Liberal Studies

Undergraduate Studies
Dean: Daniel Buttlaire

Liberal Studies Program
BH 255
415-338-6927
Web Site: www.sfsu.edu/~ls
Program Coordinator: Eva Chuck

Advisers

Advising takes place at the Liberal Studies Office. Advising schedules are available at the Liberal Studies Office and on the web.

Programs

B.A. in Liberal Studies
B.A. in Liberal Studies: Concentration in NEXA

Program Scope

The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies requires 120 units for graduation. The 46-unit liberal studies major has a multidisciplinary curriculum encompassing all areas of knowledge in the arts and sciences. Many employers and professional schools prefer graduates with the type of richly diversified education that this major provides. The liberal studies program is also recommended as preparation for students who aspire to become elementary school teachers.

Before meeting with an individual adviser, liberal studies majors must attend a liberal studies workshop on Advising Day or a "virtual" workshop on the web. At the workshop, students are introduced to the requirements and receive information and materials about the program and advising.

Career Outlook

The liberal studies major is applicable to a variety of fields. Since the major has considerable flexibility, it can be designed to meet a student's personal and academic interests. The major along with additional subject matter preparation courses (listed after the major courses) provides the broad academic background necessary for teaching in an elementary classroom and for passing the CSET Multiple Subjects (California Subject Examinations for Teachers). The major can be planned with a particular career in mind, such as government or public service, management, or work in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, communications, or in multicultural communities. It is appropriate preparation for various professional and graduate programs such as business, counseling, law, librarianship, medicine, and for interdisciplinary graduate programs.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LIBERAL STUDIES

Each student must consult with an adviser to discuss the liberal studies major, selection of courses, and preparation of the planning worksheet.

Each student's planning worksheet must be approved by an adviser and the coordinator before the student has completed 100 units. The approved worksheet must be on file in the Liberal Studies Office before the graduation application will be signed.

First-time freshman liberal studies majors desiring to become elementary school teachers may begin a combined Liberal Studies B.A. and credential program. Call 415-338-6927 for more information about program requirements and eligibility.

NEXA offers a concentration within the liberal studies major which allows students to pursue the NEXA theme, a convergence of conceptually different disciplines upon a core of common concern that cuts across all disciplines, in depth and with a specific focus.

Additional informational materials on the major and the additional subject matter preparation program are distributed at the liberal studies workshop or on the web.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

Liberal Studies Emphasis Patterns

Students select one of the following emphasis patterns. A minimum of twelve semester units must be taken, with at least six units at the upper division level.

AREA I: COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE, AND LITERATURE

• English Language: Literature, Language, and Communication
• Literature and Oral Performance
• Languages and Literatures Other Than English

Chinese
Classical Languages
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Russian
Spanish

AREA II: LIFE SCIENCE, PHYSICAL SCIENCE, AND MATHEMATICS

• Earth and Space Science
• Environmental Science
• Life Science
• Mathematics

K-8 Mathematics
Calculus-based Mathematics

• Physics and Astronomy

AREA III: BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Ethnic Studies
• Family Studies
• Geography
• Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation
• History
• International Relations
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Urban Studies

AREA IV: CREATIVE ARTS AND HUMANITIES

• Creative Arts
• Humanities
• American Cultural Studies
• Asian Cultural Studies
• Cities Studies
• Cross-cultural Studies
• European Cultural Studies
• Philosophy
• Philosophy and Religion

INTEGRATED STUDIES

• Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations
• California Studies
• Gender, Culture, and Representation
• Jewish Studies
• Multidisciplinary Ethnic Studies

NEXA

Units on Advisement

Students must select a minimum of nine additional units. These units may be either lower or upper division and must be approved by the adviser. There are two ways to choose these courses: (1) select three units in each area of knowledge outside the Emphasis for a total of nine units minimum; or (2) complete at least nine units in a single foreign language (including ASL).

COURSES INCLUDED IN THE LIBERAL STUDIES MAJOR

All courses included in the liberal studies major must be selected in consultation with a liberal studies adviser.

With adviser and coordinator approval, courses transferred from other institutions may be used to fulfill the Core requirements of the major if they are upper division and equivalent in content to those courses listed below. Lower and/or upper division courses transferred from other institutions may be used in the Emphasis Pattern so long as at least six units are upper division and the content of the courses is equivalent. Lower and/or upper division courses transferred from other institutions may be used in the Units on Advisement category. All residence requirements stipulated in the Bulletin must be met.

Courses used to meet General Education Basic Subjects (Segment I) requirements in Written Communication, Oral Communication, and Critical Thinking may not be used to meet any part of the liberal studies major. A maximum of twelve units used to meet General Education requirements in Segment II and/or Segment III may be included as courses in the Core, Emphasis Pattern, or Units on Advisement categories.

