Mar 28, 2024  
University Catalog 2019-2020 
    
University Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Liberal Studies, B.A.


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The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Liberal Studies offers three options.

Option I, Interdisciplinary Studies in Culture and Society, allows students to acquire an in-depth understanding of how ideology and discourse shape cultural traditions and social institutions.

Option II, the Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation: Traditional Option, provides students a broad-based education in multiple subjects that can include a waiver for the California Subject Examinations For Teachers: Multiple Subjects (CSET:MS). Option III, the Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation: Integrated Option, provides qualified students the opportunity to complete the requirements for a Multiple Subjects or Special Education teaching credential while completing the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Option III students may choose to take courses for the CSET waiver. Particular requirements and restrictions apply to candidates for teaching. Therefore, early consultation with a College of Arts and Letters or Liberal Studies advisor is essential. Refer to the Charter College of Education section of this catalog for regulations governing all teaching credential programs. All Liberal Studies options place a strong emphasis on developing student skills in writing, information literacy, and analysis of diversity across disciplines, contexts, and media.

Advisement
All students who intend to major in Liberal Studies should confer with a College of Arts and Letters or Liberal Studies advisor by the end of the first semester of residence in order to select an option, establish an official degree program, and develop an academic plan.

Units in Common to all Options

  • General Education (48 units) 
    •  Lower Division (39 units)
    •  Upper Division (9 units)
  •  Major Requirements (27 units)
    • Core Course (18 units)
    • Breadth (9 units)
  •  Units in Options (24 -61 units)
    • Option I : Interdisciplinary Studies in Culture and Society (24 units)
    • Option II: Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation: Traditional (43 units)
    • Option III: Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation: Integrated (56-61 units)

For Major Specific Admissions Criteria go to http://www.calstatela.edu/admissions/major-specific-criteria

Major Requirements (27 units)


Liberal Studies Core Requirements (18 units)


The Liberal Studies core requirements are designed to provide the necessary analytical framework, including rhetorical skills, theoretical concepts, research methods, and techniques of argumentation to enable students to master each of the available options in the Liberal Studies major. All students in the major must complete the following core courses:

Liberal Studies Breadth Courses (9 units)


Students in all Liberal Studies options take 9 units of required courses in Liberal Studies with major advisor approval. Courses taken for a depth area cannot be double counted as Breadth courses.

Option I: Interdisciplinary Studies in Culture and Society (24 units)


This option offers students the opportunity to pursue an integrative interdisciplinary course of study that will provide them with a broad base of knowledge and skills. The knowledge and skills developed in this option prepare students for careers in fields such as education, law, journalism, publishing, government, business, and non-profit work.

In addition to the 48 units of General Education Requirements, 18 units of Liberal Studies core requirements and 9 units of Liberal Studies breadth courses, students in Option I must complete 48 units, of which, 24 units in one or two depth areas (listed below), and 24 units of free electives. Of the 24 units taken in the depth area(s), 15 units must be upper division (3000- or 4000-level courses).

Required Courses in Depth Areas (24 units)


Students in Option I must take 24 units in one of the depth areas listed as 1-5 below or 12 units in two of the depth areas listed as 1-5 below. Courses taken to satisfy a depth area cannot be double counted with other major requirements.

1. Depth Area in American Studies (12 or 24 units)

Required courses (12 units)
Interdisciplinary Approaches (6 units)
In addition to the core course LBS 4050 (3 units), with major advisor approval, select one additional course from the following.

Social Science Perspectives (3 units)
With major advisor approval select one American Studies course from the following departments:
Asian and Asian American Studies, Anthropology, Chicano/a Studies, Geography, History, Latin American Studies, Pan African Studies, Political Science, Sociology

Arts and Humanities Perspectives (3 units)
With major advisor approval select one American studies course from the following departments:
Art, Communication Studies, English, Music, Philosophy, Theatre Arts and Dance

Electives (0-12 units)
With major advisor approval, students select 8 units in American studies from the departments listed above or from related departments. No more than 12 units in the depth area can be taken in any one department.

2. Depth Area in Cultural Studies (12 or 24 units)

Required course (6 units)
In addition to the core course LBS 4050 (3 units), take:
LBS 4600 - Cultural Studies: Theories and Methods (3)  

Electives (6-18 units)
With major advisor approval select courses in cultural studies from the following departments. No more than 12 units in the depth area can be taken in any one department.
Asian and Asian American Studies, Anthropology, Art, Chicano/a Studies, Communication Studies, English, Geography, History, Latin American Studies, Liberal Studies, Modern Languages and Literatures, Music, Pan African Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Television, Film, and Media Studies, Theatre Arts and Dance, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

3. Depth Area in Race and Ethnicity Studies (12 or 24 units)

Required course (6 units)
In addition to the core course LBS 4050 (3 units), take:
LBS 4100 - National Identity, Race, and Popular Culture (3)  

Electives (6 or 18 units)
With major advisor approval, select 6-18 units of upper division courses in Asian and Asian American Studies, Chicano Studies, Latin American Studies, and Pan African Studies and courses focused on race and ethnicity from Anthropology, Art, Dance, English, Geography, History, Liberal Studies, Music, Philosophy, Sociology, Television and Film, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and related programs and departments. No more than 12 units can be taken in any one department.

