Credits Required: 

Total credits: 120

Upper-division credits: 60

Credits in residence at CSUMB: 30 (24 upper-division)

Credits in the major: 24 (12 upper-division)

Required Tests for Future Teachers

To enter a Multiple Subjects (Elementary School) Teacher Education Credential Program, students must provide evidence of having passed the California Subject Examination for Teachers-Multiple Subjects (CSET). Many students take this test at the end of their junior year, but a better strategy would be to take the subsections as you finish the related courework. The CSET is used to demonstrate competency in the subject areas completed as part of the Liberal Studies major and taught in K-8 curricula, namely: mathematics, English writing, reading and literature, history and social science, visual and performing arts, science,  physical education and development, human development, linguistics, and cultural diversity. More information can be obtained from the cset.nesinc.com website. As of  May 19, 2007,  candidates who pass all three subtests of CSET Multiple Subjects AND the new CSET Writing Skills will be considered proficient in the skills of reading, writing and mathematics and will not be required to take the formerly-required CBEST to earn a teaching credential.

Outcomes, Courses and Assessment

You officially begin the major by enrolling in LS 300: Major ProSeminar where you work with the instructor and the Liberal Studies Advising coordinator to create or revise your Major Requirements Graduation Check (MRGC). That MRGC maps out how you will achieve each of the Major Learning Outcomes designated below by successfully completing the listed courses or alternative assessment options. You conclude the major by completing your Capstone, a publicly presented project that displays your cumulative learning in the major. [Learn more at CSUMB.EDU/capstone].

Lower Division Major Learning Outcomes

California subject matter competency and CSU guidelines specify certain content that exceeds the usual ULR/GE requirements. These requirements are noted below as Lower Division Major Learning Outcomes (LD MLO) and are required by all Liberal Studies majors. Lower division MLOs are labeled as "LD MLO."

Major Learning Outcomes

LD MLO I Creative Arts

Students understand the basic skills, techniques and conceptual frameworks unique to the four following art forms: visual art, dance, music and theater/drama. Students respond to and produce art through written, visual or performance modalities that communicate effectively to a diverse audience. Students articulate a personal response to various works of visual and performing arts and communicate the significance of personal and cultural factors that shape their own responses and the cultural and historic factors that influence the responses of a specific audience to works of art.

Required Courses

  • Complete all of the following:
  • MPA 233: Expressive Arts (4 units)
  • MPA 295: Special Topics (1 to 4 units)

LD MLO II Service Learning

Students participate in and contribute to the success of a school site through service learning. Students examine the school's infrastructure, its relations with the community with a focus on students, and its relationship with its school districts and local educational agencies. Students engage in meaningful reflection about reciprocal service in elementary school settings.

Required Courses

  • LS 298S: Intro to Teaching & Learning S (3 units)

LD MLO III Natural Sciences

Students observe, record, analyze and interpret scientific phenomena which occur in earth science, life science and physical science. Students are aware of the impact of humans on ecosystems and of ecosystems as influential in sustaining life on earth.

Required Courses

  • Complete all of the following:
  • PHYS 121/L: Integrated Physical Science (4 units)
  • GEOL 210: Introduction to Earth Science (3 units)
  • BIO 204: Introduction to Life Sciences (3 to 4 units)

LD MLO IV Human Development

Students observe, reflect upon, analyze and interpret behavior of individuals across the lifespan, focusing on child and adolescent development. Students understand and draw upon a variety of theoretical perspectives to instruct and interact with others. Students identify the influence of context (e.g. socioeconomic status) on individual, familial and cultural development.

Required Courses

  • HDEV 260: Intro to Child Development (3 units)

LD MLO V World History and Geography

Students understand the histories of multiple peoples and various perspectives of events from ancient civilizations through the medieval and early modern times. Students understand and apply the concepts of longitude and latitude, distribution of major global geographic features and distribution of populations, and the themes of cultural landscape and culture-environment interaction.

Required Courses

  • Complete all of the following
  • GS 214: Global History: Ancient World (3 to 4 units)
  • SBS 252: Wrl/Reg/Geo/Cul/Soc/Sp:On-line (3 to 4 units)

MLO 1 Foundations and Perspectives in the Major

Students explore social, philosophical and historical perspectives of education in a multicultural and multilingual society. Students investigate their own position regarding the characteristics of a well-educated person in a pluralistic society. Students develop research, critical thinking and writing skills to be used as a foundation for their further studies in Liberal Studies and beyond.

Required Courses

  • LS 300: Major ProSeminar (3 units)

MLO 2 Social Foundations of Education

Students explore issues, problems and solutions to schooling in a pluralistic society by viewing schools as social institutions that reflect and influence both the values and the cultural and political dynamics of a society at large. Students examine the historical and philosophical underpinnings of schools in the United States. Students investigate education professionals as agents of social change.

