Liberal Studies (Elementary School Teacher Preparation) College of Education

Bachelor of Arts

Anthropology option

Art option

Blended option

Dance option

English Language and Linguistics option

English Literature option

Human Development option

Mathematics option

Physical Education option

Spanish option

Liberal Studies Committee

Grenada Brazzeller, Program Director

Michael Ernst (Physical Education), Sally Etcheto (Music), Kate Gale (English), Jim Hill (Physics), Maria Hurtado-Ortiz (Psychology), John McGowan (Teacher Education), Susan Needham (Anthropology), Stan Yoshinobu (Mathematics)

Nancy Maruyama, Program Advisor

Kay Verner, Student Services Advisor

Program Office: (310) 243-3832

Email address: pals@csudh.edu

Program Description

The Liberal Studies Program provides an interdisciplinary major designed for students who intend to become teachers in elementary school. It is an approved multiple subject matter program for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Liberal Studies major requires completion of all lower division General Education and lower division Liberal Studies courses with a 2.5 cumulative g.p.a. and completion of LBS 200 with a “CR” grade. All new majors are classified as “pre-Liberal Studies” until the requirements listed above are met. Required upper division courses for the Liberal Studies major are open for enrollment to “Liberal Studies” majors only. Exceptions may be made on an individual petition basis. (Petition forms must be obtained directly from the Liberal Studies PALS Center, COE 1206.)

Academic Advisement

All newly admitted students (or any current CSUDH student wishing to change majors) must attend an advising meeting. The mandatory meeting will include: transferability of courses; beginning student files; and, advising progress from Pre-Liberal Studies to Liberal Studies to earn a B.A. New Liberal Studies pre-majors are strongly advised to enroll in LBS 200 their first semester. Successful completion of this course satisfies one of the requirements needed to advance to Liberal Studies major status. Continuing Liberal Studies and Pre-Liberal Studies majors should see an advisor each year. Faculty and Peer advisors are available throughout the semester. Call (310) 243-3832 to confirm advisors' schedules. In addition to program and professional advisement, advisors will refer the student to other needed student services.

Career Possibilities

The Liberal Studies Program provides the appropriate degree for completing undergraduate requirements for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential needed to teach at the elementary school level (usually kindergarten through the 6th grade).

Graduation with Honors

All students applying for fall, spring and summer graduation will be mailed a letter containing information for applying for graduation with honors in Liberal Studies if the following criteria are met:

1. A minimum of 36 units in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills.

2. A minimum grade point average of 3.5 in all upper division courses (300 and 400 numbered courses) used to satisfy the requirements for the Liberal Studies major. (TED prefix or other elective courses will not be used to calculate GPA unless they are specifically used to satisfy degree requirements).

Overall Program Structure

The major consists of two parts:

A. Core. Students will take specific courses and electives in each of five areas: Language and Literature; Mathematics and Science; History and Social Sciences; Visual and Performing Arts; and Professional Development. These courses meet the state mandated multiple subject matter standards requirement.

B. The Option. Students are expected to study a subject in depth within the Liberal Studies major. To do this, students may select any approved option in the Options section. The option provides students with the pedagogical benefits obtained from pursuing a subject in depth.

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree

See the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

Elective Requirements

Completion of elective courses (beyond the requirements listed below) to reach a total of a minimum of 120 units.

General Education Requirements (54-60 units)

See the "General Education" requirements in the University Catalog or the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.

United States History, Constitution and American Ideals Requirement (6 units)

See the "United States History, Constitution, and American Ideals" requirements in the University Catalog. Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General Education .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

See the "Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement" in the University Catalog.

Minor Requirements

Single field major, no minor required.

Major Requirements (88-125 units)

Students must select one of the options listed. The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.

All courses in this major must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.