Grading. A maximum of two courses in the major may be taken for a CR grade.

A course may be used for only one purpose within the major. For example, if a course is used in the Core, it may not be used in the Emphasis Pattern or in the Elective Units on Advisement.

On-line course descriptions are available, including any prerequisites or corequisites.

REQUIRED CORE COURSES

Before beginning the Core courses, students should have completed Segment I of General Education, including ENG 214 or equivalent (e.g., AIS 214, BL S 214, or ENG 1B at a community college).

AREA I—COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE, AND LITERATURE

AREA II—LIFE SCIENCE, PHYSICAL SCIENCE, AND MATHEMATICS

NOTE: Courses marked with an asterisk (*) indicate the best choice for future elementary school teachers.

AREA III—BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

AREA IV—CREATIVE ARTS AND HUMANITIES

EMPHASIS PATTERN BEYOND THE CORE

Students select one of the following emphasis patterns. A minimum of twelve semester units beyond the Core must be taken according to the specific instructions of the pattern with at least six units at the upper division level.

Area I—Communication, Language, and Literature Emphasis Patterns

ENGLISH LANGUAGE: LITERATURE, LANGUAGE, AND COMMUNICATION PATTERN

Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent.

Complete one course in each category, for a total of four courses. Note that a course used to fulfill the prerequisite or core requirement may not be used to fulfill an emphasis requirement.

LITERATURE AND ORAL PERFORMANCE PATTERN

Prerequisite: ENG 214.

Choose two courses from Category A and two courses from Category B. Note that a course used to fulfill a prerequisite or core requirement may not be used to fulfill an emphasis requirement.

LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES OTHER THAN ENGLISH PATTERNS

Students must select four courses in one of the language groups from the lists below. At least six of the units chosen must be upper division. Note: First-year language courses do not count toward the emphasis.

AREA II—LIFE SCIENCE, PHYSICAL SCIENCE, AND MATHEMATICS EMPHASIS PATTERNS

Choose one of the following patterns and take a minimum of twelve units as described below. No course may count toward both the Area II Emphasis and the Physical Science or Life Science core.

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE PATTERN

Select one course from each category, including at least one course with a laboratory experience. At least six units must be upper division.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PATTERN

Select at least one course from Category A and at least one from Category B, including at least one course with a laboratory experience. At least six units must be upper division.

LIFE SCIENCE PATTERN

Select at least one course from Category A and one from Category B, including at least one course with a laboratory experience. (BIOL 310 cannot count for both.) Remaining courses can be selected from any category. At least six units must be upper division.

MATHEMATICS: K–8 MATHEMATICS PATTERN

Choose four courses; at least six units must be upper division.

MATHEMATICS: CALCULUS-BASED PATTERN

Choose four courses; at least six units must be upper division.

PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY PATTERN

Select a minimum of twelve units, including at least one course with a laboratory experience.

Area III—Behavioral and Social Sciences Emphasis Patterns

Select a minimum of twelve units from one of the following patterns.

ANTHROPOLOGY PATTERN

Select at least one course in each category.

ECONOMICS PATTERN

ETHNIC STUDIES PATTERN

Students must select one course from Category A, Historical, and one course from Category B, Psycho-cultural. Two additional courses must be selected, one each from any of the other categories. NOTE: At least six of the units chosen must be upper division.

FAMILY STUDIES PATTERN

GEOGRAPHY PATTERN

Select at least one course from each of the following categories.

HEALTH, KINESIOLOGY, AND RECREATION PATTERN

HISTORY PATTERN

Select one course from each of the three categories and a fourth course from any category for a minimum of twelve units. NOTE: At least six of the units must be upper division.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS PATTERN

POLITICAL SCIENCE PATTERN

Select one course from each of the following categories.

PSYCHOLOGY PATTERN

The prerequisite for this pattern is an introductory course in psychology; i.e., PSY 200.

SOCIOLOGY PATTERN

URBAN STUDIES PATTERN

Area IV: Creative Arts and Humanities Emphasis Patterns

Students must take a minimum of twelve units in one of the following patterns.

CREATIVE ARTS PATTERN

The student is required to complete at least twelve credits of creative arts course work, and at least six of these must be at the upper division level. The emphasis is to include at least three units of visual and performing arts course work in each of the three categories (A, History; B, Theory/Criticism; and C, Performance/Production). The remaining three units may be taken from any of the three categories.

HUMANITIES EMPHASIS PATTERNS

Students must select a minimum of twelve units in one of the following patterns. NOTE: There is no required sequence, but it is recommended students begin with a lower division course.