Required Courses

  • LS 398S: Soc Found of Multicult Ed S (3 units)

MLO 3 Cross-Cultural Competence

Students demonstrate knowledge of the complexities that underlie values and assumptions about nationality, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, physical and cognitive disabilities, age, religion, ethnicities, cultural histories and environmental and species rights. Students compare their own cultural values and relationships across cultures with the values and relationships of other cultural groups. Students demonstrate knowledge of power privilege and discrimination and struggles for equity within the United States' cultural, ethical and hierarchical systems. Students demonstrate their cultural competency through the use of social science methodology and dialogue. Students demonstrate knowledge of environmental justice and its effect on humanity and the earth.

Required Courses

  • Complete one of the following:
  • LS 391: Culture & Cultural Dvrsty (3 units)
  • LS 362: Eqty Iss & Div Pers: Imm Pop (3 units)

MLO 4 Advanced English Communication

Students effectively and purposefully make meaning and examine assumptions using a variety of communication modalities, including reading, writing, listening and speaking, in a given communication situation and disciplinary framework. Students communicate creatively in ways that demonstrate integration across disciplinary frameworks.

Required Courses

  • Complete one of the following:
  • HCOM 311: LS only:GWAR Pract Reason&Comm (3 units)
  • HCOM 312: GWAR-Cooperative Argumentation (4 units)
  • HCOM 318: GWARAdvCompTheory/PracK-8Teach (4 units)

MLO 5 Literary Analysis and Criticism

Students analyze multicultural literature in cultural, social and historical contexts. Students apply diverse theoretical lenses to evaluate and assess the assumptions in the content and format of communications media regarding underrepresented and misrepresented voices. Students comprehend the ethically and aesthetically transformative nature of language and communications media, especially with regard to global and social equity.

Required Courses

  • Complete one of the following:
  • LS 394S: Multi Lit Chld & Yng Adults (3 units)
  • LS 394: Multi Lit Chld & Yng Adults (3 units)
  • SPAN 310: Hispanic Child Lit (4 units)

MLO 6 Linguistics and Language Development

Students understand principles of linguistics, language structure, language development, acquisition, phonics and language use and apply those concepts to real world literacy.

Required Courses

  • LING 392: Nat Lang/Lang Acquis (3 units)

MLO 7 Histories and Social Sciences

Students analyze human interactions and change in sociological, multicultural and educational contexts. Students understand the histories of multiple peoples and various perspectives of events of U.S. histories and government from early exploration to industrial America. Students discuss and analyze California early histories, the California Constitution era, and the social, political and economic changes and usage of natural resources that have shaped contemporary California.

Required Courses

  • Complete one of the following:
  • SBS 385/L: CA/Gov/Politic/Environ/History (5 to 6 units)
  • OR
  • SBS 386: Social/Pol/Hist/CA (4 units)
  • If Democratic Participation, California State and Local Government and U.S. government were completed at community college then SBS 385 L is not required.

MLO 8 Quantitative Literacy

Students explore and question mathematical problems and their characteristics. Students develop strategies related to solving problems and demonstrate an understanding of the paths to acceptable solutions. Students can explain mathematical ideas and reasons why algorithms yield correct results.

Required Courses

  • Complete all of the following:
  • MATH 308: Elementary Math - Adv Viewpt A (3 units)
  • MATH 309: Elementary Math - Adv Viewpt B (3 units)

MLO 9 Physical Development and Health

Students demonstrate understanding of the basic components of movement and physical activity including locomotor skills and biomechanics. Students identify the common causes of and interrelations among physical fitness, health and learning. Students understand scientifically-based principles of health promotion and disease prevention across the lifespan and in specific populations. Students integrate physical development, health and wellness into other areas of the curriculum.

Required Courses

  • KIN 374/L: Phys Ed for Elem Sch Child (3 to 5 units)

MLO 10 Subject Area Emphasis

Students create an upper division, 12-unit minimum, curricular focus of study that expands their knowledge of humanities, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences, technology, human growth and development, language studies, or the arts commonly taught in elementary school curricula. Emphases courses cannot be used to satisfy any other areas of the major or any minor.

The following minors are accepted in lieu of emphases:

 

Emphases are offered in:

History

Complete 12 units from the list below.

HCOM 351: Modern World History; HCOM 352: History According To Movies; HCOM 353: California At Crossroads; HCOM 354: Whose America?; HCOM 356: Multicultural History; HCOM 421: Social History of English Lang; HCOM 445: Slavery & Race in the Americas; SPAN 307: History&Politics Of Mex; SPAN 308: Hist/Cultr Aztlan:SW US; SPAN 309: Hist & Polit Of Latn Amer; JAPN 307: Japan-American Exper; SBS 315: Growth & Conflict/US to 1920; SBS 350: Domin/Resist/20th/Cent/Hist/US; GS 315: Global Hist: Worlds of Modern; GS 330: World Views; GS 335: Comparative/Gov'ts & Politics; GS 345: Glob Politcal Theory/Philosphy; SBS 332: World Prehistory; SBS 342: History of Economic Thought; SBS 381: Vietnam & US Since 1880; SBS 382: History of Modern Africa

Literature

Complete 12 units from the list below.

