DEPARTMENT CHAIR
James R. Hofmann
DEPARTMENT OFFICE
Humanities 214
DEPARTMENT WEBSITE
http://hss.fullerton.edu/liberal
PROGRAMS OFFERED
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Minor in Liberal Studies
FACULTY
Emily Bonney, April Bullock, Ronald Clapper, Mark Fischer, Margaret Garber, Joseph Gonzalez, James Hofmann, Kevin Lambert, Rachel Lindheim, Edward Maine, Craig McConnell, Andrea Patterson, Angeles Sancho-Velazquez, Bradley Starr, Saul Tobias
ADVISERS
Emily Bonney, April Bullock, Ronald Clapper, James Hofmann, Craig McConnell, Bradley Starr
INTRODUCTION
Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary department that integrates concepts from the humanities and arts, the natural sciences and the social sciences. Some core courses trace the historical development of these areas of knowledge in their intellectual and cultural context. The broad framework of these courses will enable students to see the whole range of human knowledge. Other core courses compare and contrast the methods and underlying assumptions of the humanities and arts, the natural sciences and the social sciences, and explore the ways in which these disciplines communicate. The critical thinking and communication skills these courses develop provide students with the self-confidence that comes from being able to express one’s ideas clearly and effectively both orally and in writing. The core courses use a combination of lecture, discussion and seminar to make the student not only a well-rounded, well-educated person, but also a more independent thinker and a more creative human being.
The major in Liberal Studies is designed for students who desire the broadest possible liberal education: (1) as preparation for teaching all subjects in the elementary school classroom; (2) as an alternative approach to careers in business; (3) as preprofessional preparation for entry into professional schools in the health sciences, law, ministry, etc.; (4) as a means of obtaining specific occupational requirements that cannot be met from coursework in a single department; (5) and as a source of personal growth and development.
AWARDS IN LIBERAL STUDIES
The Outstanding Elementary Education Plan Student Award and the Outstanding Thematic Plan Student Award go to the outstanding graduating senior in each plan.
MULTIPLE SUBJECT CREDENTIAL PROGRAM
In addition to completing their B.A. in Liberal Studies, students seeking a Multiple Subject (Elementary) Credential need to enter a state-approved Multiple Subject Credential Program.
The Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies may be effectively combined with subject matter studies necessary for the multiple subject teaching credential (K-8). Undergraduates are encouraged to work with the Center for Careers in Teaching (657-278-7130) as early as possible in their academic careers to plan efficient course selections for general education, the major and electives. With careful planning, it may be possible to enter the credential program in the senior year of the bachelor’s degree. Postgraduate students should contact the Admission to Teacher Education office in the College of Education at 657-278-3352 to obtain information on attending an overview presentation.
STREAMLINED TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Designed for freshmen planning to be teachers, students in the Streamlined Teacher Education Program (STEP) combine their bachelor’s degree requirements with credential program courses to earn both the degree and the preliminary credential in an efficient, well-planned program. For a special education credential, one additional semester is required. Students in STEP complete the requirements for the bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development or Liberal Studies, and the requirements for a Professional (preliminary) Multiple Subject Credential (for teaching elementary school) and/or an Education Specialist Credential (for teaching special education).
Students in STEP benefit from early field experience in K-12 classrooms, regular contact with faculty members from their major departments and from the education departments, and regular advisement and support throughout the program. Students in STEP also have multiple opportunities to meet and work with other students in the program, facilitating their social connections with other students with similar career aspirations.
Transfer students may also participate in STEP. To be well-positioned to participate in the program, they must seek advisement from their community college counselors as early in their academic careers as possible. Students in this program must take a particular pattern of courses to satisfy General Education Program requirements. Transfer students should check the Center for Careers in Teaching website for more information.
For further information about STEP, please visit the Center for Careers in Teaching (CCT) website at www.fullerton.edu/cct or visit the CCT directly in H113.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LIBERAL STUDIES
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies requires a minimum of 120 units, which includes courses for the major, General Education, all university requirements and free electives. The 27 units of core courses are required of all majors. In addition, students must take the 24-unit option under the Elementary Education Plan or the Interdisciplinary Thematic Plan. Each course counted for the major must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher.
