Liberal Studies B.A. Teaching Pathway ~ Degree Requirements
Total credits: 120
Upper-division credits: 60
Credits in residence at CSUMB: 30 (24 upper-division)
Credits in the major: 24 (12 upper-division)
In California, students wanting to become teachers need to pass two standardized tests prior to entering a teaching credential program. The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) evaluates competency in basic reading, writing, mathematics, critical analysis and evaluation, and comprehension. Most students should take this test in their sophomore or junior year. More information can be obtained from the cbest.nesinc.com website.
At the conclusion of the Liberal Studies major, in order to enter a Multiple Subjects (Elementary School) Teacher Education Credential Program, students must pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers--Multiple Subjects (CSET). This examination is used to demonstrate competency in the subject areas completed as part of the Liberal Studies major and taught in K-8 curricula: 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. Most students take this test in the beginning of their senior year. More information can be obtained from the cset.nesinc.com website.
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 Individual Learning Plan (ILP). That ILP 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.
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.
Complete both of the following: MPA 233 and MPA 233L
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.
Complete the following: LS 298S
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.
Complete all of the following: PHYS 121 and PHYS 121L; GEOL 210; and BIO 204
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, family, and cultural development.
Complete the following: HDEV 260
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.
Complete both of the following: GS 214 and SBS 252
Upper Division Major Learning Outcomes
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.
Complete the following: LS 300
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.
Complete the following: LS 398S
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.
Complete one of the following: LS 391 or LS 362
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.
Complete one of the following: HCOM 311; HCOM 312; or HCOM 318
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.
Complete one of the following: LS 394S; SPAN 310; or HCOM 348
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.
Complete the following: LING 392
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.
Complete the following: SBS 385 (California history) and SBS 385L (U.S. Government)*
*If U.S. government was completed at community college, 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.
Complete both of the following: MATH 308 and MATH 309
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.
Complete the following: HPWE 374 and HPWE 374L
MLO 10 Subject Area Emphasis ~ Students create a minimum 12-unit, upper division, curricular focus of study that expands the knowledge of humanities, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences, technology, human growth and development, language studies, and the arts commonly taught in elementary school curricula.
Emphases are offered in:
The following Minors are accepted in lieu of emphases:
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.
Students must complete a minimum of 50 hours across two CSUMB learning experiences in an elementary school classroom under the supervision of a certificated teacher. Typical learning experiences and service learning hours are embedded into the following courses:
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.
Complete: LS 400
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.
Completion of this MLO is waived for those admitted to the CSUMB Multiple Subjects Credential Program as part of the LS Integrated Program
Complete two courses (8 units) in two of the three areas:
Arts
History
Science
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.
Completion of this MLO is waived for those admitted to the CSUMB Multiple Subjects Credential Program as part of the LS Integrated Program
Complete both of the following: LS 395 Special Topics: Cultural Perspectives and LS 395 Special Topics: Issues in Education (As Special Topics courses, these numbers are temporary and will have permanent numbers and titles soon. See the Liberal Studies Department webpage for current information).