Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

The BA in Liberal Studies major is designed to prepare students for Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential Programs in California. It has three concentrations: Precredential-General (12 units); Precredential-Spanish Studies (12 units); and Credential-Integrated (30 units). Students who are not planning for a teaching career but are interested in a liberal arts education, please consult the BA in Liberal Arts degree.

Unless otherwise specified, grades in lower division courses (2999 and below) must be a "C-" or better; grades in upper division courses (3000 and above) must be a "C" or better.

All graduating Liberal Studies students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 ("C"). Students who plan to seek their Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at CSUSB must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.67. Other institutions offering Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials may have different GPA requirements, usually between 2.5 to 3.0.

BA in Liberal Studies (120-135 units) consists of GE (49 units), American Institutions Requirement (3 units), and the major, which is divided into the core (66) and concentrations (12-30).

13 units in the core will also count for GE and American Institutions requirements.

Students should pay special attention to the following classes that satisfy the requirements of both GE and the core of the major. Be sure to take them in their respective GE categories.

GE-B1 and GE-B3: GEOL 1090

GE-B2: BIOL 1000 or BIOL 1010

GE-D1 and American Institutions: HIST 1460, HIST 2000 & HIST 2010, or PSCI 2030

Advising for the Liberal Studies major is offered by the Liberal Studies Office https://www.csusb.edu/liberal-studies

The core of the program has four areas: Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Social Sciences and Child Development, and Program Requirements.

These areas are designed to provide students with coursework that is both foundational and focused. The first three areas – Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Social Sciences and Child Development – enable students to build a broad repertoire of knowledge in the arts, humanities, natural and social sciences, technology, and civics and government. These areas of knowledge ensure a well-rounded education for students; they also provide the content of what they will teach in California’s K-8 schools. The program requirements include courses on learning assessment and metaknowledge of their studies and chosen careers.

Area 1: Arts and Humanities

Analysis of Literature: Choose one from the following courses3
Analysis of Poetry and Drama
Analysis of Fiction and Nonfiction Prose
Chicana/o Literature
Caribbean Literature
Philosophy in World Literature
Dramatic Analysis and Playwriting for Teachers
Linguistics3
Introduction to Linguistics
Children's/Young Adult literature: choose one from the following courses3
Literature for Children and Young Adults
Philosophy in Children's Literature
Philosophy in Young Adult Literature
Theatre for Youth: History and Literature
Visual or Media Art: choose one from the following courses3
Art in the Classroom
Art and Activism
Critical and Pedagogical Theories in Contemporary Art and Design Education
Arts in Action: Visual Art
Art and Human Development
Digital Media and Society
Movies in the Digital Age
Film Analysis
Global Cinema
Visual Communication
Performing Arts: choose one from the following courses3
Creating Digital Media Using Personal Electronic Technology
Music for Elementary Classroom Teachers
Music in the Elementary Schools
Arts in Action: Music
Acting for All Majors
Theatre in the Classroom
Drama in Education
Touring Practicum
Puppetry
Creative Movement in the Classroom
Arts in Action: Theatre
Total Units15

Area 2: Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Choose one of the following (Satisfies GE B2)3
Introduction to Biology
Biology for Teachers
HSCI 1000Concepts in Health1
KINE 3520Movement for Children2
MATH 3010Mathematical Concepts and Problem Solving for Educators I4
MATH 3012Mathematical Concepts and Problem Solving for Educators II3
MATH 3013 Mathematical Concepts and Problem Solving for Educators III 3
GEOL 1090Earth: The Blue Planet4
Choose one of the following3-6
Survey of Chemistry and Physics
Physics and Astronomy in the Classroom
and Structures and Properties of Matter Laboratory
Physics in the Modern World
and Structures and Properties of Matter Laboratory
Introduction to Chemistry
and Physics in the Modern World
Total Units23-26