Core Courses (27 units)
Liberal Studies 300 Introduction to Liberal Studies (3)
Liberal Studies 301 Inquiry and Composition in Liberal Studies (3)*
History/Liberal Studies 302A Historical Dimension of
Liberal Studies (3)
History/Liberal Studies 302B Historical Dimension of Liberal Studies (3)
Liberal Studies 303 Liberal Studies in the Humanities and Arts (3)
Liberal Studies 304 Liberal Studies in the Sciences (3)
Liberal Studies 305 Liberal Studies in the Social Sciences (3)
Liberal Studies/Philosophy 401 Knowledge in the Arts and Sciences (3)
*Fulfills the course requirement of the university upper-division baccalaureate writing requirement for Liberal Studies majors.
One of the following Senior Seminars:
Liberal Studies 485 Senior Seminar in Cultural Diversity (3)
Liberal Studies 486 Senior Seminar in Humanities and Arts (3)
Liberal Studies 487 Senior Seminar in Evolution and Creation (3)
Liberal Studies 488 Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies (3)
Liberal Studies 489 Senior Seminar in Gender Issues (3)
Liberal Studies 490 Senior Seminar in Great Books (3)
Liberal Studies 491 Senior Seminar in Literature and Science (3)
Sequence of Core Courses
Because the core curriculum is designed as an integrated whole and builds upon the student’s general education, there is an order in which these courses need to be taken and there are certain prerequisites for them. Introduction to Liberal Studies (Liberal Studies 300) and the Historical Dimension of Liberal Studies come first. The only prerequisite for Introduction to Liberal Studies is the completion of General Education Category I. The Historical Dimension of Liberal Studies 302A requires completion of General Education Category II.A. The Historical Dimension of Liberal Studies 302A, with a grade of at least “C” (2.0), is a prerequisite for The Historical Dimension of Liberal Studies 302B.
The Historical Dimension of Liberal Studies 302B and Liberal Studies 301 Inquiry and Composition in Liberal Studies, are prerequisites for Liberal Studies 303, 304 and 305 because Liberal Studies in the Humanities and Arts, Liberal Studies in Science, and Liberal Studies in the Social Sciences pick up the historical developments where Liberal Studies 302B leaves off. Since the courses in these three areas also integrate what the student has learned from general education, completion of General Education Category III.B.1 and 2 is required for Liberal Studies 303; completion of General Education Category III.A.1 and 2 is required for Liberal Studies 304; and completion of III.C.1 is required for Liberal Studies 305.
Knowledge in the Arts and Sciences and the Senior Seminar come last. Liberal Studies 401 or Philosophy 401 requires the completion of Liberal Studies 304 and either Liberal Studies 303 or 305. The Senior Seminar requires senior standing, the completion of 90 units of college work. Some of the senior seminars have additional prerequisites. Students may take whichever senior seminar they prefer.
The Elementary Education Plan (24 units)
The Elementary Education Plan, which is designed for students seeking an elementary or multiple subject teaching credential, provides academic preparation in many of the subject areas taught in the elementary school.
English 303 The Structure of Modern English (3)**
OR English/Linguistics 206 Language Structure and
Language Use (3)
One of the following:**
English 110 Literature of the Western World from Ancient through
Medieval Times (3)
English 111 Literature of the Western World from the Renaissance
through the 19th Century (3)
English 211 British Literature to 1760 (3)
English 212 British Literature from 1760 (3)
English 221 American Literature to Whitman (3)
English 222 American Literature from Twain to the Moderns (3)
Comparative Literature 324 World Literature to 1650 (3)*
Comparative Literature 325 World Literature from 1650 (3)*
English 341 Children’s Literature (3)*
OR Theatre 311 Oral Interpretation of Children’s Literature (3)*
Mathematics 303A,B Fundamental Concepts of Elementary
Mathematics (3,3)**
Geology 410 Physical Science Concepts (3)
OR Biology 453 Life Science Concepts (3)
One of the following courses in Cultural Diversity in the Social Sciences*: Afro-Ethnic 304, 310, 311; American Studies 301, 320, 395; Anthropology 350, Asian American Studies 300, 340, 342; Chicano 305, 331; Geography 332; Human Comm 320; Sociology 357; Women’s Studies 302.
