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University Catalog 2024-2025
Liberal Studies, B.A.
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Overview
The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Liberal Studies offers three options. 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 Liberal Studies Students (75 units)
- General Education (48 units)
- Lower Division (39 units)
- Upper Division (9 units)
- Major Core Requirements (27 units)
- Core Courses (18 units)
- Breadth Courses (9 units)
- Units in Options (21 - 58 units)
- Option I - Interdisciplinary Studies in Culture and Society (21 units), allows students to acquire an in-depth understanding of how ideology and discourse shape cultural traditions and social institutions. 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.
- Option II - Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation: Traditional Option (21 units), provides students a broad-based education in multiple subjects that can include a waiver for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers: Multiple Subjects. Option II prepares prospective teachers for grades K-8. Students in Option II can take coursework that can lead to a waiver for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) Multiple Subjects. A grade of C or higher is required in all major courses and all Elementary Subject Matter courses. 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.
- Option III - Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation: Integrated Option (53 - 58 units), 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. Students in Option III can take coursework that can lead to a waiver for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) Multiple Subjects. 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 College of Education section of this catalog for regulations governing all teaching credential programs.
Students in Option III must complete 31 to 41 units of coursework in Multiple Subject (38-41 units) or Education Specialist (31-32 units) credentials.
Preliminary Admission to a Teaching Credential Program
Requirements for undergraduate preliminary admission to credential programs include the following:
• Junior standing
• Completion of 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.
 Admission Criteria  Learning Outcomes  Roadmap
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Requirements for the Major (48 - 85 units)
Core Requirements (27 units)
I. Liberal Studies Core Courses (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: II. 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. Select one course from each of the following group:
Option Requirements (21-58 units)
Select one of the three options: Option I: Interdisciplinary Studies in Culture and Society (21 units)
Students in Option I must take 21 units in one of the depth areas listed as 1-5 below, or 9 units in one depth area and 12 units in the second depth areas listed as 1-5 below. Of the 21 units taken in the depth area(s), 15 units must be upper-division (3000-4000 level courses). Courses taken to satisfy a depth area for the option cannot be double counted to meet major degree requirements. Depth Area 1: American Studies (9 or 12 or 21 units)
A. Interdisciplinary Approaches (3 units)
Select one course from the following: - LBS 4100 - National Identity, Race, and Popular Culture [3]
- LBS 4340 - Public Culture [3]
- LBS 4610 - Public Humanities and Community Learning [3]
- LBS 4665 - Science Fiction Across Media (also listed as TVF 4665) [3]
B. Social Science Perspectives (3 units)
With major advisor approval select one American Studies course from the following departments:
Asian and Asian American Studies (AAAS), Anthropology (ANTH), Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies (CLS), Geography (GEOG, GEOL), History (HIST), Latin American Studies (LAS), Pan African Studies (PAS), Political Science (POLS), Sociology (SOC).
C. Arts and Humanities Perspectives (3 units)
With major adviser approval select one American studies course from the following departments:
Art (ART), Communication Studies (COMM), English (ENGL), Music (MUS, MTD), Philosophy (PHIL), Theatre and Dance (DANC, TA)
D. Electives (0-12 units)
With major adviser approval, students select up to 12 units in American studies from the Social Science, Arts and Humanities departments listed above. No more than 12 units can be taken within any one department.
Depth Area 2: Cultural Studies (9 or 12 or 21 units)
A. Cultural Studies Required Course (3 units) - LBS 4600 - Cultural Studies: Theories and Methods [3]
B. Electives (6 or 18 units)
With major adviser approval, select courses in cultural studies from the following departments. No more than 12 units can be taken within any one department.
Asian and Asian American Studies (AAAS), Anthropology (ANTH), Art (ART), Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies (CLS), Communication Studies (COMM), English (ENGL), Geosciences and Environment (GEOG, GEOL), History (HIST), Latin American Studies (LAS), Liberal Studies (LBS), Modern Languages and Literature (MLL) , Music (MUS, MTD), Pan African Studies (PAS), Political Science (POLS), Sociology (SOC), Television, Film, and Media Studies (JOUR, TVF), Theatre and Dance (DANC, TA), Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS)
Depth Area 3: Race and Ethnicity Studies (9 or 12 or 21 units)
A. Race and Ethnicity Studies Required Course (3 units) - LBS 4100 - National Identity, Race, and Popular Culture [3]
B. Electives (6 or 18 units)
With major adviser approval, select 6 or 18 units of upper division courses in Asian and Asian American Studies (AAAS), Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies (CLS), Latin American Studies (LAS), and Pan African Studies (PAS) and courses focused on race and ethnicity from Anthropology (ANTH), Art (ART), Dance (DANC), English (ENGL), Geography (GEOG), History (HIST), Liberal Studies (LBS), Music (MUS), Philosophy (PHIL), Sociology (SOC), Television, Film, and Media Studies (JOUR, TVF), Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS), and related programs and departments. No more than 12 units can be taken within any one department.
Depth Area 4: Science, Technology, and Medicine Studies (9 or 12 or 21 units)
A. Science, Technology, and Medicine Studies Required Courses (3 units)
Select one course: - LBS 3860 - Gender in Science (also listed as WGSS 3860) [3]
- LBS 4200 - Cultures of Science (also listed as NATS 4200) [3]
B. Electives (6 or 18 units)
With major adviser approval, select 6 or 18 units of upper division courses related to science, technology, and medicine studies from Anthropology (ANTH), English (ENGL), Geography (GEOG), History (HIST), Liberal Studies (LBS), Philosophy (PHIL), Technology (TECH), Television, Film, and Media Studies (JOUR, TVF); and related departments. No more than 12 units in the depth area can be taken within any one department.
