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University Catalog

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

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)

COMS 5

The Communication Experience

(3)

ENGL 5

Accelerated Academic Literacies

(3)

ENGL 16

Structure of English (ENGL 5 or equivalent)

(3)

ENGL 20*

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)

ENGL 116A

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)

ENGL 116B

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)

MATH 17

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)

MATH 107A

Fundamental Mathematical Concepts (MATH 17 and passing score on the Intermediate Algebra Diagnostic Test)

(3)

MATH 107B

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)

BIO 7

Introduction to the Science of Biology

(3)

CHEM 106

Chemical Concepts (GEOL 8 or BIO 7, ENGL 20 or an equivalent second semester composition course)

(3)

GEOL 8

Earth Science

(1)

GEOL 8T

Earth Science Lab for Teachers (GEOL 8; may be taken concurrently)

(4)

PHYS 107

Conceptual Physics and Scientific Inquiry (BIO 7, CHEM 106, GEOL 8, MATH 17: Corequisite: CHEM 106 )

Social Science and Humanities (21 units)

(3)

GEOG 100

Themes in World Geography (Junior or Senior standing or instructor permission)

(3)

GOVT 1

Essentials of Government

(3)

HIST 17A

United States History, 1607-1877

(3)

HIST 50

World Civilizations, Beginnings to 1600

(3)

HIST 132

Topics in World History (HIST 50)

(3)

HIST 187

Topics in U.S. History, 1600-1900 (HIST 17A) OR

ECON 104

Introduction to the United States Economy

(3)

LBST 110

California Studies (GOVT 1 or equivalent)

Visual and Performing Arts (9 units)

(3)

ART 133

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)

MUSC 101

Experiences in Music

(3)

THEA 118

Children's Theatre

Physical Education (3 units)

(3)

KINS 172

Movement Education

Health Science (2 units)

(2)

HLSC 136

School Health Education (CPR training; may be taken concurrently)

Human Development (3 units)

(3)

CHDV 35

Child and Adolescent Development

Integrative Study (3 units)

(3)

HRS 162

American Space and Identity OR

(3)

MATH 107C

Elementary Mathematics and the Learning Process (MATH 17, MATH 107A, MATH 107B and CHDV 30 or CHDV 35)

Field Experience (5 units)

(2)

CHDV 35F

Human Development and Elementary Field Experience (Corequisite: CHDV 35; may be taken concurrently)

(3) Select one of the following:

 

EDUC 194

Cooperative Education Experience (Approval of Department Chair)

 

EDUC 124A

Tutoring Children in Mathematics (Corequisite: EDUC 124B) AND

 

EDUC 124B

Tutoring Children in Mathematics: Practicum (Corequisite: EDUC 124A)

 

EDUC 125A

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

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)

ENGL 116A

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:

 

ENGL 110J

Traditional Grammar and Standard Usage

 

ENGL 110P

Second Language Learning and Teaching

 

ENGL 110Q

English Grammar for ESL Teachers

 

ENGL 120A

Advanced Composition (GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 70+, or at least a C- in ENGL 109M/W)

(3)

ENGL 125B

Writing and the Young Writer (ENGL 20 or 120A; and ENGL 110J, ENGL 110Q or ENGL 16)

Literature

(3)

ENGL 116B

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)

(3) Select one of the following:

ENGL 50A

Introduction to American Literature I

ENGL 150A

Early American Literature

ENGL 150B

American Romanticism (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

(3) Select one from each of the following series:

ENGL 165 series course

Literature of the English Speaking World

ENGL 180 series course

Studies in the Literature of Ethnic Minorities

(3) Select one from the following series:

 

ENGL 170 series course

Studies in Literary Genres and Modes

Foreign Language
Complete the minor requirements in a foreign language.

