Humanities and Social Sciences (LAH)

This curriculum is designed for the student who intends to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a baccalaureate degree. The program provides a broad, balanced exposure to the liberal arts by incorporating courses in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics and sciences. A global perspective requirement further broadens the exposure. By appropriate selection of courses, a student may build a suitable background for further study in a variety of majors such as literature, journalism, history, political science, economics, dance, foreign language, music, philosophy, psychology, sociology, speech and theatre or for a variety of career goals, such as social work, law, government service, or teaching, writing or editing.  

Dutchess Community College transfers students to a variety of four-year, public and private colleges and universities. Both formal and informal transfer agreements exist. Students are urged to consult their advisors, the faculty and the ACT Center staff about transfer opportunities early in their career at Dutchess.

Students with strong academic backgrounds who are seeking a special challenge may select a sequence of honors-level courses to fulfill, in part, the A.A. degree requirements. Honors-level courses are open to qualified students only. Interested students should contact the Registrar’s Office for further information and advisement.

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree is awarded upon completion of the requirements for this program.

Students who successfully complete the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences – Humanities and Social Sciences (LAH) will be able to:

• Formulate or evaluate arguments, problems or opinions and arrive at a solution, position or hypothesis based on carefully considered evidence;

• Produce writing that is well-organized, well developed and clear;

• Demonstrate the ability to use technology and software applications to produce an output or perform analyses appropriate to their academic program/discipline;

• Work with graphical, numerical or symbolic models to solve problems and interpret results;

• Apply the scientific method, develop hypotheses, analyze results and draw conclusions;

• Demonstrate oral communication skills in a clear and organized manner using appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication techniques with regard to subject, purpose and audience.

Courses should be selected in consultation with an advisor.