Depth Area 5: Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (9 or 12 or 21 units)
A. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Courses (9 units) - WGSS 2000 - Introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies [3]
- WGSS 3000 - Theories in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies [3]
- WGSS 4000 - Knowledge, Power, and Research Justice in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies [3]
B. Electives (0 or 12 units)
With major adviser approval, students select 0-12 units of courses in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) or related courses in Anthropology (ANTH), Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies (CLS), English (ENGL), History (HIST), Latin American Studies (LAS), Pan African Studies (PAS), Sociology (SOC), Television, Film, and Media Studies (JOUR, TVF), and related departments.
Option II. Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation: Traditional Option (21 units)
Students who select Option II must complete 21 units, which include 9 units in selected of the depth area (areas 6-10), and a minimum of 12 units of Directed Electives (Elementary Subject Matter courses). 15 units must be upper-division (3000-4000 level courses).
Students in this option can take coursework that can lead to a waiver for CSET Multiple Subjects and should consult with a College of Arts and Letters or Department of Liberal Studies adviser.
Some students may choose to take the CSET Multiple Subjects examinations instead of completing the waiver. Based on a student’s previous/current coursework, advisers will recommend depth and directed elective courses to help students prepare for the CSET Multiple Subjects examinations.
Depth Area (9 units)
Depth areas 6-10 contain courses that are included in the 84-unit California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) Waiver. See College of Arts and Letters or Liberal Studies Department adviser for a list of courses. Depth areas are not required for students who choose to take courses for the CSET Waiver. Students who wish to take the CSET Multiple Subjects examinations will choose to complete 9 units in one of the depth areas listed as 6-10 below.
Depth Area 6: Creativity and Performance
Depth Area 7: Language Arts
Depth Area 8: Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning
Depth Area 9: Natural Science
Depth Area 10: Social Science
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 Multiple Subjects.
If a student has completed all sections of the CSET Multiple Subjects, then with adviser approval, a minimum of 12 units that do not count for other requirements must be taken from the courses listed below.
Note: * indicates the course satisfies the general education requirement.
A. Reading, Language and Literature; History and Social Science (CSET Subtest I)
B. Science and Mathematics (CSET Subtest II)
C. Physical Education, Human Development, Visual and Performing Arts (CSET Subtest III)
Option III. Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation: Integrated Option (53-58 units)
Option III prepares prospective teachers for grades K-8. However, students in Option III can also complete requirements for a Multiple Subjects or Education Specialist Intern credential as a part of completing their Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies. Students must meet minimum requirements for a Multiple Subjects or Education Specialist Intern credential in order to complete this option. Students should meet with a College of Arts and Letters or Liberal Studies major adviser to discuss the appropriate time to apply to the credential of choice. Refer to the College of Education section of this catalog for regulations, admissions requirements, and coursework related to the Multiple Subjects and Education Specialist Intern credentials.
Students in this option can take coursework that can lead to a waiver for the CSET Multiple Subjects.
Some students may choose to take the CSET Multiple Subjects examinations instead of the waiver. Based on a student’s previous/current coursework, advisers will recommend directed elective courses to help students prepare for the CSET Multiple Subjects. With the approval of a Liberal Studies advisor, students who pass all sections of the CSET Multiple Subjects 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 120-125 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, 9 units in a selected depth area (students following the list of courses for the CSET Waiver DO NOT need to choose a depth area), 12 units of advisor recommended Directed Electives (Elementary Subject Matter courses; for students following the list of courses for the CSET Waiver these 12 units of Directed Electives are included in that list), 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). Of the 21 units taken in depth area (9 units) and directed electives (12 units) courses, 15 units must be upper division (3000- or 4000-level courses).
Depth Area (9 units)
Students in Option III who choose to take the CSET: Multiple Subjects Examinations must complete 9 units in one of the depth areas listed under Option II. 3 of these 9 units can double-count in general education and 3 of which double-count as a prerequisite 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 CSET Multiple Subjects, 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.
A. Elementary Education (for Multiple Subject Teaching Credential) (38-41 units)
Completion of this course of study, the California Multiple Subject Teacher Preparation Assessments, and passage of the CSET Multiple Subjects qualify students for a preliminary Multiple Subject credential. Students must pass the CSET Multiple Subjects prior to enrollment in the Directed Teaching courses EDEL 4880 and EDEL 4881 .
Prerequisite Courses (12 units)
Electives (24 units)
Prerequisites: Students must satisfy GE A1 or the Speech Proficiency Assessment for Teachers.
Directed Teaching (10 units)
Must attend a mandatory directed teaching meeting prior to enrolling in these courses. B. Special Education (Eligibility for an Education Specialist Intern Credential) (31-32 units)
Completion of this course of study and completion of a subject matter waiver or 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 (8 units) and directed teaching in their area of specialization.
Prerequisite Courses (4 units)
Specialization: Internship Emphasis (6-7 units)
Complete appropriate course work in the selected area of specialization below. 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.
Note to Education Specialist internship credential candidates:
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 EDSP 4001 .
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