others. They will learn about concepts of sex/gender systems, histories of social movements, interdisciplinary modes of inquiry, political debates, and cultural productions. They will engage in feminist knowledge projects in both disciplinary locations like English and history and interdisciplinary locations like LGBTQ Studies and Ethnic Studies.

Catalog Curriculum Information Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Concentration

This concentration is offered by the Department of Behavioral Sciences

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Concentration Degree Map

Starting in Fall 2025

The Creative Writing concentration honors our city and its many writers with a structured curriculum that opens doors and invites original thinking. In a supportive environment, we offer a range of dedicated courses to help burgeoning writers explore their voices and styles.

Catalog Curriculum Information Creative Writing Concentration

This concentration is offered by the English Department.

English Creative Writing Degree Map

Starting in Fall 2025

Contact:
Eben Wood
Eben.Wood@kbcc.cuny.edu

This concentration is an opportunity for anyone who enjoys reading and discussing literature to experience dynamic classes on a range of literary subjects taught by professors who know their stuff. You will come away from the courses you take with useful skills having to do with language, thinking, understanding, and communicating. Whatever you pursue in terms of career and wherever life takes you, studying literature will provide a solid foundation that will broaden your experience and open your mind.

Catalog Curriculum Information Literary Studies Concentration

This concentration is offered by the English Department.

English Literary Studies Degree Map

Starting in Fall 2025

Contact:
Robert Cowan
Robert.Cowan@kbcc.cuny.edu

American Studies is an interdisciplinary field that combines various areas of study — history, literature, political science, sociology, and communications & media. This interdisciplinary approach fosters a holistic understanding of American society, culture, and identity, which are valuable assets in today's diverse and interconnected world.

Contact:
Robert Cowan
Robert.Cowan@kbcc.cuny.edu

History is the student of the past and its relevance to the present. This concentration requires a course in U.S history, a course. world history and a course in either. The concentration seeks to encourage the study in History and prepare students for junior standing at a four college as a History major

Catalog Curriculum Information History Concentration

This concentration is offered by the History Department.

History Concentration Degree Map

Starting in Fall 2025

Contact:
Jacek Czarnecki
Jacek.Czarnecki@kbcc.cuny.edu

Psychology Concentration Degree Map

Starting in Fall 2025

Contact:
Joseph Verdino
Joseph.Verdino@kbcc.cuny.edu

In the Liberal Arts - Urban Sustainability Concentration at KCC, students will learn about and find solutions to global issues affected by urban development in an era of climate change. Urban sustainability is an area of rapid growth in the job market, as government agencies and both for-profit and non-profit organizations seek environmentally sustainable ways of promoting and managing economic development.

Contact:
Ryan Chaney
Ryan.Chaney@kbcc.cuny.edu

Music Concentration Degree Map

Starting in Fall 2025

Contact:
Ryan McKinney
Ryan.McKinney@kbcc.cuny.edu