A flexible, transfer-friendly humanities degree to build skills, explore interests.

Gain a strong foundation in reading, writing, critical thinking, and the arts while preparing for upper-division study. Flexible and transfer-friendly, this degree allows direct entry into bachelor’s programs as a third-year student and supports exploration of diverse career paths.

2 Years Associate of Arts

Pioneer Quotes:

“In law school, my writing was complimented by professors, deans, lawyers, and judges. I attribute this positive feedback to the communication skills I learned in Alfred State's liberal arts classes, the fruits of which are still ripening.” -Patrick Doodian, Liberal Arts & Sciences: Humanities Alumni

"Colleges, universities, and even large corporations are placing renewed value on the soft skills developed through a liberal arts education—skills like creativity, communication, empathy, and adaptability." - Travis Matteson, Department Chair

Program Details

Courses you May Take

COMP2903: English in a Global Context

Credits: 3

This course is an introduction to the history, evolution, and global context of the English language. The course presents a primer on the major methods and scope of linguistics and language change. Students explore the history of English through texts of major linguistic periods. Major emphasis is placed on a consideration of "Englishes," or English as a world language. The course situates the evolution of English in the context of material culture, focusing specifically on the development of technologies for the inscription, storage, and transmission of written and spoken language.

SPCH1083: Public Speaking

Credits: 3

This course deals with preparing, presenting, and critiquing the basic speech types: reporting, demonstration, and argumentation. Special attention is given to collecting, selecting, and arranging of material; to presenting and delivering; and to active listening and critical evaluating. The course stresses principles of intrapersonal and interpersonal communication and provides a basis for the understanding of speech through utilizing various media. The course is designed to help the student obtain the speaking skills with which to respond to various oral communication situations encountered throughout college and in professional, civic, and social areas before and after graduation.

SPCH4003: Intercultural Communication

Credits: 3

This is a course in the theories and applications of Intercultural Communication. Students investigate how culture shapes communication norms and analyze the verbal and nonverbal communication styles of various cultures. The course also focuses on the causes of and effective responses to intercultural conflict. Emphasis is placed on applying intercultural competency to practical contexts.

See All Required Courses
Entrance Requirements

Required

  • Algebra

Recommended

  • Geometry
  • Biology

MEET OUR FACULTY

Dr. Travis Matteson, smiling
Travis Matteson Associate Professor and Department Chair
Aniko V Constantine
Annie Constantine Distinguished Teaching Professor: 10 Months
Gerald I Ianovici
Gerald Ianovici Assistant Professor 10 Months
Photo of Summer Dorr
Summer Dorr Assistant Professor 10 Months
See All English and Humanities Faculty

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

You've seen our wide variety of majors at Alfred State, our great faculty who help you build your skills, and that you can do it at an incredible low cost. Now's the time to become an Alfred State Pioneer.

Creativity on Campus:

Ergo Literary Magazine

Cover of fall 2018 Ergo magazine
Cover of spring 2019 Ergo magazine

Tor Echo Student Newspaper

Cover of fall 2019 Tor Echo student newspaper
Cover of spring 2019 Tor Echo student newspaper