Area 3: Social Sciences and Child Development

Select one course (Satisfies GE D1)3
History of the United States: Pre-Colonization to Present
United States History to 1877
United States History, 1877 to the Present
PSCI 2030Government of the United States3
HIST 2700California History3
ECON 3199Economics in the Elementary and Middle School3
GEOG 3605Geography in the Elementary and Middle School Classroom3
Child Development. Choose one of these options:3-6
Growth and Development in Socio-Educational Contexts
Child Language and Literacy Development
and Observation and Methods: School Age Development
Introduction to Child Development
and Observation and Methods: School Age Development
Total Units18-21

Area 4: Program requirements

CAL 2970Liberal Studies: Foundation Seminar and Assessment Preparation3
CAL 3970Gateway to Liberal Studies3
CAL 5900Liberal Studies and Liberal Arts Senior Assessment and Writing Workshop2
EDMS 2301Introduction to Education2
Total Units10

Concentrations (12-33 units)

Note: Courses completed for this program or for the General Education program cannot be applied to any concentration.

Pre-Credential General Concentration

(Program Code: LBSG)

Twelve units of electives from the Colleges of Arts and Letters, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavior Sciences, three of which must be upper-division (numbered 3000 and above).

This concentration is for students who wish to design their own course of study. They can seek the breadth of knowledge by taking classes from all three academic colleges mentioned above. They can also focus on particular areas by selecting classes in one area of study. In the latter case, they are encouraged to consult with the Liberal Studies Office and/or relevant departments.

Students who wish to pursue a credential in Special Education should take ESPE 3350, ESPE 5514, ESPE 5530, or ESPE 5531 as one of their electives.

Pre-Credential Spanish Studies Concentration

(Program Code: LBSS)

The Precredential-Spanish Studies Concentration is designed for those students interested in the Bilingual Added Authorization in the Multiple Subject Credential program, which gives them the eligibility to teach in a bilingual/Spanish classroom setting.

SPAN 3305Applied Spanish Grammar 3
Select one of the following combinations:4
Advanced Spanish Language and Composition
and Advanced Spanish Language and Composition Writing Lab
Spanish for the Professions
and Spanish for the Professions Activity
Choose one of the following courses:3
Case Studies in Linguistic Anthropology
Cultures of Mexico and Central America
Anthropology of South America
Xicanx Art
Latinx Border Identity: A Transmedia Perspective
International Experience: Latin American Studies
International Experience: European Studies
Latinx, Media, and Cultures
Latinx History through Film, 1920-Present
US-Mexico Border Region
California Indian History
History of Modern Mexico
Chicana/o History
Modern Central America
Foreign Relations of Latin America
Latin American History Through Film
Colonial Latin America
Modern Latin America
Chicana/Mexicana Feminisms
History of the U.S. - Mexico Borderlands
Managing Across Borders
Latin American Music
The Latino Family
The Latino Experience in the U.S.
Sociology of Migration
Citizenship, Status, and Inequality
Any 3000+ SPAN course not taken elsewhere to fulfill degree requirements.
Two units of free electives2
Total Units12

Credential-Integrated Concentration

(Program Code: LBSI)

This concentration includes all the courses in the CSUSB Multiple Subject Credential program. It offers students a cost-cutting and time-saving option by allowing them to complete the BA degree and the credential coursework simultaneously. Reminder: Formal admission into the Multiple Subject Credential Program at CSUSB is required before commencing Credential-Integrated Concentration courses.

EDMS 4100Psychological Foundations of Education 3
EDMS 4101ALanguage Arts Teaching and Learning3
or EDMS 4101B Language Arts Teaching and Learning in Bilingual Settings
EDMS 4102Pedagogical Foundations for Teaching English Learners3
EDMS 4103Creating Supportive and Engaging Learning Environments 2
EDMS 4107ASupervised Student Teaching in Multiple Subject6
EDMS 4110Assessment Seminar: CalTPA Cycle3
EDMS 5104Mathematics Teaching and Learning 3
EDMS 5105Science Teaching and Learning3
EDMS 5106ASocial Studies and the Arts Teaching and Learning 3
or EDMS 5106B Social Studies and the Arts Teaching and Learning in Bilingual Settings
EMAT 5100Technology and Instructional Practices for Educators1
EMAT 5101Education, Diversity and Social Justice 3
Total Units33