A. AREA I - Language and Literature (21-22 units)

ANT 312. Language and Culture (3) or

ENG 310. The Study of Language (3) or

SPA 435. A Sociolinguistic Approach to Mexican American Dialect (3)

ENG 111. Freshman Composition II (3)

ENG 305. Critical Reading of Literature (3)

ENG 308. Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature (3)

ENG 314. English Syntax—Traditional (3)

ENG 350. Advanced Composition (3) or

IDS 397. Writing Adjunct (2) and

IDS 398. Writing Adjunct (2)

ENG 487. Introduction to Second language Teaching and Learning (3)

B. AREA II - Mathematics and Science (17-19 units)

BIO 102. General Biology (3)

BIO 103. General Biology Laboratory (1)

MAT 107. Mathematics for Elementary Teachers: Real Numbers (3)

MAT 207. Mathematics for Elementary Teachers: Fundamentals of Geometry (3)

PHY 300. Physical Science for Teachers (4)

SMT 416. Earth Science for Teachers (3)

NOTES:

1. Majors accepted into the Blended option take LBS 380 (4 units) instead of an SMT 416 (3 units) and take LBS 360 (4 units) instead of MAT 107 (3 units).

2. Freshmen students may use PHY 300 as a substitute for either PHY 100 or EAR 100 in Area B, General Education Program requirement.

C. AREA III - History and Social Science (15-17 units)

HIS 120. World Civilizations I (3) or

ANT 102. Ancient Civilizations (3)

GEO 350. World Regional Geography (3)

HIS 301. Individual, Family and Community in Historical Perspective (3)

HIS 341. California History (3) or

GEO 359. California Geography (3) or

POL 312. State and Local Government (3)

SBS 318. Cultural Pluralism (3)

NOTE: Majors accepted into the Blended option take LBS 370 (5 units) instead of SBS 318 (3 units).

D. AREA IV - Visual and Performing Arts (15 units)

ART 100. Looking at Art (3) or

ART 101. Experiencing Creative Art (3) or

ART 110. Introduction to World Art I (3) or

ART 111. Introduction to World Art II (3)

DAN 130. Dance Perceptions (3) or

MUS 101. Introducing Music (3) or

MUS 110. Music Fundamentals (3)

HUM 310. Key Concepts (3) or

HUM 312. Key Movements (3) or

HUM 314. Key Issues (3)

Select one of the following four pairs of courses (6 units):

1. ART 301. Arts and Crafts for the Non-Major (3) and

DAN 440. Dance for Children (3) or

PED 447. Dance Education in Elementary School (3) or

MUS 340. Music for Children (3) or

MUS 440. Introduction to Orff Schulwerk (3)

2. DAN 440. Dance for Children (3) or

PED 447. Dance Education in Elementary School (3) and

ART 301. Arts and Crafts for the Non-Major or

THE 337. Creative Dramatics (3) or

THE 374. Directing and Stage Management (3)

3. MUS 340. Music for Children (3) or

MUS 440. Introduction to Orff Schulwerk (3) and

ART 301. Arts and Crafts for the Non-Major or

THE 337. Creative Dramatics (3) or

THE 374. Directing and Stage Management (3)

4. THE 337. Creative Dramatics (3) or

THE 374. Directing and Stage Management (3) and

DAN 440. Dance for Children (3) or

PED 447. Dance Education in Elementary School (3) or

MUS 340. Music for Children (3) or

MUS 440. Introduction to Orff Schulwerk (3)

E. AREA V - Professional Development (11-22 units)

LBS 200. Introduction to Liberal Studies (1)

LBS 300. Service Learning for Liberal Studies Majors (1)

LBS 400. Senior Seminar in Liberal Studies (3)

PED 425. Physical Education in the Elementary School (3)

PSY 350. Child Psychology (3)

NOTE: Majors accepted into the Blended option take in addition to the Professional Development courses: TED 402 (3), TED 411 (2), TED 444 (1)

Options (9-27 upper division units)

One course (3 units) from the core requirements may "double count" for the option. These courses are marked with a (#) in each option area. To construct a "special" option, students are required to complete and submit a Liberal Studies Petition along with a proposal specifying courses (course descriptions required) and a brief statement explaining the request to substitute a special option. A decision to approve or deny will be made by the Director of the Liberal Studies Program. The options listed have been approved by the Liberal Studies Committee.

The Blended option integrates Liberal Studies subject matter with Teacher Education methods. Although majors accepted into the Blended option are required to take additional coursework to complete the program, an initial teaching credential will be earned concurrently with the bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies.

