Liberal Arts

An Associate degree in the Liberal Arts and Sciences is expressly designed to prepare our graduates for successful transfer, progress in higher education, and careers in a rapidly evolving, global workforce.

To reinforce a solid general education that emphasizes communication skills, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving abilities, using pedagogies of equity, the Program offers one track: Social Sciences and Humanities (LAS-SSHU). This track culminates in a robust Capstone experience, giving students the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to addressing contemporary issues.

Using approaches from a range of social sciences and humanities, the LAS-SSHU track invites students to deepen their engagement with academic while fostering their development as active citizens in a diverse, democratic society. A selection of courses on specialized topics, where students interact closely with expert faculty, impart the conceptual tools and varied skills required for excellence in further education and their chosen professions.

Liberal Arts and Sciences – Social Sciences and Humanities Track (LAS-SSHU)

Philosophy

The Social Sciences and Humanities track of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program is committed to creating independent critical thinkers and writers. In attaining the broad base of skills from social science and humanistic disciplines, graduates from the Guttman program in Liberal Arts and Sciences will be able to meet the challenges of today’s society through the application of evidence-based approaches to complex social and cultural issues.

To promote career readiness within the curriculum, the Program implements course design and experiences that promote and incorporate the National Association of College and Employers (NACE) Career Competencies:

• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

• Oral/Written Communication

• Teamwork/Collaboration

• Digital Technology

• Leadership

• Professionalism/Work Ethic

• Career Management

• Global/Intercultural Fluency

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the LAS-SSHU track, students will be able to:

• Distinguish the modes of inquiry used within liberal arts and social sciences disciplines (e.g., Anthropology, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Literature, History, Philosophy, Art, and Music);

• Explain how differences of race, class, gender and sexuality have contributed to the development of contemporary problems of social and economic inequality;

• Combine methodologies from multiple disciplines to investigate large-scale questions about human behavior and society;

• Apply ethical understandings to contemporary social issues; and

• Construct effective research questions and apply principles of analysis and synthesis in conducting research.