Liberal Studies Department
Our Liberal Studies and IGE students are prepared to contribute to a dynamic local-global community.
We promote these knowledges and abilities to prepare learners for life and work
- Problem-solving through exploring urgent and emerging questions of our times
- Critical thinking and creative practice
- Social justice, ethical, and sustainable practices
- Local-global learning about different human experiences and societies to foster positive social relationships
- Inquiry-based dialogue to generate informed and focused solutions with others (collaboration)
- The well-being of individuals, communities, and environments
About Our Department
Across the arts and sciences, students in our programs can prepare for a variety of career options.
The Liberal Studies Department consists of two programs and multiple pathways. Liberal Studies (LS) offers undergraduate degrees in elementary and special education pre-teaching preparation, a general studies degree for multiple career options, and minors in science education and sustainability education. Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE) offers GE pathways for students in any major and a Global Humanities Minor.
Read more about each program by clicking the links in the left menu.
Students who major, complete a minor, or take courses in our programs study theory (ideas, concepts, research) and practice (how to use) across the arts and sciences. This approach builds critical thinking, communication, and a broad knowledge base (interdisciplinary) that transfer to the workplace and community life.
See the graduate testimonials below.
Arts & Sciences
Students learn across the arts and sciences and receive a foundation education for all professions. The result is the ability to think, write, and communicate independently, collaboratively, and analytically to understand and solve problems or issues -- transferrable skills for all careers and futures.
Theory & Practice
Students learn and apply theories in the humanities (like art) and theories in the sciences (like sociology and biology) to build awareness, reasoning, and decision-making skills through practice exercises, projects, original research, and service learning. The department has PolyX pathways that link these practice opportunities.Depth & Breadth
Through courses, activities, and hands-on assignments, students understand different academic areas (disciplines) such as arts, education, history, religion, literature, science, and sociology to develop deep perspectives of communities and environments.
Testimony
After graduation, I started working as an Inventory Control Specialist in Costco's LA Regional Office, overseeing 58 LA locations for the Major Sales (electronics) department. Just recently (2019), I took over as Manager of Costco's Merchandise Training Dept., and now oversee a team of 11 trainers. On that team, I helped developed coursework and trained hundreds of merchandise employees in 8 Regional Offices across the US, including Assistant Buyers, Buyers, and General Merchandise Managers.
I can honestly say that my education in the Liberal Studies Dept and the Learn by Doing philosophy embraced by each member of the faculty had an incredible impact on my career. The critical thinking, relationship building, and teamwork atmosphere in my coursework instilled a great foundation for me to build on in my career.
-- Jonathan Galvan
Liberal Studies, General Studies Graduate, 2017
Costco Buyer