Anthropology Option (9-12 units)

1. Ethnology: select one of the following courses (3 units):

ANT 310. Culture and Personality: Psychological Anthropology (3)

ANT 312. Language and Culture (3) #

ANT 315. Magic & Religion (3)

ANT 388. Anthropological Theories of Behavior (3)

ANT 389. Transmission of Culture (3)

2. Ethnography: select one of the following courses (3 units):

ANT 330. North American Indians (3)

ANT 335. Comparative Cultures (3)

ANT 341. Folklore (3)

ANT 370. Peoples of the Old World (3)

3. Ancient Civilizations and Prehistory: select one of the following courses (3 units):

ANT 333. Ancient Peoples of Mexico and Guatemala (3)

ANT 350. Prehistory of Africa and Eurasia (3)

ANT 351. Prehistory of the Americas (3)

4. Research Methods: select one of the following courses (3 units):

ANT 313. Methods & Techniques of Archaeology (3)

ANT 375. Ethnographic Methods and Techniques (3)

Art Option (9-12 units)

1. Required course: Select one of the following (3 units):

ART 110. Introduction to World Art I (3) #

ART 111. Introduction to World Art II (3) #

2. Select three of the following courses (9 units):

ART 150. Ceramics I (3)

ART 179. Drawing I (3)

ART 180. Painting I (3)

ART 190. Sculpture I (3)

Blended Option (9-27 units)

The Blended Option integrates Liberal Studies subject matter with Teacher Education methods. In addition to the changes in the core courses, students must complete an area of concentration as approved by the Liberal Studies Program Director. All of the concentrations consist of 9-13 units, except for Spanish, which may consist of up to 27 units.

NOTE: The Blended Option is restricted to students accepted into the Blended Liberal Studies/Teacher Education Program. For more information call (310) 243-3832.

Dance Option (9-12 units)

DAN 210. Ballet I (2)

DAN 220. Modern Dance I (2)

DAN 330. Beginning Choreography I (2)

DAN 355. History of Dance (3)

DAN 440 Dance for Children (3) #

English Language and Linguistics Option (9-12 units)

ENG 317. Sociolinguistics: Black English (3)

ENG 351. Composition for Elementary School Teachers (3)

ENG 414. American English (3)

ENG 487. Introduction to Second Language Learning and Teaching (3) #

English Literature Option (9-12 units)

ENG 305. Critical Reading of Literature (3) #

ENG 306. Backgrounds of Western Literature (3)

ENG 325. Poetry (3)

ENG 341. American Literature: 1865-Present (3)

Human Development Option (9-12 units)

PSY 350. Child Psychology (3) #

PSY 351. Psychology of Adolescent Experience (3) [I} or

PSY 382. Psychological Development of the Black Child (3)

SOC 322. Social Environment of Education (3)

SOC 369. Juvenile Delinquency (3) or

SOC 321. Sociology of Education (3) or

BIO 380. Biology of Childhood and Adolescence (3)

Mathematics Option (10-13 units)

1. Required courses (7 units):

MAT 107. Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers: Real Numbers (3) #

MAT 153. College Algebra and Trigonometry (4)

2. Select two courses from the following (6 units):

MAT 131. Elementary Statistics and Probability (3)

MAT 141. Computers for the Mathematics Teaching (3)

MAT 143. Problem Solving in Mathematics (3)

Note: MAT 171 or any mathematics course listed in the mathematics major, such as MAT 191 or MAT 193, may be substituted for any of the courses above.

Physical Education Option (9-12 units)

1. Required upper division courses (8 units):

PED 305. Motor Learning (3)

PED 425. Physical Education in the Elementary School (3) #

PED 426. Directed Teaching in Elementary Physical Education (2)

2. Select two (2) courses from the following (2 units):

PED 111. Aerobics (1)

PED 113. Social and Folk Dance (1)

PED 132. Gymnastics (1)

3. Select two (2) courses from the following (2 units):

PED 118. Basketball (1)

PED 150. Soccer (1)

PED 152. Softball (1)

PED 164. Volleyball (1)

Spanish Option (9-27 units)

1. Lower Division prerequisites (0-15 units):

SPA 100. Beginning Spoken Interaction (3)

SPA 110. Beginning Spanish I (3)

SPA 111. Beginning Spanish II (3)

SPA 220. Intermediate Spanish I (3)

SPA 221. Intermediate Spanish II (3)

Note: Students who have completed some high school or community college Spanish and who pass a proficiency test will be placed in the appropriate semester of college Spanish. Consult a department advisor for details.

