LS 1201
Orientation to Liberal Studies
(1 unit)
Term Typically Offered: F
Career and academic planning, co-curricular, extra-curricular opportunities, and pathway into a K-8 teaching profession. Academic policies and procedures, goal settings, elements of career in education, and other topics relevant to student and professional success. Intended for new students in the Liberal Studies major. 1 activity. Formerly LS 201.
LS 2230
Field Experience in the Elementary Classroom I
(2 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Current practices and issues in elementary education including teacher compensation, cultural impact on schools, California Content Standards, instructional pedagogies, effective classroom management, and English Learners. TK-6 structured observation is required in a local elementary school. Field trip required. 1 seminar, 1 activity. Formerly LS 230.
LS 2255
Children's Literature in a Diverse Society
(3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
2026-28 or later catalog: GE Area 3B
2020-26 catalogs: GE Area C2
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2020-26 catalogs).
Culturally diverse children's literature with a focus on analysis and evaluation of literary elements and structures, critical perspectives, trends, and issues. A wide range of authors, genres and formats including folktales, fantasy, poetry, informational, historical and realistic fiction books. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 3 lectures. Fulfills GE Area 3B (GE Area C2 for students on the 2020-26 catalogs). Crosslisted as ENGL/
LS 2255. Formerly ENGL/LS 255.
LS 2270
Special Topics
(1-3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Directed group study of special topics. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Repeatable up to 6 units. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 1 to 3 lectures. Formerly LS 290.
LS 2370
Performing Arts for Children: Theory and Practice
(3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
2026-28 or later catalog: GE Area 3A
2020-26 catalogs: GE Area C1
Survey of theoretical and practical concepts of music, theater, and dance for children. Emphasis on use of the Performing Arts as versatile multidisciplinary tools that build connections across diverse social, educational, and cultural contexts. Attendance of outside performances required. 2 lectures, 1 activity. Fulfills GE Area 3A (GE Area C1 for students on the 2020-26 catalogs).
LS 3211
Arts in the Elementary Classroom
(3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SPPrerequisite: Completion of GE Area 3A (GE Area C1 for the 2020-26 catalogs). Recommended: LS 2370; and one of the following: LS 230, LS 2230 or LS 3250. Theory, appreciation, applications of the arts through strategies related to educational processes. Focus on elements and principles of design while fostering artistic creation and perception through creation of crafts, responses, presentations. Field trip required. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Replaced LS 211.
LS 3214
Constitutional Issues and Social/Historical Foundations of U.S. and California Education
(4 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area 1A with a grade of C- or better (GE Area A2 for the 2020-26 catalogs); or completion of GE Area 1C with a grade of C- or better (GE Area A1 for the 2020-26 catalogs). Recommended: Completion of GE Area 1B with a grade of C- or better (GE Area A3 for the 2020-26 catalogs).
Examination of U.S. and California constitutions, legislation, and landmark court decisions affecting public education from the pre-colonial period to the present. Exploration of historic contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds, school reform movements, and current controversies. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures. Replaced LS 214.
LS 3250
Field Experience in the Elementary Classroom II
(2 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SPPrerequisite: LS 230 or LS 2230. Current practices and issues in elementary education. Focus on effective teaching, student motivation, California and U.S. educational policy, special education, assessment, accountability, and importance of culture on learning communities. TK-6 structured observation is required in a local elementary school. Field trip required. 1 seminar, 1 activity. Replaced LS 250.
LS 3301
Liberal Studies Career Preparation
(1 unit)
Term Typically Offered: F, SPPrerequisite: Junior standing. Recommended: LS 201 or LS 1201. Overview of ethical, legal, and historical issues in education; major foundational philosophies in American public education. Career pathways in education, targeted advising, portfolio building and professional goals and opportunities. 1 activity. Formerly LS 301.
LS 3305
Project Based Learning in STEM Education
(1-2 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
CR/NC
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area 2 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area B4 for the 2020-26 catalogs); and completion of GE Area 5 (GE Areas B1 to B3 for the 2020-26 catalogs).
Extended collaborative study of question or problem in STEM using Project Based Learning (PBL); includes consideration of educational framework and principles of PBL. Issues have engineering design components that require application of mathematics, technology, and science. Repeatable up to 4 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1 to 2 activities. Formerly LS 305.