GS 362: Global Literatures; HCOM 322: Asian American Literature; HCOM 323: American Drama; HCOM 324: African American Narratives; HCOM 325: 20th Cent Narr Amer Immgr; HCOM 326: Jewish Holocaust Literature; HCOM 327: Survey American Literature; HCOM 328: Latina Life Stories; HCOM 329: Auto/Biografias; HCOM 335: Amer Ethnic Lit & Culture; HCOM 336: Poetry & Gender; HCOM 337: Women's Literature; HCOM 338: Multicultural Adolescent Lit; HCOM 426: Travel Narratives; HCOM 428: Contemporary Chicana Poetry; HCOM 429: BritLit& Engl Lang Perspective; HCOM 433: Life Stories & Life Writing; HCOM 436: Literature of Sexualities; HCOM 437: Shakespeare; JAPN 309: Japanese Lit in Translation; SPAN 304: Intro To Hispanic Literat; SPAN 310: Hispanic Child Lit; SPAN 321: Masterpieces of Hispanic Lit; SPAN 328: Latina Life Stories; SPAN 365: The Chicano Novel; SPAN 425: La Literatura Mexicana; SPAN 426: Narativa Hispanoamericana; SPAN 427: Latin Amer Women Writers; SPAN 428: La Literatura Afrolatina

Math

The math minor is strongly recommended in lieu of a math emphasis. Complete 12 units from the list below.

MATH 304: Modern Algebra; MATH 305: Modern Geometry; MATH 306: Logic & Foundations

Science

Complete 12 units from the list below.

BIO 342: California Ecosystems; BIO 345: Marine Biology; BIO 345L: Marine Biology Lab; BIO 347: Working with Marine Mammals; ENVS 303: Calif Transect Orientation; ENVS 303L: California Transect Lab; ENVS 309: Sci & Policy of Global Change; ENVS 349S: Natural History Interpretation; ENVS 369S: Com-Based Watershed Restor SL; GEOL 360: Geomorphic Systems; KIN 370: Anatomy & Physiology I; KIN 370L: Anatomy & Physiology I Lab; KIN 371: Anatomy & Physiology II; KIN 371L: Anatomy & Physiology II Lab; KIN 360: Nutritional Science; KIN 360L: Nutritional Science Lab

Social Science

Complete 12 units from the list below.

GS 310: Genealogy of Globalization; GS 311: US/Foreig/Poli/Pac/Rim/3rd/Wrl; GS 330: World Views; GS 340: Global Media & Comm; GS 350: Gender/Violence in Global Life; GS 360: Religion/Violence/Peacemaking; GS 370: Global Political Economy; GS 375: Ecological Political Economy; GS 376: Political Economy of the US; GS 390: Global Politics; HCOM 307: Social Impact of Mass Media; HCOM 307S: Soc Impct Of Mass Media SL; HCOM 309: Intercultural Communication; HCOM 310: Free Speech & Resp; HCOM 316: Media Ethics; HCOM 320: Grammar, Usage & Power: HCOM 342: Feminist Theories & Methods; HCOM 344: Chicana/Latina Experiences; HCOM 345: Chicano Life & Culture; HCOM 346: African American Life/History; HCOM 357: Constitutional Law; HCOM 358: Crit Perspect on Law inSociety; HCOM 359: Sexuality, Law and History; HCOM 365: Chicana/o Latina/o History; HCOM 445: Slavery & Race in the Americas; HCOM 446: EthnograpPortraits/Culture Cit; HCOM 455; SBS 320S: Hispanic Calif - 1542 to 1848; SBS 324; SBS 325: Art of the Aztec Empire; SBS 330: Crime & Violence; SBS 348: Maya Civilization; SBS 351: Intro to Global Economics; SBS 351L: Intro/Global/Economics/Lab; SBS 384S: Cult/Contexts/Bilingual/Educat

Visual and Performing Arts

  • Complete two or more courses from the following list (8 unit minimum).

MPA 301: Music for Children; VPA 307: Diverse Hist Contemp Art; VPA 308: Ways Of Seeing; VPA 312: Vis Arts Ed For Teachers; VPA 313: Regional Art History

  • Complete one or more courses from the following list (4 unit minimum).