4. Depth area in Science, Technology, and Medicine Studies (12 or 24 units)

Required course (6 units)

Interdisciplinary Approaches, in addition to the core course LBS 4050 (3 units), take one course from the following:

Electives (6-18 units)
With major advisor approval, select 6-18 units of upper division courses related to science, technology, and medicine studies from Anthropology, English, Geography, History, Liberal Studies, Philosophy, Technology, Television and Film, and related departments. No more than 12 units in the depth area can be taken in any one department.
 

5. Depth Area in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (12 or 24 units)

Required courses (12 units)

In addition to the core course LBS 4050 (3 units), take all of the following courses:

Electives (0 or 12 units)
With major advisor approval, students select 0-12 units of courses in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies or related courses in Anthropology, Chicano Studies, English, History, Latin American Studies, Pan African Studies, Sociology, Television and Film, and related departments.

Option II. Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation: Traditional Option (43 units)


Option II prepares prospective teachers for grades K-8. Students in this option take coursework that can lead to a waiver for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers: Multiple Subjects (CSET:MS). A grade of C or higher is required in all major courses and all Elementary Subject Matter courses. 

Students who select Option II must complete the following coursework for a total of 120 units: 48 units of general education requirements, 18 units of Liberal Studies core requirements (listed above), 9 units of required courses in Liberal Studies (listed above), 12 units in a selected depth area, and a minimum of 12 units of Directed Electives (Elementary Subject Matter courses). Students in this option must also take an additional 19 units of Elementary Subject Matter related coursework. 

Required Courses in Depth Area (12 units)
In order to complete their Multiple Subjects Waiver (CSET: MS) requirements, students in Option II must complete 12 units in one of the depth areas as 6-10 listed below.

6. Depth Area in Creativity and Performance (12 units)


Interdisciplinary Approaches (6 units),In addition to the core course LBS 4050 (3 units), take 

Creative Activity and Performance (6 units)
With the approval of a Liberal Studies advisor, select 6 units in Creative Activity or Performance coursework from the courses listed below :

7. Depth area in Language Arts (12 units)


Interdisciplinary Approaches (6 units)

In addition to the core course LBS 4050 (3 units), take one of the followings:

Electives (6 units)
With major advisor approval, students select 6 units from the courses listed below and upper division language arts courses in English, Philosophy, Communication Studies, or related departments.
ENGL 4101 - Introduction to English Linguistics (3)  
ENGL 4880 - Children’s Literature (3)  
EDCI 4010 - English Language Development (3)  

8. Depth area in Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (12 units)


Interdisciplinary Approaches (6 units)
In addition to the core course LBS 4050 (3 units), take 

Electives (6 units)
With major advisor approval, students select 6 units from the courses listed below, courses in Mathematics, or from related courses

9. Depth area in Natural Science (12 units)


Interdisciplinary Approaches (6 units), In addition to the core course LBS 4050 (3 units), take 

Electives (6 units)

With major advisor approval, select 6 units of coursework from the courses listed below or from courses in Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences, Natural Science, Physics, and related departments. 

10. Depth area in Social Science (12 units)


Interdisciplinary Approaches (6 units), In addition to the core course LBS 4050 (3 units), take one of the followings:

Electives (6 units)
With major advisor approval, select 6 units of coursework from the courses listed below or from upper-division courses in History, Geography, and Political Science (3 units)
HIST 1010 - World History to 1500 CE (3)  
HIST 1020 - World History since 1500 CE (3)  
HIST 2080 - California (3)  

Directed Electives (Elementary Subject Matter Courses) (12 units)


Students in Option II must complete all of the courses listed below with a grade of “C” or better if they wish to waive the CSET:MS. Courses with an asterisk (*) should be taken to satisfy general education requirements (which are listed in italics next to the course). If a student has completed all sections of the CSET:MS, then with advisor approval a minimum of 12 units that do not count for other requirements must be taken from the courses listed below. 

1. Reading, Language and Literature; History and Social Science (CSET Subtest)

HIST 2010 - United States History to 1877 (3)  *
POLS 1000 - Government and American Society (3)  * 
HIST 1010 - World History to 1500 CE (3)  *
HIST 1020 - World History since 1500 CE (3)  *
HIST 2080 - California (3)  

2. Science and Mathematics (CSET Subtest II)

3. Physical Education, Human Development, Visual and Performing Arts (CSET Subtest III)

Option III. Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation: Integrated Option (56 - 61 units)


Similar to Option II, Option III prepares prospective teachers for grades K-8. However, students in Option III can also complete requirements for a Multiple Subjects or Special Education Credential as a part of completing their Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies. Students must meet minimum requirements for a Multiple Subject or Special Education credential in order to complete this option. Students should meet with a College of Arts and Letters or Liberal Studies major advisor to discuss the appropriate time to apply to the credential of choice. Refer to the Charter College of Education section of this catalog for regulations, admissions requirements, and coursework related to the Multiple Subjects and Special Education credentials. 