LS 3310
Storytelling: Modern Applications of Traditional Narrative
(3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: Junior standing; and completion of GE Area 1C with a grade of C- or better (GE Area A1 for the 2020-26 catalogs).
Techniques for selection, preparation and presentation of traditional folktales and myths for an audience. Discussion of theatrical and storytelling techniques. Applications of storytelling in teaching and organizations. Theory and history of folk literature and mythology. 3 lectures. Formerly LS 310.
LS 3350
Identity and Equity in American Schools
(3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
2026-28 or later: Upper-Div GE Area 4
2020-26 catalogs: Upper-Div GE Area D
USCP
Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of one course in GE Area 1 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2020-26 catalogs); completion of GE Area 2 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area B4 for the 2020-26 catalogs); and completion of one lower-division course in GE Area 4 (GE Areas D1 or D2 for the 2020-26 catalogs).
Interdisciplinary examination of school, family, and community relationships, at the school and classroom level. Role of teachers' and students' intersectional identities in school achievement, disciplinary, and life-course outcomes. The school-to-prison-to-deportation pipeline. Educational equity and related issues. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 3 lectures. Fulfills GE Upper-Division 4 (GE Area Upper-Division D for students on the 2020-26 catalogs) and USCP. Formerly LS 350.
LS 3380
Education Apprenticeship
(1-2 units)
Structured application of subject matter content in schools and informal educational settings. Topics include: Arts, English, Science, Mathematics, History/Social Studies, Physical Education and Health, Interdisciplinary K-8 Education, and Animal-Assisted Education in Schools. Participation in public schools requires mandated fingerprint clearance. The Class Schedule will list subtitle selected. Repeatable up to 4 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 1 to 2 activities. Formerly LS 380.
LS 4400
Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates
(1-2 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Senior standing.
Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems. Repeatable up to 4 units. Formerly LS 400.
LS 4411
Advanced History/Social Sciences Integration for the K-8 Classroom
(3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: Senior standing; Liberal Studies major; and completion of GE Area 4 (GE Area D for the 2020-26 catalogs).
Analysis and practice of history and social sciences knowledge and skills to facilitate K-8 learning through identifying major themes and questions. Use of inquiry, assessment, curriculum integration, and technology to connect discipline specific content to contemporary social issues. Field trip required. 2 seminars, 1 activity. Formerly LS 411.
LS 4412
Advanced Arts Integration for the K-8 Classroom
(3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SPPrerequisite: LS 211 or LS 3211. Analysis and practice of Visual or Performing Arts knowledge and skills to facilitate K-8 learning through identifying major themes and questions. Use of inquiry, assessment, curriculum integration, and technology to connect discipline specific content to contemporary social issues. Field trip may be required. 3 lectures. Formerly LS 412.
LS 4413
Advanced Science/Engineering Integration for the K-8 Classroom
(3 units)
Term Typically Offered: FPrerequisite: Junior standing; completion of GE Area 2 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area B4 for the 2020-26 catalogs); BIO 211 or BIO 3210; and one of the following: LS 230, LS 2230, or LS 3250. Recommended: MATH 3481. Analysis and practice of science and engineering knowledge and skills to facilitate K-8 learning through identifying major themes and questions. Use of inquiry, assessment, curriculum integration, and technology to connect discipline specific content to contemporary social issues. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 activity. Formerly LS 413.
LS 4461
Senior Project Seminar
(3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SPPrerequisite: Senior standing; one of the following: LS 230, LS 2230, or LS 3250; LS 3214; and completion of Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR). Examination of issues in education of state, national and international concern. Students prepare presentations and conduct individual research and analysis of selected problems. Substantial research paper required. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 3 seminars. Formerly LS 461.
LS 4462
Senior Project Research
(1-3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBDPrerequisite: Senior standing; completion of Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR); and one of the following: LS 411, LS 4411, LS 412, LS 4412, LS 413, or LS 4413. Application of content and theory to the educational experience of one specific subject matter area in the Liberal Studies program. Repeatable up to 3 units. Formerly LS 462.
LS 4470
Special Advanced Topics
(1-4 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Directed group study of special topics for advanced students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Repeatable up to 8 units. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 1 to 4 lectures. Formerly LS 470.