MPA 310: Gospel Choir; MPA 320: Chorale; MPA 330: Voice Training; MPA 335: Reflections on America; MPA 337: MusHistory I 500-1750 ONLINE; MPA 338: MusHistory II 1750-1900 ONLINE; MPA 360: Survey of World Music ONLINE; MPA 410: Instrumental Music; TAT 328: Teledramatic History I; TAT 329: Teledramatic History II; TAT 330: Cinamatic Storytelling; TAT 399S: TAT in the Community; VPA 301: Beginning Painting; VPA 303: Beginning Sculpture; VPA 315: Life Drawing

 

MLO 11 Ethical Reflection and Social Responsibility

Students participate responsibly in discipline-based and/or profession-based group situations and communities. Students can engage in critical self-reflection of their participation in the community including their own assumptions and stereotypes and their contributions as service learners and future professionals to the community's efforts to change systemic inequities and injustice. Students are knowledgeable of the demographics, sociocultural dynamics and assets of a specific community, school and/or profession-based setting. Students understand reciprocity in the dynamics of service work and learning in community situations.

Required Courses

  • Complete at lease two courses:
  • LS 298S: Intro to Teaching & Learning S (3 units)
  • LS 398S: Soc Found of Multicult Ed S (3 units)
  • LS 394S: Multi Lit Chld & Yng Adults (3 units)
  • LING 392S: Nat Lang/Lang Acquis SL (1 units)

MLO 12 Research and Synthesis in the Major

Students identify and refine a topic and formulate a research question or community need that can be met through a Capstone project. Students locate, retrieve and evaluate scholarly information relevant to the research question or project and organize, interpret and communicate findings, conclusions and/or outcomes. Students design a research/project proposal, articulate a problem-solving approach and complete their project. Students integrate and reflect on their learning experiences in Liberal Studies.

Required Courses

  • LS 400: Senior Capstone (3 units)

MLO 13 Advanced Arts, History and Science Competency

Students deepen their fundamental understanding of the visual and performing arts, histories and sciences. Students complete two courses of advanced coursework in two of three areas of arts, history and science.

Students can choose either MLO 13 and MLO 14 or courses from the CSUMB Multiple Subjects Credential Program as part of the LS Integrated Program.

Required Courses

  • Complete two courses (8 units) from two of the three areas:
  • Arts
  • MPA 301: Music for Children (4 units)
  • MPA 335: Reflections on America (4 units)
  • MPA 337: MusHistory I 500-1750 ONLINE (4 units)
  • MPA 338: MusHistory II 1750-1900 ONLINE (4 units)
  • MPA 360: Survey of World Music ONLINE (4 units)
  • MPA 365: Survey of Global Music (1 to 4 units)
  • TAT 330: Cinamatic Storytelling (4 units)
  • VPA 307: Diverse Hist Contemp Art (4 units)
  • VPA 308: Ways Of Seeing (4 units)
  • VPA 312: Vis Arts Ed For Teachers (4 units)
  • VPA 313: Regional Art History (4 units)
  • History
  • GS 315: Global Hist: Worlds of Modern (4 units)
  • GS 330: World Views (4 units)
  • GS 335: Comparative/Gov'ts & Politics (4 units)
  • GS 345: Glob Politcal Theory/Philosphy (4 units)
  • HCOM 346: African American Life/History (4 units)
  • HCOM 351: Modern World History (4 units)
  • HCOM 353: California At Crossroads (4 units)
  • HCOM 354: Whose America? (4 units)
  • HCOM 445: Slavery & Race in the Americas (4 units)
  • HCOM 365: Chicana/o Latina/o History (4 units)
  • SBS 315: Growth & Conflict/US to 1920 (4 units)
  • SBS 342: History of Economic Thought (4 units)
  • SBS 350: Domin/Resist/20th/Cent/Hist/US (4 units)
  • Science
  • ENVS 309: Sci & Policy of Global Change (4 units)
  • ENVS 349S: Natural History Interpretation (4 to 5 units)
  • ENVS 369S: Com-Based Watershed Restor SL (5 units)
  • BIO 342: California Ecosystems (4 units)
  • KIN 360: Nutritional Science (3 units)
  • KIN 360L: Nutritional Science Lab (1 units)
  • KIN 370: Anatomy & Physiology I (3 units)
  • KIN 370L: Anatomy & Physiology I Lab (1 units)
  • KIN 371: Anatomy & Physiology II (3 units)
  • KIN 371L: Anatomy & Physiology II Lab (1 units)

MLO 14 Advanced Inquiry into Education

Students build on foundational knowledge to reflect on cultural perspectives and contemporary issues in education. Students explain, critique and evaluate current advanced topics in education.

Students can choose either MLO 13 and MLO 14 or courses from the CSUMB Multiple Subjects Credential Program as part of the LS Integrated Program.

Required Courses

  • LS 380: Teaching for Social Change (3 units)
  • AND
  • LS 383: Innov Approaches to Schooling (3 units)
  • OR
  • LS 384: Issues Comp & Internat Ed (1 to 3 units)

Concentrations