Program Curriculum
The Liberal Studies Core Curriculum
All* Liberal Studies students take 10 core courses for the core curriculum below. Overall, these courses provide LS majors with learning spaces to apply and connect disciplinary ideas and concepts (e.g., psychology, earth science, theater) to think about real-world topics, issues and problems linked to sustainability, social responsibility/social justice, creativity, and well-being.
The first three courses below introduce students to developing academic skills and knowledge to be successful LS students who will learn about and learn across academic subjects or disciplines to combine them to generate new ideas and solutions to problems or issues.
LS 1020 - Integrating Knowledge, Learning, and Engagement for Success
LS 2011 -Introduction to Liberal Studies: History, Purposes, and Critique of the Liberal Arts and Sciences
LS 3011 - Knowledge and Knowing in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
In the middle courses, students will focus on specific knowledge areas to understand what they are and how they are created through different research and creative methods. Through a project-based approach, they help students to assume the artist, scientist, and educator perspectives to develop knowledge and practice skills in subject areas. LS courses (those with an “S”) also get students involved in the community through service-learning where students apply their academic knowledge to experiences working in schools, community organizations, or on campus.
LS 3021 - Interdisciplinary Humanities
LS 3031 -The Social Sciences and the Liberal Arts
**LS 3041- Science, Society, & You or
**LS 3042S - Equity Issues in K-9 Environmental and Science Education Service Learning
LS 4011- Liberal Studies Special Topics in Humanities, Social Science or Natural Sciences
Finally, in the remaining upper-division courses, students will study specific topics of interest in more depth and create projects to demonstrate original perspectives and ideas. The final course (LS 4611) is an intellectual and social space for students to create an independent interdisciplinary research project, guided by the professor, that we hope they will use as a learning artifact for future educational or career opportunities.
LS 4211 - Arts in Action (3)
LS 4601S - Liberal Studies Synthesis Interdisciplinary Perspective on Contemporary Public Education (3)
LS 4611 - Liberal Studies Senior Capstone (3)
*LS ITEP students take only five of these core courses so that teaching credential program courses can be included in the degree.
**The choice between these two courses is based on option or subplan.
Major Course Options in Each Subplan
Non-teaching: General Studies Option or Subplan
This degree is the most flexible at the university and can be used to pursue various academic and career paths. With several electives and unrestricted units, General Studies students can tailor it to their career, personal, and educational interests. For this reason, we highly encourage General Studies students to work with academic and career counselors to select appropriate courses for their goals.
Learn more about the specific courses in this option by viewing the curriculum sheet (click to view) or the list of courses for the complete degree.
In addition to the core courses, these degrees provide the California subject matter content for elementary (multiple subjects) or special education teaching. To enter an elementary education or special education teaching credential program, students have to demonstrate that they know all the content taught in K-8 classrooms. These degree subplans provide it and LS students in these subplans will not have to take the CSET to apply to a credential program.
Pre-credential Option or Subplan
LS students will take courses in the arts, humanities, social science, and natural sciences to gain multiple subject matter content for the teaching credential program. Some of the courses also provide experiences working with young people to earn early field work hours (45 ) experience with children, another requirement to enter a credential program.
Learn more about the specific courses in this option by viewing the curriculum sheet (click to view) or the list of courses for the complete degree.
ITEP in Special Education, Mild/Moderate Support Needs
In four years, the ITEP program is an intensive degree that combines a bachelor’s in Liberal Studies and a special education teaching credential for students with mild and moderate disabilities. LS students in this option will take courses in the arts, humanities, social science, and natural sciences to gain multiple subject matter content for the teaching credential program and earn early field work hours (45) experience with children. They will apply to CPP’s teaching credential in their third year and start the special education teaching credential in the fourth year if accepted.
Learn more about the specific courses and unit load in this option by viewing the curriculum sheet (click to view) or the list of courses for the complete degree.
ITEP in Special Education, Extensive Support Needs
In four years, the ITEP program is an intensive degree that combines a bachelor’s in Liberal Studies and a special education teaching credential for students with severe disabilities. LS students in this option will take courses in the arts, humanities, social science, and natural sciences to gain multiple subject matter content for the teaching credential program and earn early field work hours (45) experience with children. They will apply to CPP’s teaching credential in their third year and start the special education teaching credential in the fourth year if accepted. Learn more about the specific courses and unit load in this option by viewing the curriculum sheet (click to view) or the list of courses for the complete degree.