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

3. Pre/co-requisites to the Major:

(9 units)

Human Developement

(3 units)

The Major

(28 units excluding concentration)

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

1. Development and Assessment

Complete all of the following required courses:

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)

Complete one of the following required courses:

4. Integrative Inquiry

(12 units)

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

Area A: Social Inquiry

(3 units)

Area B: Scientific/Mathematical Inquiry

(3 units)

Area C: Humanistic Inquiry

(3 units)

Area D: Artistic Inquiry

(3 units)

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.