LIBERAL STUDIES
College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Liberal Studies program is an interdisciplinary major, which encompasses a wide variety of areas of knowledge in a multidisciplinary curriculum. The program provides a broad academic program that encourages academic excellence, diversity, community, and collaboration. There are two tracks in the Liberal Studies Program, the traditional program, and the nontraditional program. The traditional program is a multidisciplinary major designed for students who intend to become K-8 or special education teachers in California, and it has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Its purpose is to provide beginning teachers with a strong grounding in the wide ranging subject matter that will be needed to be effective teachers. The nontraditional program is designed for students who are interested in a multidisciplinary major, but who do not necessarily plan to become teachers.
The largest portion of the major compromises the core section, with courses in reading, language and literature, mathematics, natural science, history and social sciences, visual and performing arts, physical education, human development, and health. In addition, the traditional program requires a concentration: a 12 unit area of focus in which the student can develop knowledge in a discipline of special interest. The nontraditional program requires a minor.
Advisors meet at least once each semester with students to provide a hands-on approach to learning. The Liberal Studies major is also an excellent preparation for careers in public service, management, counseling, law, librarianship, medicine, and professional or graduate education in business.
The Liberal Studies major is a complex program requiring early and continuing contact with an advisor. Students must complete 120 units and meet the University foreign language requirement in order to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students are urged to obtain advice as early as possible to avoid delays in the completion of these requirements. The Liberal Studies program director and faculty and staff advisors are located in Lassen Hall 2008, (916) 278-6342. Early planning is also strongly advised to prepare students to apply to the professional education program. Details about multiple subject credential programs and regular information sessions are provided by the Teaching Credentials Office in Eureka Hall 401, (916) 278-6639.
Concentrations
- Linguistics/Composition / Foreign Language / Literature / Mathematics / Natural Science / World History / U.S. History / American Studies / California Studies / Multicultural Studies / Art / Theatre / Music / Physical Education / Human Development
Special Features
- A Blended Elementary Teacher Education Program (BETEP) is offered jointly by Liberal Studies and the Department of Teacher Education for students who have made a decision as they enter the University to become K-8 teachers. This program, designed so that it can be completed in four and one-half years, blends together the coursework from the various subject matter areas in Liberal Studies with the education courses and student teaching required for a credential. Successful completion of all requirements will culminate in a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a preliminary (Level 1) Multiple Subject Credential. A transfer blended program option with area community colleges has been developed among CSU campuses across the state.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
Requirements - Bachelor of Arts Degree
Units required for Major: 100-103
Minimum total units required for BA: 120
A minimum grade of "C-" is required in all courses applied to the Liberal
Studies major.
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
A. Core Requirements for traditional program (88-91 units)
Reading, Language and Literature (18-21 units)
(3) |
The Communication Experience |
|
(3) |
Accelerated Academic Literacies |
|
(3) |
Structure of English (ENGL 5 or equivalent) |
|
(3) |
College Composition II (Completion of ENGL 5 or ENGL 5M or equivalent with a C- or better; sophomore standing; must have completed 30 units prior to registration) |
|
(3) |
Studies in Applied Linguistics (GWAR certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W, or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X) |
|
(3) |
Children's Literary Classics (GWAR certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W, or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X) |
*Course to meet critical thinking requirement. See advisor for
specific options.
Mathematics (9 units)
(3) |
An Introduction to Exploration, Conjecture and Proof in Mathematics (MATH 9 or three years of high school mathematics which includes two years of algebra and one year of geometry; completion of ELM requirement and the Intermediate Algebra Diagnostic Test) |
|
(3) |
Fundamental Mathematical Concepts (MATH 17 and passing score on the Intermediate Algebra Diagnostic Test) |
|
(3) |
Fundamental Mathematical Concepts (MATH 107A) |
Note: Students who complete a mathematics concentration may substitute MATH 30, MATH 31, and MATH 35 for the above requirements. In addition, there are other ways of completing a concentration in mathematics. For further information on a concentration in mathematics, please consult the mathematics advisor in Liberal Studies.
