Program Learning Objectives
Upon graduating, Liberal Studies students will:
- Examine the importance of the physical, social and cognitive development of children and their application to learning.
- Demonstrate subject matter competency in the following domains: Reading, Language and Literacy, History and Social Science, Mathematics, Science, Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Education and Human Development.
- Examine and reflect on how knowledge is developed and organized through best teaching and learning practices specific to each domain, with a focus on metacognition.
- Demonstrate effective oral, written and interpersonal communication skills in a variety of contexts including the use of appropriate technology.
- Integrate the content of one discipline into another through the development of projects across subject matter areas.
- Synthesize information and integrate experiences that promote personal and professional growth in the field of education.
- Demonstrate engagement as an agent for change in diversity and inclusion using principles of social justice, equity and ethical practice.
Degree Requirements and Curriculum
In addition to the program requirements listed on this page, students must also satisfy requirements outlined in more detail in the Minimum Requirements for Graduation section of this catalog, including:
- 60 units of upper-division courses
- Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR)
- 2.0 GPA
- U.S. Cultural Pluralism (USCP)
Note: Up to 4 units of credit/no credit grading may be selected for courses in Major, Support, or Concentration.
| MAJOR COURSES | ||
| LS 201 | Orientation to Liberal Studies | 1 |
| LS 211 | Visual Arts in the Elementary Classroom | 4 |
| LS 214 | Constitutional Issues in the History of U.S. and California Education | 4 |
| LS 230 | Field Experience in the Elementary Classroom I | 2 |
| LS 250 | Field Experience in the Elementary Classroom II | 2 |
| LS/ENGL 255 | Children's Literature in a Diverse Society (Lower-Division C Elective) 1 | 4 |
| LS 301 | Liberal Studies Career Preparation | 1 |
| LS 310 | Storytelling: Modern Applications of Traditional Narrative | 4 |
| LS 370 | Performing Arts in the Elementary Classroom | 4 |
| LS 411 | Advanced History/Social Sciences Integration for the K-8 Classroom | 4 |
| or LS 412 | Advanced Arts Integration for the K-8 Classroom | |
| or LS 413 | Advanced Science/Engineering Integration for the K-8 Classroom | |
| LS 461 | Senior Project Seminar | 4 |
| or LS 462 | Senior Project Research | |
| ASTR 101 | Introduction to the Solar System (B1) 1 | 4 |
| BIO 111 | General Biology (B2 & B3) 1 | 4 |
| BIO 211 | Biology of Plants and Animals | 4 |
| ENGL 391 | Topics in Applied Linguistics | 4 |
| GEOG 308 | Global Geography (Upper-Division D) 1 | 4 |
| HIST 201 | United States History to 1865 (D1) 1 | 4 |
| HIST 208 | Survey of California History (USCP) | 4 |
| HIST 210 | World History to 1800 (D2) 1, 2 | 4 |
| KINE 310 | Concepts and Applications in Elementary Physical Education | 3 |
| HLTH 443 | Health Education for Teachers | 4 |
| MATH 227 | Mathematics for Elementary Teaching I (B4) 1 | 4 |
| MATH 328 | Mathematics for Elementary Teaching II | 4 |
| MATH 329 | Mathematics for Elementary Teaching III | 4 |
| MATH 330 | Algebraic Thinking with Technology | 4 |
| PHIL 230 | Philosophical Classics: Knowledge and Reality (C2) | 4 |
| or PHIL 231 | Philosophical Classics: Ethics and Political Philosophy | |
| PSC 101 | Matter and Energy (GE Electives) 1 | 4 |
| PSC 102 | Atoms and Molecules | 4 |
| PSC 103 | The Physical Environment: Earth | 4 |
| PSY 201 | General Psychology (E) 1 | 4 |
| or PSY 202 | General Psychology | |
| STAT 130 | Introduction to Statistical Reasoning 3 | 4 |
| or STAT 217 | Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Methods | |
| Concentration, approved minor, or individualized course of study | 18-22 | |
| SUPPORT COURSES | ||
| CD/EDUC 207 | Children's Learning and Development in Educational Settings | 4 |
| EDUC 427 | Theories, Methods, and Assessment of First and Second Language Acquisition in Schools 4 | 4 |
| EDUC 428 | Foundations of K-8 Literacy Teaching and Learning in Schools with Diverse Populations 4 | 4 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION | ||
| (See GE program requirements below.) | 32 | |
| FREE ELECTIVES | ||
| Free Electives 5 | 1-5 | |
| Total units | 180 | |
| 1 | Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement. |
| 2 | Students in the History/Social Sciences concentration, may substitute with HIST 221. |
| 3 | Students considering a Child Development or Psychology minor should consider taking STAT 217. |
| 4 | Prerequisite for Multiple Subject Credential program at Cal Poly. For a credential program elsewhere, check the prerequisites for that institution. |
| 5 | If a General Education (GE) course is used to satisfy a Major or Support requirement, additional units of Free Electives may be needed to complete the total units required for the degree. |
Students may select one of the following concentrations or listed minors to count toward a concentration.