One of the following courses in Visual and Performing Arts: Art 380, Dance 471, Music 433, Theatre 402A.
*These courses will also count toward meeting the upper-division requirement for general education.
**In exceptional cases substitutes may be made with the approval of the department chair.
The Interdisciplinary Thematic Plan (24 units)
The Interdisciplinary Thematic Plan (ITP) is designed for students who have broad interests that expand beyond the confines of a single department. For these students, the ability to construct their own area of interdisciplinary study by taking advanced coursework in several disciplines may be more beneficial than restricting their study to one of the various majors offered by the university. The Interdisciplinary Thematic Plan does not duplicate any existing major, and does not consist of a random collection of courses. It is a well-thought-out, highly individualized group of courses that, even though they come from various departments, have a common subject, focus or interest.
ITP students may center their coursework on an academic interest or may select courses that prepare them for later professional training or for specific careers.
The Personalized Coordinated Program (21 units)
ITP students are allowed to select, in consultation with a liberal studies adviser, 21 units of upper-division coursework from various departments for the purpose of pursuing an interdisciplinary problem, theme or issue.
To ensure breadth of knowledge, ITP students are allowed to take: (a) no more than nine units from a single department; and (b) no more than 15 units from a single area of knowledge (humanities and arts, science, social sciences). ITP students should have their study plan approved by a liberal studies adviser prior to taking coursework.
The Senior Project (3 units)
To integrate and synthesize knowledge acquired through their Personalized Coordinated Program, ITP students must complete a senior project (such as a thesis or a creative work relevant to the theme of their Personalized Coordinated Program) by enrolling in three units of Independent Study (499) with a professor of their choice. During the semester prior to their enrollment in Independent Study (499), ITP students must attain the consent of a CSUF faculty member to supervise their Senior Project and must also get written approval of their Senior Project Proposal from a Liberal Studies adviser. Developed in close collaboration with the project supervisor, the proposal shall include a clear statement of the topic, a well-defined approach to the project, a preliminary list of sources and a specific schedule for the completion of the project, including realistic due dates for drafts or other indications of progress. Written approval of the proposal by both the project supervisor and a Liberal Studies adviser must be achieved before the student will be permitted to enroll in Independent Study (499).
As part of the project approval process, all ITP students are required to attend at least one short Senior Project Workshop during the semester prior to their enrollment in Independent Study (499). Senior Project Workshops will feature presentations by ITP students currently completing their projects as well as a faculty-taught module on techniques and procedures for the successful completion of a research paper or similar project. The workshops provide opportunities for ITP students to learn and gain support from their peers and faculty. No Senior Project Proposal will be approved without proof of the student’s attendance at a Senior Project Workshop. In order to graduate, all ITP students are required to present a brief summary of their Senior Project at one of the Senior Project Workshops scheduled during their final semester.
MINOR IN LIBERAL STUDIES
Students who wish to minor in Liberal Studies must complete the following 15 units:
History/Liberal Studies 302A* The Historical Dimension of
Liberal Studies (3)
History/Liberal Studies 302B The Historical Dimension of
Liberal Studies (3)
Liberal Studies 303 Liberal Studies in the Humanities and Arts (3)
Liberal Studies 304 Liberal Studies in the Sciences (3)
Liberal Studies 305 Liberal Studies in the Social Sciences (3)
A grade of “C” (2.0) or better is required in each course.
*Prior completion or concurrent registration in Liberal Studies 300, although a requirement for Liberal Studies majors, is not a requirement for Liberal Studies minors.
Students who minor in Liberal Studies are expected to attain a general understanding of significant concepts, themes and figures in the three general subject areas covered by the major: the arts and humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences. Students learn to analyze, evaluate, and apply significant concepts, themes and arguments from the three general subject areas of Liberal Studies. Students should be able to recognize interdisciplinary connections among the three subject areas and synthesize parallel interdisciplinary connections among the three subject areas and synthesize parallel developments within them. They also learn to communicate effectively, in particular by being able to: (1) write clearly and correctly, and (2) analyze and present ideas and subject material coherently.
LIBERAL STUDIES COURSES
Courses are designated as LBST in the class schedule.