Natural Science (15 units)
(4) | Introduction to the Science of Biology |
|
(3) |
Chemical Concepts (GEOL 8 or BIO 7, ENGL 20 or an equivalent second semester composition course) |
|
(3) |
Earth Science |
|
(1) |
Earth Science Lab for Teachers (GEOL 8; may be taken concurrently) |
|
(4) |
Conceptual Physics and Scientific Inquiry (BIO 7, CHEM 106, GEOL 8, MATH 17: Corequisite: CHEM 106 ) |
Social Science and Humanities (21 units)
(3) |
Themes in World Geography (Junior or Senior standing or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Essentials of Government |
|
(3) |
United States History, 1607-1877 |
|
(3) |
World Civilizations, Beginnings to 1600 |
|
(3) |
Topics in World History (HIST 50) |
|
(3) |
Topics in U.S. History, 1600-1900 (HIST 17A) OR |
|
Introduction to the United States Economy |
||
(3) |
California Studies (GOVT 1 or equivalent) |
Visual and Performing Arts (9 units)
(3) |
Elementary School Art Education (Upper division status; declared major or minor in Art, or a declared major in Child Development, Liberal Studies, or Blended Liberal Studies) |
|
(3) |
Experiences in Music |
|
(3) | Children's Theatre |
Physical Education (3 units)
(3) |
Movement Education |
Health Science (2 units)
(2) |
School Health Education (CPR training; may be taken concurrently) |
Human Development (3 units)
(3) |
Child and Adolescent Development |
Integrative Study (3 units)
(3) |
American Space and Identity OR |
|
(3) |
Elementary Mathematics and the Learning Process (MATH 17, MATH 107A, MATH 107B and CHDV 30 or CHDV 35) |
Field Experience (5 units)
(2) | Human Development and Elementary Field Experience (Corequisite: CHDV 35; may be taken concurrently) |
(3) Select one of the following:
|
Cooperative Education Experience (Approval of Department Chair) |
|
|
Tutoring Children in Mathematics (Corequisite: EDUC 124B) AND |
|
|
Tutoring Children in Mathematics: Practicum (Corequisite: EDUC 124A) |
|
|
Tutoring Children in Reading (Corequisite: EDUC 125B) AND |
|
EDUC 125B | Tutoring Children in Reading Practicum (Corequisite: EDUC 125A) |
The Core Requirements for the nontraditional program are similar to the Core Requirements for the traditional program except there are a number of substitutions that can be made. Please see an advisor for more information.
Summative Assessment Requirement (0 units)
In compliance with California Commission on Teacher Credentialing standards, in order to receive subject matter competency certification, students who complete the Liberal Studies major must pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET).
Note: Students will need to meet the foreign language graduation requirement in effect as per their catalog year.
B. Requirements for Concentrations (for traditional program)
Note: Students who are following the nontraditional program will complete a minor instead of a concentration. Please talk to an advisor for more information.
All concentrations require a minimum of 12 units, 3 of which may overlap with the core course requirements (except for concentration in multicultural studies). Students who wish to complete requirements for a supplementary authorization in any CCTC-approved discipline, which allows them to teach that subject in grades K-9, should see an advisor for important information.
Select one of the following concentrations:
Linguistics/Composition
(3) |
Studies in Applied Linguistics (GWAR certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W, or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109 M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X)) |
(9) Select three of the following:
Literature
(3) Select one of the following:
(3) Select one from each of the following series:
(3) Select one from the following series:
Foreign Language United States History
(3) Select one of the following:
World History
(3) Select one of the following:
California Studies
(3) Select one of the following:
American Studies
(3) Select one of the following:
Multicultural Studies (There is no overlap with core course requirements in this concentration.)
Chicano/Latino Emphasis
Asian American Emphasis
African American Emphasis
Native American Emphasis
Women's Studies Emphasis
Note: If planning to pursue a multiple subject credential with a Bilingual Emphasis (BCLAD) in Spanish or Asian languages, students must take two courses from Chicano/Latino Emphasis or Asian American Emphasis, respectively. Mathematics
Note: The courses given above are one path for completing a mathematics concentration. There are other ways of completing a mathematics concentration - please consult the mathematics advisor in Liberal Studies for more information. Natural Science
(9) Select three of the following:
Art
(3) Select one of the following:
Music
Theatre
Physical Education
Human Movement, Motor Development and/or Motor Learning (3 Units)
Team Sport (3 Units)
Individual, Dual, Nontraditional, Global Sport and Games (1-2 Units)
Students must complete the above classes for this concentration. A total of 10 upper division units (one in each category) must be completed for the supplemental authorization credential for Physical Education. (This allows teachers to teach physical education in grades K-9.) A grade of "C" or higher is required in every course to meet this requirement for a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved Supplementary Authorization (if still available). Human Development
(3) Select one of the following:
Note: Students who are following the nontraditional program will complete a minor instead of a concentration. Please talk to an advisor for more information. Career PossibilitiesThe traditional program of the Liberal Studies major is specifically designed to prepare students in the multiple disciplines that teachers in the kindergarten through middle school grades must have studied. The nontraditional program of the Liberal Studies major is recommended as a general major for those who wish to pursue a variety of career fields (including teaching). Faculty and Staff AdvisorsAdam Rechs, Biological Sciences; Mi-Suk Seo, English; Kristen Anderegg, Liberal Studies; Kimberly Elce, Mathematics and Statistics Contact InformationTimothy Fong, Program Director |