Concentrations
- Human Development
- English
- Environmental Education
- History/Social Sciences
- Mathematics
- Science
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Individualized Course of Study
With department chair approval, students may select one of the minors listed below or pursue a course of study which meets their individual needs and interests; this must be initiated early and all courses must be pre-approved. The individualized course of study consists of 18-20 units with at least one course at the 300-400 level. Courses are selected by the student in consultation with an advising faculty member. The list of courses is a contract between the student and the department.
Minors that can be taken to create an Individualized Course of Study
- Ethnic Studies
- Music
- Spanish
When selecting one of these minors to create an ICS, students should be advised the concentration will appear on their official transcript as Individualized Course of Study. The minor must be declared separately with the minor department in order for it to appear on the official transcript.
General Education (GE) Requirements
- 72 units required, 40 of which are specified in Major and/or Support.
- If any of the remaining 32 units is used to satisfy a Major or Support requirement, additional units of Free Electives may be needed to complete the total units required for the degree.
- See the complete GE course listing.
- A grade of C- or better is required in one course in each of the following GE Areas: A1 (Oral Communication), A2 (Written Communication), A3 (Critical Thinking), and B4 (Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning).
| Area A | English Language Communication and Critical Thinking | |
| A1 | Oral Communication | 4 |
| A2 | Written Communication | 4 |
| A3 | Critical Thinking | 4 |
| Area B | Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning | |
| B1 | Physical Science (4 units in Major) 1 | 0 |
| B2 | Life Science (4 units in Major) 1 | 0 |
| B3 | One lab taken with either a B1 or B2 course | |
| B4 | Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (4 units in Major) 1 | 0 |
| Upper-Division B | 4 | |
| Area C | Arts and Humanities | |
| Lower-division courses in Area C must come from three different subject prefixes. | ||
| C1 | Arts: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater | 4 |
| C2 | Humanities: Literature, Philosophy, Languages other than English (4 units in Major) 1 | 0 |
| Lower-Division C Elective - Select a course from either C1 or C2 (4 units in Major) | 0 | |
| Upper-Division C | 4 | |
| Area D | Social Sciences - Select courses in Area D from at least two different prefixes | |
| D1 | American Institutions (Title 5, Section 40404 Requirement) (4 units in Major) 1 | 0 |
| D2 | Lower-Division D (4 units in Major plus 4 units in GE) 1 | 0 |
| Upper-Division D (4 units in Major) 1 | 0 | |
| Area E | Lifelong Learning and Self-Development | |
| Lower-Division E (4 units in Major) 1 | 0 | |
| Area F | Ethnic Studies | |
| F | Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| GE Electives in Areas B, C, and D | ||
| Select courses from two different areas; may be lower-division or upper-division courses. | ||
| GE Electives (4 units in Major plus 4 units in GE) 1 | 4 | |
| Total units | 32 | |
| 1 | Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement. |
| 2 | Recommended courses to satisfy GE Area C1: MU 101, DANC 221, or TH 210 for individuals planning to pursue a teaching credential. |
Courses Needed for Multiple Subject Credential
| EDUC 402 | Learning to Teach K-8 Health and Physical Education with Diverse Populations | 3 |
| EDUC 429 | Learning to Teach K-8 Literacy in Schools with Diverse Populations | 4 |
| EDUC 431 | Learning to Teach K-8 Social Studies with Diverse Populations | 4 |
| EDUC 435 | Learning to Teach K-8 Mathematics with Diverse Populations | 4 |
| EDUC 436 | Learning to Teach K-8 Science with Diverse Populations | 4 |
| EDUC 438 | Multiple Subject Clinical Practice I | 4 |
| EDUC 439 | Multiple Subject Clinical Practice Seminar I | 3 |
| EDUC 440 | Educating Individuals with Exceptional Needs | 4 |
| EDUC 450 | Teaching Performance Assessment Seminar | 1 |
| EDUC 454 | Multiple Subject Clinical Practice II | 6 |
| EDUC 455 | Multiple Subject Clinical Practice Seminar II | 3 |
| EDUC 456 | Multiple Subject Clinical Practice III | 12 |
| EDUC 457 | Multiple Subject Clinical Practice Seminar III | 3 |
| Total units | 55 | |
San Luis Obispo, California 93407