Dec 04, 2024  
2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Liberal Studies B.A.


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View information for the Department of Liberal Studies .

Liberal Studies is a pre-professional Subject Matter Preparation Program leading to enrollment in a Multiple Subject Credential Program (MSCP).

Liberal Studies majors may be admitted to the credential program prior to completing their bachelor degrees. Units in the credential program can be applied as upper-division elective credit toward satisfying the 120-unit requirement for graduation.

Note: Please check with the Department of Liberal Studies for current information. The University will make changes to the program leading to the credential whenever revisions are required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

Coordinating with the Multiple Subject Credential Program

At this time, Liberal Studies is the only major at CSU Stanislaus offering an approved Subject Matter Preparation Program leading to a Multiple Subject Credential Program (MSCP). Students who do not complete the Liberal Studies major will be required to take and pass the CSET for entry into the MSCP. Liberal Studies majors who enter the MSCP without the California Subject Examination for Teachers: Multiple Subjects (CSET) must pass CSET as a condition of advancement to student teaching.

Currently, admission to the CSU Stanislaus MSCP requires either a 2.67 overall grade point average or a 2.75 grade point average in the last 60 units. Additional details and information pertaining to entrance into the credential program is available in the College of Education section of the Graduate catalog, and at the Teacher Education Department office. Students should consult with the MSCP Coordinator for changes in the precise requirements for admission to the credential program.

Requirements


1. General Education


Complete the General Education Breadth Requirements  (GE) for the Bachelor of Arts degree (51 units minimum) and a minimum of 120 semester units for graduation. Grades of a C–, credit, or better are required.

2. Subject Matter Preparation Program Requirements


The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires Liberal Studies majors to complete an approved course in each of the following subjects with a grade of C–, credit, or better. Requirements may be met in GE, in the major, or in additional coursework. Review the Liberal Studies Advising and Articulation Guides for approved courses. Guides are available in the Department and on the Department website.

Subject Matter Requirements include:


  • Oral Communication
  • Composition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Introduction to Earth Science (including Astronomy)
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Physical Science Lab
  • Biological Science
  • Biological Science Lab
  • Art
  • Music
  • Theatre
  • Two activity, performance, or studio courses in two different disciplines (Art, Music, Theatre)
  • Children’s Literature
  • Philosophy or Humanities Survey
  • US History (Exploration through 1877)
  • American Government
  • World History (Ancient and Medieval)
  • Geography
  • California History
  • Computer Science

The Major


(28 units excluding concentration)

Major and concentration courses require letter grades of C– or better.

1. Development and Assessment


2. Second Language Acquisition


(3 units)

Complete one of the following:


(Credit will not be given for both ENGL 4800 and COMM 4800 in the LIBS Major.)

3. Multicultural Perspectives


(3 units)

4. Integrative Inquiry


(12 units)

Complete one inquiry course in each of these subject matter areas:


5. Concentration


(18-22 units)

A concentration is required. Twelve of the 18-22 units must be upper-division and approved by a concentration adviser. While concentration units may cross count with lower-division General Education and the Liberal Studies major, no concentration units may cross count with upper-division General Education. Twelve units may not cross count with upper-division General Education or major courses. Concentration courses require letter grades of C- or better.

Approved Concentrations:

Anthropology  English 
Applied Philosophy  Ethnic Studies 
Art  Exceptional Children and Youth 
Bilingual/Crosscultural: Geography 
  Southeast Asian  History 
Bilingual/Crosscultural: Mathematics 
  Spanish  Music 
Biological Sciences  Physical Education 
Chemistry  Physics and Physical Sciences 
Child Development  Sociology 
Civics  Spanish 
Communication Studies  Teaching English to Speakers of
Earth Sciences    Other Languages (TESOL )
Economics  Theatre 

A list of Liberal Studies Concentration Advisers is available in the Liberal Studies Department and on the Department website: www.csustan.edu/Liberal Studies

Learning Objectives


Liberal Studies graduates:

  • Make explicit connections between California K-8 Content Standards and Subject Matter knowledge in Liberal Studies major coursework.
  • Demonstrate integrative thinking through the development of projects that connect and integrate discipline knowledge across subject matter areas.
  • Demonstrate integrative thinking through the development of projects that connect and integrate discipline knowledge across subject matter areas.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to the diverse cultural, linguistic, and learning abilities of students, and understanding of a variety of teaching strategies to effectively teach all learners.
  • Demonstrate effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills in a variety of communication contexts
  • Reflect thoughtfully and critically examine volunteer service activities in K-8 classrooms.
  • Demonstrate educational technologies relevant to teaching and learning.

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