Humanities, Philosophy and World Languages Department

Philosophy is the study of human thought throughout human history, and how it varies across different cultures and eras. In philosophy classes at Aims, you'll explore the essential questions of existence: Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? What is the best way to interact with others? 

Whether you'd like to earn an associate degree in philosophy or take a class or two toward another degree, your philosophy instructors will help you hone your critical thinking skills and broaden your knowledge of humanity and global cultures.

The World Languages Department at Aims offers the opportunity to build communication skills and cultural knowledge important in today’s world. Learning another language can open doors and enrich experiences for you both professionally and personally.

World language courses at Aims give you the opportunity to practice reading, writing, speaking and listening skills needed in real world scenarios such as work, travel, well-being and daily life. Along with these skills, you can learn about the history, traditions and social customs of the language studied. 

Currently, the Aims World Language Department offers two associate degrees—in French and Spanish—and in-person and online classes in American Sign Language (ASL).

ASL classes will help you become a more effective and empathetic communicator. Many students take ASL as an elective out of curiosity, a desire to raise their awareness of the needs within the Deaf community, or to support a career path where having inclusive communication skills are an asset, including healthcare, education or social work. Whatever the reason, ASL classes at Aims are interactive, fun and engaging.

ASL applies across any degree or discipline. If you're interested in language, you can go on to earn a bachelor's degree in interpretation or linguistics. 

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language used by many members of the Deaf community in the U.S. and Canada. ASL is expressed using physical movements of the hands and face. 

In ASL courses at Aims, you will learn about:

• Culture and history of ASL
• ASL grammar
• ASL language skills
• Linguistics
• Grammatical structure

You'll also gain knowledge about the Deaf community in Northern Colorado. ASL is an expressive visual language that's fun to learn. Classes feature a lot of interaction with other students. Aims offers ASL classes both in person and online so you can learn according to your preferences. 

Aims offers world language classes and associate degrees in both French and Spanish. You can take these language classes to fulfill foreign language or elective requirements for any associate degree at Aims. 

Thanks to a statewide agreement between Colorado community colleges and universities, you can earn a French or Spanish associate degree at Aims and go on to transfer to any participating four-year public university in Colorado as a junior to earn your bachelor’s degree. Taking your general education degree requirements at Aims instead of a four-year institution can save substantial costs. 

The World Languages faculty at Aims come from diverse backgrounds and language expertise. They have all gone through the process of learning a non-native language and understand the challenges that students like you face. Faculty use this knowledge and experience to guide you to be a successful language learner.