United States History

(3)

HIST 17A

U.S. History, 1607-1877

(3)

HIST 17B

U.S. History, 1877-Present

(3)

HIST 100

Introduction to Historical Skills

(3) Select one of the following:

HIST 150

Colonial America

HIST 151

The Age of the American Revolution

HIST 152

Young Republic, 1790-1840

HIST 153

Civil War and Reconstruction, 1840-1890

HIST 154

20th Century U.S., 1890-1940

HIST 183A

California History, 1542-1860

World History

(3)

HIST 50

World Civilizations: Beginnings to 1600

(3)

HIST 51

World Civilizations: 1600-Present

(3)

HIST 100

Introduction to Historical Skills

(3) Select one of the following:

HIST 110

The Ancient Near East: A Cultural History

HIST 111

Ancient Greece

HIST 112

Ancient Rome

HIST 113

Early Medieval Europe

HIST 114

Europe in the High Middle Ages

HIST 115

The Renaissance and Reformation in Europe

 

HIST 116

Europe, 1648-1815, The Age of Revolution

 

HIST 122A

History of Women in Western Civilization: Prehistory-Middle Ages (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

 

HIST 126

Evolution of Christianity to the Reformation

 

HIST 143A

Middle Eastern History to 1800

  HIST 148A China: Antiquity to 1600 AD

California Studies

(3)

ECON 114

The California Economy (ECON 1A and ECON 1B or ECON 104) OR

 

GEOG 131

California

(3)

GOVT 180

California State and Local Government

(3)

LBST 110

California Studies (GOVT 1 or equivalent)

(3) Select one of the following:

 

HIST 183A

California History, 1542-1860

 

HIST 183B

California History, 1860-1970

American Studies

(3)

HRS 161

Multicultural America

(3)

HRS 162

American Space and Identity

(3)

HRS/HIST 168

Images of America (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

(3) Select one of the following:

 

HIST 161

The American Vision

 

HIST 162

Social History of the U.S.

 

HIST 166

Popular Culture

 

HIST 167

History of American Women

 

HIST/HRS 169

Hollywood and America

 

HIST 182

American West

  HRS 185 Women in Film and American Culture

Multicultural Studies (There is no overlap with core course requirements in this concentration.)

(3)

EDUC 170

Bilingual Education: Introduction to Educating English Learners

(3)

ETHN 11

Introduction to Ethnic Studies OR

ETHN 100

Ethnic America (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

(6) Select two from any of the following categories or one from each of two categories:*

Chicano/Latino Emphasis

 

ANTH 106

Culture and Personality of the Chicano Child

 

ETHN 30

Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies

ETHN 130

Chicano/Mexican-American Experience

ETHN 131

La Raza Studies

 

ETHN 132

La Mujer Chicana

 

HIST 178

Mexican-American History

Asian American Emphasis

 

ETHN 110

The Asian American Experience

 

ETHN 111

Southeast Asians in the U.S.

African American Emphasis

 

ETHN 170

Pan African Studies

  HIST 177 The African American Experience, 1603-Present

Native American Emphasis

 

ETHN 140

Native American Experience

  HIST 171 American Indian History

Women's Studies Emphasis

 

HIST 167

History of American Women

 

WOMS 115

Introduction to Women's Studies

 

WOMS 136

Gender, Race and Class (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

 

WOMS 137

Women of Color

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

(3)

MATH 102

Number Theory (MATH 31)

(3)

MATH 107C

Elementary Mathematics and the Learning Process (MATH 17, MATH 107A, MATH 107B and CHDV 30 or CHDV 35)

(3)

MATH 121

College Geometry (MATH 31, MATH 32, or MATH 35)

(3)

MATH 190

History of Mathematics (MATH 31 and upper division standing in 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

(3)

CHEM 106

Chemical Concepts (GEOL 8 or BIO 7, ENGL 20 or an equivalent second semester composition course)

(9) Select three of the following:

ANTH 154

Primate Behavior

ASTR 4B

Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology (One year of high school geometry or instructor permission)

ASTR 132

Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology (ASTR 4A or ASTR 4B, or ASTR 4C or PHYS 11A or CHEM 1A and GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

BIO 102

The Natural History of Plants (A college course in biology or instructor permission)

BIO 103

Plants and Civilization (BIO 10 or equivalent)

BIO 106

Genetics: From Mendel to Molecules

 

CHEM 6A

Introduction to General Chemistry (One year high school algebra)

