Liberal Studies

Return to: College of Education and Integrative Studies

www.cpp.edu/~ls/

Christina Chávez-Reyes, Chair

The major in Liberal Studies offers a diversified curriculum for those who are attracted to an interdisciplinary program of study. The purposes of a Liberal Studies degree is to provide a liberal arts-based program focused on developing the intellectual capacities, communicative skills, interdisciplinary knowledge, and civic and professional dispositions needed in today’s workplaces and communities for (1) undergraduate students preparing to teach in California public elementary schools, and (2) students with multiple disciplinary interests who seek to enter careers in law enforcement,  human services, health professions, and graduate school among others. The program’s core curriculum is focused on understanding the human condition or what it means to be human through different human perspectives and disciplinary lenses, the historical aim of a liberal arts education. Adjusting for a 21^st century context, courses in the Liberal Studies Department are organized around program themes of social responsibility/social justice, sustainability and wellbeing.

Two main subplans are available. The first is a baccalaureate curriculum (subject matter) preparation for the teaching credential program called the Pre-credential subplan, which has emphases in Human Development, History, Visual and Performing Arts, Literature, Kinesiology, Mathematics and Science. General Studies subplan is a flexible program of study that assures a breadth of education across disciplines for students who desire to combine two or more disciplinary areas for personal and/or career objectives. It provides a choice of emphasis in Sustainability, Communities Studies, Professional Studies, or General.

For students interested in teaching, admission to the Teacher Education Program is by separate application, usually in the senior year or as a post-baccalaureate student. Students choosing a career in education should consult with the Credential Services Office in CEIS for entrance requirements for the credential program. Future teachers are also advised that the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) should be taken in their junior year to appropriately address possible deficiencies prior to graduation or application to the Teacher Education program. Teacher candidates also have the responsibility to pass the CSET examination, as well as other requirements. Contact the CEIS Credential Services Coordinator (909) 869-2314 or the Liberal Studies Department office at (909) 869-3567 for details, as teacher education requirements are subject to change.

The curriculum for those wishing to be teachers includes discipline areas of language and literature, mathematics, science, social science/history, humanities, the visual and performing arts, physical education and human development. Students must have a grade of C or better in each class to graduate in Pre-credential subplans. (This does not apply to the General Studies subplan.) Students interested in teaching after graduating in Liberal Studies may choose either the Education Specialist Credential Program or the Multiple Subject Credential Program if they meet the requirements – please see Credential Services Office for details.

For students choosing the General Studies subplan, elective courses may be used to satisfy all or part of the requirements for a minor in another subject, an additional major, or a diversified series of courses tailored to the student’s own interests. These students should seek frequent assistance from college academic advisors to make certain they are meeting requirements for graduation and to determine appropriate course work and activities to prepare for graduate school or their career of interest. 

Advising: There are two types of advising for Liberal Studies majors: curriculum advising and career/personal advising. For curriculum advising - which deals with what classes to take and related issues - Liberal Studies majors will see a College Academic Advisor, either Mrs. Berlinda Crawford or Mrs. Marlene Melinte. Online appointments and drop-in hours can be accessed at http://www.cpp.edu/~ceis/advising-center/contact.shtml and other important advising news and resources found at http://www.cpp.edu/~ceis/advising-center/index.shtml. CEIS also has Peer Advisors, Liberal Studies majors trained to help their peers manage basic advising issues. See http://www.cpp.edu/~ceis/advising-center/Peer-Advising/About-Us.shtml for more information .

Liberal Studies students are highly encouraged to see a College Academic Advisor at least twice per year, working as partners to progress toward degree completion. Students should take responsibility for their progress by keeping accurate and careful records, learning how to interpret their Bronco Direct student information, and staying well informed about degree requirements. It is physically impossible for all Liberal Studies majors to have curriculum advising appointments during the few weeks of official “advising” and “pre-registration” periods set by the University. Students should seek advising during non-peak times (e.g., times not during General Registration or add/drop periods) and come prepared for advising sessions to gain the best results. Advising appointments are scheduled throughout the year, including summer.

For career/personal advising, each Liberal Studies major is highly encouraged to meet with their assigned Liberal Studies Faculty Advisor at least once a year. In these meetings, faculty and students discuss career path options, including graduate school, the progress of undergraduate courses, and co-curricular experiences and requirements to prepare for careers. Faculty will also refer students to other university resources (e.g. Career Center) to seek advice or information about their desired career or other curricular issues.

Below is the alphabetical distribution of students per each faculty advisor:

Estela Ballón - Professor  

Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from A-Cook
 

Christina Chávez-Reyes - Professor

Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Cool-Gra
 

Karen S. Langlois - Professor 

Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Gri-Lum
 

Teresa Lloro-Bidart - Assistant Professor  

Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Lun-Pac
 

Jeffrey Roy - Assistant Professor

Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Pad-San
 

Maya Stovall - Assistant Professor

Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Saw-Z

To serve students in their career guidance, the department also has a Career Center Counselor and Liaison, Dr. Cheryl Love, advises in the college a few times a week. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the Liberal Studies Office (909) 869-3567.

Programs

• Liberal Studies, B.A. - General Studies Subplan/Option: 120 units
• Liberal Studies, B.A. - Pre-Credential Subplan/Option: 120 units

Courses

• LS 1020 - Integrating Knowledge, Learning, and Engagement for Success (3)
• LS 2000 - Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• LS 2011 - History and Purposes of the Liberal Arts: What is a Liberal Studies Mindset? (3)
• LS 2990 - Special Topics for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• LS 2990A - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Activity (1-3)
• LS 2990L - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Laboratory (1-3)
• LS 3011 - Knowledge and Knowing in the Liberal Arts (3)
• LS 3021 - The Humanities and the Liberal Arts (3)
• LS 3031 - The Social Sciences and the Liberal Arts (3)
• LS 3041 - The Natural Sciences and the Liberal Arts (3)
• LS 4000 - Special Study for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• LS 4011 - Liberal Studies Special Topics in Humanities, Social Science or Natural Sciences (3)
• LS 4211 - Arts Integration II (3)
• LS 4601S - Liberal Studies Synthesis Interdisciplinary Perspective on Contemporary Public Education - Service Learning (3)
• LS 4611 - Liberal Studies Senior Capstone – Activating the Liberal Studies Mindset (3)
• LS 4990 - Special Topics for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• LS 4990A - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Activity (1-3)
• LS 4990L - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Laboratory (1-3)

Return to: College of Education and Integrative Studies