Students in this option can take coursework that can lead to a waiver for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers: Multiple Subjects (CSET:MS).

Some students may choose to take the CSET: MS instead of the waiver. Based on a student’s previous coursework, advisors will recommend directed elective courses to help students prepare for the CSET: MS. With the approval of a Liberal Studies advisor, students who pass all sections of the CSET can count credential coursework toward the directed electives requirement. A grade of C or higher is required in all courses used to meet the major requirements for this option. 

Students who select Option III must complete the following coursework for a total of 120-128 units: 48 units of general education requirements (9 of which can be double-counted for major requirements), 18 units of Liberal Studies core requirements (listed above), 9 units of required courses in Liberal Studies, 12 units in a selected depth area, 12 units of advisor recommended Directed Electives (Elementary Subject Matter courses), 32-41 units of credential courses (some of which can be double-counted as directed electives if all sections of the Multiple Subjects CSET are passed), and 1 unit of free elective (if needed).

Depth Area (12 units)
Students in Option III must complete 12 units in one depth area (listed under Option II). 3 of these 12 units can double-count in general education and 3 of which double-count as a pre-requisite for the Multiple Subject credential 

Directed Electives (12 units)
Students in Option III must complete 12 units of directed electives. If a student has not passed all sections of the Multiple Subjects CSET, these electives must be selected from the list of Directed Electives (Elementary Subject Matter) courses or from other appropriate courses (see Option II). If a student has passed all sections of the CSET Multiple Subjects, then credential courses may be counted for this requirement. 

Credential (32-41 units)
Students in Option III must complete 32 to 41 units of coursework in one of the following Multiple Subject or Education Specialist credentials. 

Preliminary Admission to a Teaching Credential Program
Requirements for undergraduate preliminary admission to credential programs include the following:
•    Junior standing
•    Completion of Charter College of Education application materials, including any fees
•    A minimum grade point average of 2.67 in all undergraduate coursework attempted
•    Official transcripts from all colleges attended
•    Proof of a negative TB test current within the last 12 months
•    Proficiency with technology
•    Strong and supportive letters of recommendation
•    A well written and meaningful Philosophy of Education Statement
•    Background clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
•    Proof that all sections of the Multiple Subject CBEST examination have been attempted

Teaching Credential Preparation
A minimum GPA of 2.67 in all undergraduate coursework and completion of all application requirements are prerequisite to enrollment in EDCI 4000 or EDSP 4001. An overall 3.0 GPA must be maintained in all professional education courses with a minimum grade of “C” in each course. Students should see an advisor regarding completion of the degree and other credential requirements.

Select one of the following:


A. Elementary Education 
(For a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential)
Completion of this course of study, completion of the California Multiple Subject Teacher Preparation Assessments, and passage of the CSET Multiple Subjects qualifies students for a preliminary Multiple Subject credential. Students must pass the CSET Multiple Subjects prior to enrollment in EDCI 4830 and EDCI 4831.

Required Prerequisite Courses (6 - 9 units)

Electives (24 units)
Students must satisfy GE Oral Communication (3) or the Speech Proficiency Assessment for Teachers (1) and the Writing Proficiency Examination (0) or an acceptable alternative by petition before enrolling in the following courses. 

Directed Teaching (8 units)
(Must attend a mandatory directed teaching meeting prior to enrolling in these courses)

B. Special Education
(Eligibility for an Education Specialist Internship Credential)
Completion of this course of study and passage of the CSET qualifies students for an internship credential with verification of employment from a cooperating school district. For a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential, students must complete the additional post-baccalaureate credential coursework and directed teaching in their area of specialization (i.e., Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, Physical and Health Impairments or Visual Impairment and Blindness).

Required Prerequisite Courses (4 units)

Electives (21 units)

Internship Emphasis: Specialization (7 units)
Complete 7 units of appropriate course work in the selected area of specialization. Students must pass all sections of the CBEST and apply for directed teaching by the second week of the semester prior to enrollment in their first directed teaching experience. 

Mild-to-Moderate Disabilities

Moderate-to-Severe Disabilities

Physical and Health Impairments

Visual Impairment and Blindness

Upon completion of the undergraduate program in Liberal Studies, Education Specialist Internship Credential candidates must rematriculate as post-baccalaureate or graduate students and complete the final requirements for their credential, including an additional Directed Teaching experience. A written plan outlining additional requirements will be prepared while enrolled in EDUC 4001. 
 

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