 

CHEM 6B

Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry (CHEM 1A or CHEM 6A or a high school chemistry course and passing a qualifying exam given in the first laboratory period)

GEOG 111

Elements of Meteorology (GEOG 1 or instructor permission)

GEOG 113

Climate (GEOG 1 or GEOG 5 or GEOL 8 or GEOL 10 or ENVS 10, or instructor permission)

GEOL 121

Geology of California (GEOL 5 or GEOL 10)

GEOL 130

Oceanography

 

PHSC 107

History of the Physical Sciences

PHYS 30

Science and Pseudoscience

PHYS 186

Musical Acoustics: Science and Sound

Art

(3)

ART 1A

Art in the Western World: From Stone Age to End of Middle Ages OR

 

ART 1B

Art in the Western World: From Renaissance to Present

(3)

ART 133

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)

ART 137

Art for Exceptional Children

(3) Select one of the following:

ART 20A

Beginning Drawing

ART 53

Beginning Hand-Built Ceramics

ART 60

Two-Dimensional Composition

ART 70

Form, Space and Vision

ART 88

Beginning Sculpture

  ART 148 Barrio Art for Ethnic Groups

Music

(3)

MUSC 5

Beginning Theory (Placement by Exam)

(3)

MUSC 18

Music Appreciation

(3)

MUSC 101

Experiences in Music

(3)

MUSC 119A

World Music: Asia OR

MUSC 119B

World Music: Africa OR

MUSC 119C

World Music: Latin America

Theatre

(3)

THEA 1

Introduction to Theatre OR

 

THEA 9

Appreciation of Acting

(3)

THEA 115

Puppetry OR

 

THEA 115A

Multicultural Puppetry

(3)

THEA 118

Children's Theatre

Physical Education
Fundamental and Creative Movement Skills (6 units)

(3)

KINS 138

Teaching Strategies in Physical Education (Prerequisite or co-requisite to all KINS 140 series classes)

(3)

KINS 172

Movement Education

Human Movement, Motor Development and/or Motor Learning (3 Units)
(3) Select one from the following:

 

KINS 150

Exercise and Sport Physiology

 

KINS 176

Perceptual Motor Development

 

KINS 177

Introduction to Adapted Physical Education (GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or C or higher grade in ENGL 109M/W or (C- grade in ENGL 109M/W or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X)

Team Sport (3 Units)

(3)

KINS 145

Pro Act III - Team Sports (KINS 138; Corequisite: KINS 138)

Individual, Dual, Nontraditional, Global Sport and Games (1-2 Units)
(1-2) Select one from the following:

 

KINS 141

Pro Act I - Dual Sports (KINS 138; Corequisite: KINS 138)

 

KINS 146

Pro Act IV - Individual Sports (KINS 138; Corequisite: KINS 138)

 

KINS 148

Analysis of Nontraditional Games and Sports (KINS 138; Corequisite KINS 138)

 

KINS 149

Professional Activities of Health and Skill Related Fitness (KINS 138; Corequisite: KINS 138)

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)

CHDV 35

Child and Adolescent Development

(3)

CHDV 133

Research in Human Development (CHDV 30 or CHDV 35 and completion of 45 total units of credit)

(3)

CHDV 136

Developmental Experiences; Methods and Curriculum (CHDV 123; CHDV 123 may be taken concurrently)

(3) Select one of the following:

 

CHDV 135

Cross-Cultural Child Development (CHDV 133; CHDV 133 may be taken concurrently)

 

FACS 50

The Family and Social Issues

 

FACS 150

Family Stress and Coping: Multicultural Focus (FACS 50 or equivalent with instructor permission; and GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

 

SOC 169

Changing American Family

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 Possibilities

The 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 Advisors

Adam Rechs, Biological Sciences; Mi-Suk Seo, English; Kristen Anderegg, Liberal Studies; Kimberly Elce, Mathematics and Statistics

Contact Information

Timothy Fong, Program Director
Deborah James, Administrative Support Coordinator
Lassen Hall 2008
(916) 278-6342
www.csus.edu/libs



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