American Cultural Studies Pattern

Asian Cultural Studies Pattern

Cities Studies Pattern

Cross-cultural Studies Pattern

European Cultural Studies Pattern

PHILOSOPHY PATTERN

Select one course from each category.

PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION PATTERN

Complete the required courses for Categories A, B, and C, and select one course from Category D for a total of four courses.

INTEGRATED STUDIES EMPHASIS PATTERNS

Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations Pattern

Select a minimum of twelve units, including at least one course from each category, and take courses that together reflect at least three different civilizations. Note: Some of the courses may combine two or more traditions.

California Studies Pattern

Select one course from each category.

Gender, Culture, and Representation Pattern

Select one course each from Category A, B, and C, and one additional course from Categories B or C.

Jewish Studies Pattern

Select one course from each category.

Multidisciplinary Ethnic Studies Pattern

Select one course from four of the five categories for a total of twelve units. Note: At least six of the units chosen must be upper division.

NEXA Pattern

ADDITIONAL SUBJECT MATTER PREPARATION PROGRAM RECOMMENDED FOR STUDENTS PURSUING THE MULTIPLE SUBJECT CREDENTIAL

Students seeking the Multiple Subject Credential must pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects (formerly, MSAT) examination. To prepare for the CSET, students are advised to complete the subject matter preparation program, which includes the liberal studies major plus the recommended subject matter courses listed below. By completing this program, students will have studies all of the multiple subject matter areas covered by the CSET examination. The additional subject matter program no longer waives the CSET examination, but serves as a preparation program for the CSET and for elementary school teaching. While it is recommended that students complete the entire program, they may choose only those classes they feel they need to prepare for teaching and the CSET.It is also recommended that students take LS 100, which introduces them to the program and helps in learning how best to use the courses listed below to prepare for the CSET examination.

Students interested in becoming elementary or special education teachers should also attend an information meeting given by the Credential Programs Admission Office. At the meeting, students learn all of credential program admission requirements. Consult www.sfsu.edu/~credinfo/ or call 415-338-7038 for more information. General information about teaching careers may be found at the Teacher Preparation Center in BH 244.

Note that many of the courses listed below fulfill GE and other graduation requirements. Students are strongly urged to consult with an adviser on their choices.

Field Experience (choose one)

Composition

Language and Linguistics (choose one)

Mathematics

Science

World History/Culture

U.S. History (choose one)

U.S. Government (choose one)

California History (choose one)

Geography (choose one)

Human Development (choose one)

Diverse Perspectives

Select one course from the list of approved General Education Segment II courses designated as meeting the American Ethnic and Racial Minorities (AERM) requirement.

Physical Education

Visual and Performing Arts (choose two)

Health (choose one)

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LIBERAL STUDIES: CONCENTRATION IN NEXA

This concentration requires 46 units of course work, culminating in a senior project. NEXA courses in the student's program must include one Concepts course, two Sequences courses, and one Issues course.

The student will develop a specific focus related to the NEXA theme. In order to achieve sufficient depth and competence in the focus of interest, the student will prepare a 3-4 semester study plan. The study plan should define courses relevant to the specific topic, and show how a core group of courses can be integrated around and build toward the proposed theme. The student will work with a NEXA faculty member in the preparation of the study plan. Upon approval of the study plan by the NEXA steering committee, the student will be admitted to the major.

In order to complete the NEXA major, the student will consult with two faculty members: one to help with the study plan and one to help with the senior thesis. On occasion, one faculty person may serve both these functions. The student should consult with the NEXA advising coordinator in order to choose the most appropriate faculty member(s).

The culminating experience of the NEXA concentration, and in many ways the most important part of the major, is the senior thesis. The senior thesis is an in-depth, original exploration of the specific theme (or aspect of the theme) chosen earlier by the student. At the end of the junior year, and with the help of the NEXA advising coordinator, the student will choose a specific faculty member to serve as the thesis adviser. Two other faculty members are chosen to constitute the thesis committee. A thesis proposal which clearly delineates the proposed course of study leading to the thesis is submitted and approved by the NEXA steering committee. The committee of three advisers is responsible for assisting the student in the preparation of the thesis. Final approval is made by the NEXA steering committee.

Junior Year, First Semester. Student works with an appropriate NEXA faculty member to produce a study plan.

Junior Year, Second Semester. With the aid of the NEXA advising coordinator, the student will choose a faculty member to serve as thesis adviser. The NEXA steering committee must approve the choice of thesis adviser.

Senior Year, First Semester. Completion of thesis proposal. Approval of thesis proposal by NEXA steering committee.

Senior Year, Second Semester. Enrolled in NEXA 698. Thesis completed and approved by the thesis committee. Course work completed.