The Liberal Arts Division is comprised of the following disciplines: English, ELS, History, Humanities, Interpreting, Languages including American Sign Language, Philosophy and Religious Studies.
English
English includes studies in: Composition, Developmental Reading and Writing, Creative Writing, Technical and Professional Writing, Linguistics and Literature and Film.
These disciplines provide an educational framework within which students develop their abilities to think critically and to express themselves clearly, effectively and creatively to different audiences. Many of the courses in English satisfy general education requirements for graduation and can be transferred to other institutions. Many courses also feature enriched learning experiences for students, including service learning projects, experiential learning and field-based research, peer mentoring opportunities, and extended learning communities.
Students in English are provided educational opportunities to:
- Develop a range of strategies for writing, reading, and listening more effectively.
- Acquire critical information literacy skills, including the ability to locate, evaluate, and synthesize information from a variety of sources and for different purposes.
- Nurture a deeper aesthetic awareness and the capacity for meaningful self-expression.
- Cultivate their ability to think critically and to respond creatively to complex problems and situations.
- Enhance their understanding of and respect for personal, social and cultural diversity.
- Foster greater rhetorical awareness, including the ability to consider a variety of perspectives and audiences when communicating.
- Explore a wide number of genres and styles in academic, professional, and public settings.
- Understand and effectively use a range of technologies for researching and communicating in 21st century contexts.
English faculty sponsor student curricular activities, including Prairie Light Review and the Writers Read series.
English Language Studies
English Language Studies offers a series of tuition-based language courses that prepare non-native speakers of English for study at U.S. colleges and universities as well as for professional employment in the United States. The two primary goals of the courses are for students to acquire academic language proficiency and to develop intercultural communication competence.
Students in English Language Studies are provided educational opportunities to:
- Analyze a variety of authentic fiction and nonfiction texts.
- Write for multiple academic and professional purposes.
- Develop strategies for critical listening.
- Lead and participate in class and small group discussions centered around complex academic topics.
- Give engaging presentations for a variety of academic and professional purposes.
- Acquire new vocabulary including idioms and common usage.
- Learn and use strategies to improve language accuracy.
- Demonstrate the ability to find and synthesize information as well as to appropriately cite all sources.
- View issues from multiple perspectives and analyze how those perspectives developed.
- Practice cultural sensitivity and understand the value of diversity.
- Apply techniques for promoting interpersonal, cultural, and linguistic communication as well as repair any breakdown in communication.
Humanities
Humanities includes subject areas that address the question of what it means to be human. Subject areas in the Humanities include History, Humanities, Languages, Philosophy and Religious Studies. The study of Humanities frees students to think beyond personal and cultural boundaries and to consider informed actions that have constructive outcomes for the future. Many of the courses in Humanities satisfy the general education requirements for graduation and can be transferred to other institutions.
Students in Humanities are provided educational opportunities to develop:
- Skills in analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of readings and writings related to the Humanities.
- An understanding of history, philosophy, religious studies, the arts, and cultural contexts.
- An awareness of human spiritual, intellectual, social and political aspirations.
- Insight into various cultures through the study of history, world languages, the arts, philosophical and religious texts.
- Creative and critical thinking skills.
Areas of Study
- English
- ELS
- History
- Humanities
- Languages
- American Sign Language/Interpreting
- Philosophy and Religious Studies
Campus Locations
Contact Information
Liberal Arts Division Office
Berg Instructional Center (BIC), Room 2E06
(630) 942-2047