PTC expands its curriculum to offer more liberal arts courses

Providing several hands-on, hi-tech programs focused on preparing students for skilled careers, PTC is known for its popular programs like automotive, information, and business technologies; however, with new courses such as MUSC 1200, Music Appreciation and SPCH 1250, Intercultural Communication added to its curriculum, the college is increasingly able to provide students with more general education options for students planning to later transfer and pursue a baccalaureate degree.

“We’ve noticed a trend in students wanting to take more liberal arts courses, and we’re responding,” says Paula Hoffman, PTC’s Director of Academic Planning. “The result is a fall and spring schedule rich in diverse topics that give students a more well-rounded view – some would say, ‘worldly,’” Hoffman adds.

PTC’s added general education/liberal arts courses are transferable to all MnSCU upper-division universities – a common destination for many students planning to earn a bachelor’s degree on top of their PTC education.

“It will be so smooth and easy when I transfer into a bachelor's program,” says Greg Johnson, PTC business administration and accounting student. “I'll not only finish my A.S. in business and A.A.S in accounting, but also, I'll have completed all my generals and requirements for the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum right here at PTC, before I make the transition,” Johnson adds.

Historically, PTC always has offered many general education courses, but staff members have been working especially hard over the past several months to augment the college’s existing curriculum, as well as to hire instructors for the new courses. The resulting expanded lineup of courses is impressive – a sample of just a few of the courses PTC offers:

ANTH 1200, Introduction to Anthropology
AMST 1205, Significance of the Environment in Am. History
ARTS 1229, Introduction to the Visual Arts
ENGL 2276, Multicultural Literature
ENGL 2280, Introduction to Creative Writing
MUSC 1200, Music Appreciation
PHIL 1210, Foundations of Philosophy
PHIL 1230, Philosophy of Religion
POLS 1205, American Government and Politics
POLS 1210, Environmental Politics
SOCI 1225, Human Diversity
... and more!