The Liberal Arts and Sciences Associate in Arts degree program is designed primarily for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to continue studies toward a baccalaureate degree in the liberal arts and sciences. It is also suitable for students who wish to engage in an educationally challenging experience for personal growth and intellectual development. The requirements and distribution of courses in this A.A. degree program are similar to the general education requirements in many Liberal Arts and Sciences baccalaureate degree programs. However, since there are variations in the requirements at different four-year institutions, students are advised to check carefully the specific requirements of the institution to which they intend to transfer.

There are specific pathways within the Liberal Arts and Sciences degree program to help students use this degree as a first step toward a long-term goal, such as transferring to Eastern Connecticut State University, transferring to the University of Connecticut, or pursuing selected majors. Your academic advisor will have the details you need. You may also secure a copy of the Pathway Guides for transfer to specific programs and universities at the Student Development Office. Call (860) 383-5217 for information.

Specific information on courses which meet elective requirements is also available from Student Services advisors and academic advisors.

LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES CURRICULUM

Course ID

Title of Course

Credits

ENG* K101°

Composition

3

ENG* K102°

Literature and Composition

3

COM* K173++

Public Speaking

or

or

1-3

COM* K109

Speech Practice

MAT* K146°

Math for the Liberal Arts

or

or

3

HIGHER MAT

______________________________

Arts Electives:  ART* K101 Art History I, ART* K102 Art History II, MUS* K101 Music History & Appreciation I, MUS* K104/ANT* K136 Music Cultures of the World, or THR* K101 Introduction to Theatre

3

___________

______________________________

Foreign Language Electives: (Two semesters of the same foreign language are required. Only Liberal Arts & Sciences electives may be substituted if two years of the same language with a grade of "C" or higher were completed at the high school level. High school transcript and college verification required for substitution.)

___________

______________________________

3-4

___________

______________________________

3-4

Social Sciences Electives: (One course must be in history. Others may be chosen from anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, sociology).

HIS_______

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

Natural Sciences Electives: (Courses may be chosen from biology (except nutrition), chemistry, earth science, physics, physical science, SCI* K250 Process & Inquiry of Natural Science; one course must include a lab).

___________

______________________________

3-4

___________

______________________________

4

Liberal Arts and Sciences Electives: (Courses may be chosen from anthropology, biology, chemistry, earth science, economics, foreign languages, geography, history, literature, math (higher than 146), philosophy, physical science, SCI* K250, physics, political science, psychology, sociology, ART* K101, ART* K102, LAS K250, MUS* K101, MUS* K104, THR* K101).

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

Advanced Liberal Arts and Sciences Electives: (Any 200 level course in anthropology, biology, chemistry, economics, foreign languages, geography, history (except HIS* K201 and HIS* K202), LAS K250, literature, math, philosophy, physical science and SCI* K250; physics, political science, psychology, sociology.

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

Open Electives:

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

GRAND TOTAL

61-64

°Course has a prerequisite. Students should check course description.
++It is important to note that no fewer than 60 credits are needed to complete the degree. If the one credit speech option is selected, students must be careful to take two four-credit courses somewhere in the program or take an extra course.
Students who are planning on transferring to a four year institution should check with their advisors, their future schools, or refer to Selecting Electives list regarding General Education Requirements.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
In selecting courses, each student must fulfill the following requirements:

International/Intercultural Requirement
All degree-seeking students must complete one course which emphasizes a global, cross-cultural, or multi- cultural perspective and encourages students to think beyond the boundaries of traditional Western European cultural perspectives.

Courses which satisfy this requirement are:
ANT* K105 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ANT* K136 Music Cultures of the World
ANT* K242 Native Peoples of North America
BIO* K180/ENV* K101 Principles of Environmental Science/Environmental Studies
ENG* K240 Studies in World Literature
ENG* K250 Studies in Ethnic Literature
ENG* K261 Women Writers Across Cultures
GEO* K111 World Regional Geography
HIS* K121 World Civilization I
HIS* K122 World Civilization II
HIS* K218 African American History
HIS* K271 Modern Asia
MUS* K104/ANT* K136 Music Cultures of the World
PHL* K151 World Religions
POL* K103 Introduction to International Relations
SOC* K103 Social Problems
SOC* K220 Racial & Ethnic Diversity
SSC* K210 World Issues
SPA* K211/K212 Intermediate Spanish

Oral Communication Requirement
All degree-seeking students must complete one course to develop competency in oral communication; the courses which meet this requirement are:
COM* K109 Speech Practice 1 credit
COM* K173 Public Speaking 3 credits

These requirements do not increase the total number of credits needed to complete the degree; they can be met within the 60-61 credits of the degree program by choosing appropriate electives.

Liberal Arts and Sciences, Program Outcomes and Statement of Core Values

Three Rivers Community College is committed to the belief that the best preparation for life, and especially for careers that require specialized training, is a broad acquaintance with human knowledge. The Liberal Arts degree program is designed to give students the opportunity to explore knowledge from multiple perspectives. Students are challenged to become intellectually curious, aesthetically aware, critically perceptive, and to develop their communicative and quantitative skills. Through the study of the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities, the Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree program gives students the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the workplace and the foundation necessary for lifelong learning and personal growth.
At the core of the Liberal Arts and Sciences is not any one discipline or knowledge base, but rather an attempt to perceive the interrelatedness of knowledge and the connectedness of human experience. In addition to exploring the traditions of thought and the central questions within selected areas of study, students completing the Liberal Arts and Sciences program of study will develop the ability to:

• think critically and creatively
• work collaboratively as well as independently
• communicate effectively both in speaking and in writing
• reason quantitatively as well as verbally
• value artistic expression
• move beyond a narrow focus and recognize broader historical, cultural, global, and scientific perspectives
• understand and reflect searchingly upon one's values and the values of others.

Liberal Arts and career education are interactive components of a complete education. They enrich each other by helping students to make career decisions in keeping with their understanding of themselves and their world. Together they provide the skills and perspectives that make possible the dignity of work and social contribution. They cultivate a framework of meaning, value, ethical purpose, and commitment that enriches every aspect of life. They foster an attitude of critical inquiry, curiosity, openness, and wonder that enables a spirit of lifelong learning.

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