Course descriptions for Liberal Studies

Assessment of Early Field Experience allows students who have extensive elementary school classroom experience to demonstrate having met the outcomes of LS 298S, the early field experience course required by State guidelines for future teachers. Students must complete CSU GE Area D prior to transfer to CSUMB to be eligible for this course.

Special Topics courses study a particular topic in the liberal studies majorfor lower division students. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Introduction to Teaching & Learning introduces students to the teaching profession and classroom work by examining the daily work of classroom teachers in multicultural schools. Explores student and youth issues and schooling, the dynamics of school/parent/community relationships, and the effects of educational policies and practices on culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Students complete approximately 30 hours of early field experience through service learning activities. (Offered every semester.)

Major ProSeminar: Orientation, Perspectives & Lifelong Learning focuses on academic orientation and lifelong learning skills that are applicable in academic and professional contexts: basic and advanced writing skills, critical thinking, collaborative learning, academic self-development, research, and multicultural education. Students develop an Academic Learning Plan to guide their learning. (Offered every semester.)

Southeast Asian History and Cultures introduces the concept of culture, cultures, and cultural diversity in the U.S. with a specific focus on five Southeast Asian groups that migrated to the U.S. since 1975. Students develop the knowledge and skills of cross-cultural competence in a pluralistic and global society. Requires successful completion of coursework that satisfies the ENGCOM and Ethics ULRs, or GE equivalents. (Offered spring semester.)

In Teaching for Social Change, students learn the skills and theories of how to be agents of change, as educational professionals, in their communities. Students gain knowledge in integrating social action into K-8 school curriculum. Students engage in a social justice project relevant to a local issue or community. (Offered every semester.)

Innov Approaches to Schling: Issues in Education expands students' understanding of alternative education models and philosophies (e.g., Montessori, Waldorf, etc.). Students also explore the social environment in classrooms, and current trends and obstacles in teaching and learning. (Offered every semester.)

Issues in Comparative and International Education: The course introduces students to issues in comparative and international education in the context of a changing interrelated global society, by examining the historical events and processes that have impacted international education and the views of U.S. educators on issues of national security, development, development education, globalism, colonialism, nationalism, and ethno-nationalism of some globally representative national school systems in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Culture and Cultural Diversity introduces cross-cultural analysis of U.S. based social ethnic groups; power relations; and equity in social, political, and historical contexts. Explores contemporary issues of generational acculturation; construction of gender, race, class, abilities, and sexual identity; and environmental justice in the contexts of power, privilege, and discrimination. (Offered every semester.)

Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults: Familiarizes students with diverse and high quality children's literature across socio-cultural groups. Engages students in interpreting, from multiple perspectives, representations and socio-cultural patterns and symbols found across various authors and literary genres. Introduces students to various pedagogical approaches for the teaching of multicultural literature for children and young adults.

Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults: Familiarizes students with diverse and high quality children's literature across socio-cultural groups. Engages students in interpreting, from multiple perspectives, representations and socio-cultural patterns and symbols found across various authors and literary genres. Introduces students to various pedagogical approaches for the teaching of multicultural literature for children and young adults. Requires completion of an approved service learning project.

Special Topics courses study a particular topic in the liberal studies major. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Allows upper-division students to pursue courses on special topics. May involve such activities as readings and reaction papers, term papers, reports on life experiences, and action research. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Allows upper-division students to complete independent service learning experiences in the major. Students follow LS guidelines and requirements for service learning reflections, portfolio development, and assessment. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

Social Foundations of Multicultural Education: Service Learning examines issues, problems, and solutions to equitable schooling in a pluralistic society. Viewing schools as social institutions that transform the cultural and political dynamics of society. The course focuses on history, politics, and theories of education for culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Requires completion of approved service learning hours (approximately 20 hours) and community projects. (Offered every semester.)

The culminating learning experience in the major, Senior Capstone requires students to demonstrate and synthesize their learning across the disciplines through a well-defined research paper or project. Emphasizes both depth of content knowledge and reflection on students' growth through their coursework. Students may reflect on learning experiences, such as a learning Portfolio, begun in LS300 Major ProSeminar. Requires successful completion of coursework that satisfies the GWAR. (Offered every semester.)