California Studies
College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Dean: Paul Sherwin
California Studies Program
SCI 222
Phone: 415-338-1625
Director: Phillip Dreyfus
Program
Program Scope
California Studies is a multi-disciplinary program whose purpose is to study the consensus and conflict, unity and diversity, and continuity and change that characterize the many cultures, social structures, and artistic and creative expressions, as well as the earth and geosciences, of past and present California.
Students pursuing this minor may draw upon the strengths of many departments offering courses on the various dimensions of California; in particular, Africana Studies, American Indian Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian American Studies, Biology, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, History, Hospitality Management, Humanities, Meteorology, Political Science, Latina/Latino Studies, and Recreation, Parks, and Tourism. Certain core courses are required to obtain the minor, with additional elective courses to be chosen by the student.
Each student should emerge from the minor with a grasp of California history and political processes, a knowledge and appreciation of the rich diversity of California cultures, creative arts, and literatures, an informed view of California's environmental richness and ecological relationships, and a continuing interest in the dynamic California landscape.
Affiliated Programs at SF State
Liberal Studies
The Liberal Studies major offers a pattern of courses that emphasize California studies. For details, see the Liberal Studies section of this Bulletin.
American Studies
The American Studies major offers the possibility of pursuing a California-focused elective program. For details, see the Bachelor of Arts in American Studies section of this Bulletin.
General Education Cluster in California Studies
There is a General Education cluster in Segment III called "California Cultures and Environments." Students select one course from each of three components: California Artistic and Cultural Landscapes, California Social Landscapes, and California Environmental Landscapes.
Students who select this cluster may take an additional four courses to acquire the California Studies Minor. The minor appears on the SF State diploma along with the major degree, while the GE cluster is not listed on the diploma.
Career Outlook
The Minor in California Studies prepares students for regional and local application of their major fields of study to the immediate world in which they live, the state of California. A foundation in California studies is beneficial to those pursuing teaching credentials and careers in business, public policy, public administration, state government, and public history. The minor is also excellent preparation for those pursuing advanced degrees in the social sciences, humanities, earth sciences, or arts.
Minor in California Studies
Core Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 450 | History of California | 3 |
California Artistic and Cultural Landscapes (3 units)
Units chosen from the following:
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| HUM 376 | Biography of a City: San Francisco |
| HUM 375 | Biography of a City: Los Angeles [topic course] |
| HUM 450/ AMST 410 |
California Culture |
| HTM 421 | California Food, Wine, and Culture |
California Social and Ethnic Landscapes (3 units)
Units chosen from the following:
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| AFRS 312 | Kalifia: The Black Heritage of California |
| AIS 410 | Perspectives of California Indians |
| ANTH 352 | People and Cultures of California |
| ANTH 356 | Archaeology of California |
| AA S 510 | Asian Americans in California |
| PLSI 473 | California Politics |
| PLSI 475 | San Francisco Political Issues |
| LTNS 315 | Latina/os in California |
| LTNS 660 | Latina/o Politics |
California Environmental Landscapes (3 units)
Units chosen from the following:
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| BIOL 300 | Nature Study |
| GEOG 552 | Geography of California |
| GEOG 651 | San Francisco Bay Area Environmental Issues |
| GEOL 350 | Geology of the National Parks |
| GEOL 356 | Geology of California |
| METR 356 | California Weather Events |
Electives: 9 units - selected from at least two of the above categories.
Total for minor: 21