2. Required courses (9-12 units):

SPA 305. Advanced Composition, Syntax and Stylistics (3)

SPA 311. The Structure of Spanish (3)

SPA 341. Advanced Conversation (3)

SPA 435. A Sociolinguistic Approach to Mexican American Dialect (3) #

Course Offerings

The credit value for each course in semester units is indicated for each term by a number in parentheses following the title. Programs may indicate the term in which they expect to offer the course by the use of: “F” (fall), “S” (spring) or “EOY” (every other year).

Non-Baccalaureate

LBS 010 CBEST Preparation in Reading (1) FS.

Specifically designed to assist participants in developing skills and knowledge necessary for passing the reading section of the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test). Upon successful completion of the course competencies, the participant will be able to demonstrate ability in the reading areas to be tested as outlined in the CBEST Registration Bulletin. CR/NC grading.

LBS 020 CBEST Preparation in Writing (1) FS.

Specifically designed to assist participants in developing skills and knowledge necessary for passing the writing section of the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test). Upon successful completion of the course competencies, the participant will be able to demonstrate ability in the writing areas to be tested as outlined in the CBEST Registration Bulletin. CR/NC grading.

LBS 030 CBEST Preparation in Math (1) FS.

Specifically designed to assist participants in developing skills and knowledge necessary for passing the mathematics section of the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test). Upon successful completion of the course competencies, the participant will be able to demonstrate ability in the mathematical areas to be tested as outlined in the CBEST Registration Bulletin. CR/NC grading.

Lower Division

LBS 200 Introduction to Liberal Studies (1) FS.

Prerequisite: CBEST exam is highly recommended

Introduction to the Liberal Studies major and to the teaching profession. Study of K-8 California Content Standards, orientation to campus services, and beginning electronic portfolio entries for subject matter assessment. Computer technology for future teachers will be introduced and examined, with practical applications including email, databases, web searches, and electronic portfolios. CR/NC grading.

Upper Division

LBS 300 Service Learning for Liberal Studies Majors (1) FS

Prerequisite: Restricted to Liberal Studies majors. LBS 200. Students must (1) attempt to pass CBEST and provide LBS program with scores; (2) provide a copy of current (within 1 year) negative Tuberculosis test; and (3) provide copy of application for a Certificate of Clearance.

Designed to provide Liberal Studies majors with service learning opportunities as part of an early field experience for students preparing for teaching careers. Observations/participation will be structured according to course requirements and students will reflect on the nature of their experience and how this affects their development as prospective teachers. Students will complete a minimum of two hours per week of service learning in local public schools. The service learning experience will be linked to core Liberal Studies courses for subject matter content. Graded CR/NC only.

LBS 360 Blended Math Methods: Math Content and Pedagogy (4). S

Prerequisite: Admittance to the Blended Liberal Studies/Teacher Education Program.

Designed to assist the student in the development of mathematical content knowledge and pedagogical skills necessary for the effective teaching of elementary mathematics in the urban classroom.

LBS 370 Multicultural Studies: Teaching in a Diverse Society (5). F

Prerequisite: Admittance to the Blended Liberal Studies/Teacher Education Program.

Introduces students to the challenges of teaching in urban schools. Topics include multiculturalism, social scientific theory, and educational research regarding the schooling of ethnic and language minority students.

LBS 380 Blended Science Methods: Science Content and Pedagogy (4).

Prerequisite: Admittance to the Blended Liberal Studies/Teacher Education Program.

Designed to assist the student in the development of science content knowledge and pedagogical skills necessary for the effective teaching of elementary science in the urban classroom.

LBS 400 Senior Seminar in Liberal Studies (3) FS.

Prerequisite: LBS 300.

Provides a culmination of the Liberal Studies experience and an introduction to the Teacher Education Credential Program. Requirements include 15 hours of observation and participation in urban, multilingual and multicultural school settings with both regular and special education students. Course topics include credential program overview, introduction to Teacher Performance expectations and Assessment system and electronic portfolio, the California Content Standards, lesson planning, and the professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities of teachers.

LBS 401 Multiple Subject Matter Equivalency Evaluation Class (1).

Prerequisite: Approval of Program Director.

Fulfills the subject matter assessment requirement of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for students completing the Multiple Subject Matter Equivalency Program. Includes assessment of subject matter knowledge and review of the current state curriculum standards for K-8 instruction. CR/NC grading.