UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
The B.A. in Comparative Humanities
The B.A. degree in Comparative Humanities is designed to give students both breadth and depth in cross-cultural, interdisciplinary studies in the humanities. Core courses in the major enable students to study intensively the heritage of the West and the cultural traditions of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. At the next level, students examine the convergence of these various cultures in either "The Nineteenth Century" (the rise of colonialism) or "The Twentieth Century" (wars and revolutions and the emergence of "The Third World").
Additional perspective on how the disciplines carve up the world of knowledge and offer powerful methodologies for understanding it can be found in the cluster of courses, "Disciplinary Perspectives". Students interested in a disciplinary focus within the Comparative Humanities degree should take the appropriate course in this group and use the upper-division elective requirement to expand study in the chosen discipline.
Two electives give students the opportunity to follow a particular interest in more depth, and the Senior Seminar provides an opportunity for focused research on a topic within the core curriculum.
The B.A. in Philosophy and Religion
The Philosophy and Religion degree gives students grounding in the traditional issues, content, and methods of these disciplines while emphasizing a broad global perspective. At the introductory level students take courses in disciplinary foundations and methods, as well as general surveys in the disciplines. The major then requires the study of philosophy and religion within specific cultural contexts with opportunities for students to engage with Western, Islamic, African and Asian systems of thought and value.
Given the common ethical and normative concerns of the two disciplines, students take an ethics course that has both an applied and a multicultural perspective. Upper division electives allow students to do more in-depth and specialized work on issues and topics of their choosing. Students with a particular interest in some area of applied ethics, such as the environment, issues of race and gender, health, and social policy, may choose elective courses from outside the major in consultation with an advisor.
Successful completion of the degree will give students an understanding of the role of philosophical principles and religious systems in current ethical and political debates, as well as an understanding of the existential issues common to all humankind. The courses enhance critical thinking, analytical skills and the ability to make independent and informed ethical judgments. The Philosophy and Religion major is excellent preparation for many career paths and is especially recommended for students preparing for law school.
Undergraduiate Minors
The department supports interdepartmental minors in Pre-Law, Global Studies, and African American Studies.
GRADUATE DEGREES
To prepare teachers for careers in middle and high school education, SUNY College at Old Westbury offers two degree opportunities in Adolescence Education: Social Studies (7-12):
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) for aspiring teachers and career-changers seeking to advance their careers.
The Master of Science (M.S.) for college graduates holding an undergraduate degree in education.
Click here to download a fact sheet on the M.A.T. and M.S. degrees.
Curriculum Outlines
M.A.T in Adolescence Education: Social Studies (7-12) -- 42 credits
Pedagogy Courses: 24 credits
ED6000 Historical, Social, and Philosophical Foundations of Education 3 credits
ED6001 Human Growth and Development 3 credits
ED6002 Foundations of Literacy 3 credits
ED6003 The Exceptional Learner 3 credits
ED6085 Methods and Materials of Teaching Social Studies 3 credits
ED6095 Literacy, Research, & Technology in Social Studies 3 credits
ED6903 Student Teaching [Social Studies] 6 credits
Content Courses 18 credits
HI6510 Topics in U.S. History 3 credits
HI6520 U.S. Constitutional and Political History 3 credits
HI6530 Economics: Theories, Tools, and Debates 3 credits
HI6540 Topics in European History 3 credits
Topics in African, Asian, Islamic, Latin American Civilizations [offered in rotation; one course required]
HI6550 Topics in African History
HI6560 Topics in Chinese Civilization
HI6565 Topics in the History of India
HI6570 Topics in Islamic Civilizations
HI6580 Topics in Latin American History 3 credits
Culminating Experience
HI7500 Questioning Global History 3 credits
NOTE: To graduate from the program, candidates must have a minimum of 21 credits of graduate or undergraduate courses in history and/or geography and must have fulfilled 11 required areas of content. Details regarding the areas of content are available upon request.
M.S. in Adolescence Education: Social Studies (7-12) -- 36 credits
Pedagogy Courses: 9 credits
ED7001 Human Growth and Development 3 credits
ED7002 Foundations of Literacy 3 credits
ED7003 The Exceptional Learner 3 credits
Content Courses: 5 courses required 15 credits
HI6510 Topics in U.S. History. 3 credits
HI6520 U.S. Constitutional and Political History 3 credits
HI6530 Economics: Theories, Tools, and Debates 3 credits
HI6540 Topics in European History 3 credits
Topics in African, Asian, Islamic, Latin American Civilizations [offered in rotation; one course required]
HI6550 Topics in African History
HI6560 Topics in Chinese Civilization
HI6565 Topics in the History of India
HI6570 Topics in Islamic Civilizations
HI6580 Topics in Latin American History 3 credits
Linked Pedagogy/Content Courses: 12 credits
ED7085 Methods and Materials of Teaching Social Studies 3 credits
ED7095 Literacy, Research, & Technology in Social Studies 3 credits
ED7700 Methods of Research in Educational Settings 3 credits
ED7800 Thesis Research in Educational Settings 3 credits
Graduate Admission Requirements
Requirements specific to M.A.T applicants:
Requirements specific to M.S. applicants:
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Initial certification in Adolescence Education: Social Studies
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B.A./B.S. degree in History or a B.A./B.S. degree with at least 30 credits of coursework in the social sciences (history, geography, political science, economics, anthropology, and/or sociology), including a minimum of 21 credits of courses in history and geography.
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Submission of scores on the CST (Content Specialty Test) and GRE (Graduate Record Examination).
Requirements for all applicants:
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B.A./B.S. degree in History or a B.A./B.S. degree with at least 30 credits of coursework in the social sciences (history, geography, political science, economics, anthropology, and/or sociology).
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Two letters of recommendation, one from an academic source.
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An admission essay.
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International students must meet additional criteria, including the following: TOEFL scores: paper exam = 550; computer exam= 213; Internet exam= 80. Students taking the IELTS English (Cambridge) exams must pass with a broad band score of 6.5. Students must also have their overseas documents evaluated by AACRAO International or WES (World Education Services). TOEFL or IELTS scores are waived if applicant has taken English Composition I at a U.S. college or university and has earned a grade of "C" or higher.
Further Information
For further information and application materials, please contact:
Graduate Admissions Advisor
Office of Enrollment Services
Ph: 516-876-3073
E-mail: enroll@oldwestbury.edu
All application material should be sent to:
Graduate Admissions
Office of Enrollment Services
SUNY College at Old Westbury
P.O. Box 307
Old Westbury, NY 11568-0307
