Liberal Studies

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www.cpp.edu/~ls/

Christina Chávez-Reyes, Chair

Liberal Studies program offers a diversified curriculum for those attracted to discussing, collaborating, and finding answers to contemporary problems and issues using an interdisciplinary approach. The Liberal Studies degree provides a liberal arts-based program focused on developing intellectual capacities, communicative skills, interdisciplinary knowledge, and civic and professional dispositions that can be applied to today’s workplaces and communities.

This program serves two types of students: (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 focuses on gaining understanding of the human condition in relation to contemporary and emerging through different human disciplinary perspectives–an historical aim of a liberal arts education. Students will develop strong critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills that support the “soft skills” employers expect employees to have today. Adjusting for a 21st-century context, Liberal Studies courses are organized around four program themes: social responsibility/social justice, sustainability, creativity, and wellness.

Four main subplans are available.

1. General Studies subplan is a flexible program of study that assures a breadth of knowledge 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, Community Studies, Pre-Professional Studies, or General.
2. Pre-Credential subplan is a baccalaureate (bachelor’s) curriculum (subject matter) preparation to enter a teaching credential program in preparation for the California State Exam for Teachers (CSET). In this option, a student selects one of seven elementary subject matter areas as an emphasis to demonstrate some specialization: Human Development, History, Visual and Performing Arts, Literature, Kinesiology, Mathematics, and Science.
3. Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) in Special Education, Mild/Moderate is a blended baccalaureate curriculum in Liberal Studies with a teaching credential in special education in K-21 mild/moderate settings. Students take a modified pre-credential and teacher credential curriculum to earn a BA and Special Education Credential in four years. This option is a highly intensive program that includes two summer terms and some semesters with 16-18 units. Admitted students are required to complete an Admissions Interview Application, which is part of the teaching credential requirements.
4. Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) in Special Education, Moderate/Severe is a blended baccalaureate curriculum in Liberal Studies with a teaching credential in special education in K-21 moderate/severe settings. Students take a modified pre-credential and teacher credential curriculum to earn a BA and Special Education Credential in four years. This option is a highly intensive program that includes two summer terms and some semesters with 16-18 units. Admitted students are required to complete an Admissions Interview Application, which is part of the teaching credential requirements.

For students in the General Studies subplan can choose elective courses that may satisfy all or part of the requirements for a minor in another subject, an additional major, or a diversified series of courses tailored to a student’s interests. These students should seek frequent assistance from CEIS college advisors and CEIS Career Center Liaison to support course selection to meet graduation requirements. Advisors can also help determine appropriate course work and career-ready activities to prepare for graduate schools or careers.

For students in all options interested in teaching, the Pre-Credential and ITEP subplans consist of specific course work to acquire the subject matter content for elementary teachers in preparation to pass the California State Exam for Teacher (CSET) Multiple Subjects. Passage of this test is one requirement to enrolling in a teaching credential program.

Admission to a teacher credential program is by a separate application, usually in the senior year or as a post-baccalaureate (after Bachelor’s degree) student. ITEP students will apply to the teacher credential program as part of their degree in the second semester of their third year. Students who choose a career in elementary or special education, and intend to continue their credential work at CPP, should consult the CEIS Credential Services Office for entrance requirements to a multiple subject or special education credential program and seek advice from CEIS academic advisors. 

To meet teaching credential program requirements, prospective teachers are also advised to take the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) in their junior year, or sooner, to appropriately address possible deficiencies prior to graduation or applying to the Teacher Credential program. Teacher candidates must also pass the California State Exam for Teacher (CSET) examination, complete a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.67, and verify 45 paid or unpaid hours working with children from K-8 and other requirements. Email the Teacher Preparation & Recruitment Advisor  or call (909) 869-2301. Call the Liberal Studies Department office at (909) 869-3567 for details about the curriculum, as teacher education requirements are subject to change.

Advising: The Liberal Studies Department understands the need for students to seek and receive advise from professionals during college to make progress toward completing their degrees and to prepare for their work life after college. Therefore, we offer three complementary types of advising for Liberal Studies majors to meet their timeline for graduation: degree advising, career/personal advising, and career counseling.

For degree (academic/curriculum) advising - which deals with registration and related issues - Liberal Studies majors will see your College Advisor, professional advisor trained to help students address academic issues. Identify your advisor using your last name:

A-Me - Mrs. Marlene Melinte
Mf-Z - Mrs. Berlinda Crawford

Online appointments and drop-in hours can be made following instructions here; other important advising news and resources found here. College of Education and Integrative Studies also has Peer Advisors, college students trained to help their peers manage basic advising issues. See here for more information.

Liberal Studies students are highly encouraged to see a College Advisor at least twice per year, working with them 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 and deadlines.

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 can have conversations about:

• general college experience
• career path options, including graduate school
• establishing a professional relationship needed for letters of recommendation
• progress in undergraduate courses, and
• co-curricular experiences and possible requirements to prepare for careers or personal development.

Faculty aim to help students develop help-seeking abilities–necessary for a healthy adult life. Students should expect that faculty advisors might refer students to other university resources (e.g. Career Center, Financial Aid) to seek advice or information about their desired career or other issues, to create a proactive, informed decision maker.

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

Estela Ballón - Professor, Email
Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from A-Cook

Christina Chávez-Reyes - Professor, Email
Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Cool-Gra

Karen S. Langlois - Professor, Email
Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Gri-Lum

Teresa Lloro-Bidart - Assistant Professor, Email
Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Lun-Pac

Jeffrey Roy - Assistant Professor, Email
Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Pad-San

Maya Stovall - Assistant Professor, Email
Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Saw-Z

For career counseling - The department has a dedicated Career Center Counselor and Liaison, Dr. Cheryl Love, who meets with CEIS students in the college a few times a week. A Liberal Studies major herself, she aims to help students from any subplan plan for coursework or co-curricular experiences to make them career-ready by graduation. Appointments can be scheduled by contacting the Liberal Studies Office (909) 869-3567 or lsadmincoord@cpp.edu.

California Subject Matter Examinations for Teachers (CSET) - Multiple Subjects

The following courses present and assess pre-credential candidates’ subject matter content to prepare for the California Subject Matter Examinations for Teachers (CSET) - Multiple Subjects, which must be passed to enter a teacher credential program.

 *These courses cover a portion of content for the subject matter area.

Programs

• Liberal Studies, B.A. - General Studies Subplan/Option: 120 units
• Liberal Studies, B.A. - Integrated Teacher Education Program Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Disabilities Subplan/Option: 122 units
• Liberal Studies, B.A. - Integrated Teacher Education Program Education Specialist: Moderate/Severe Disabilities Subplan/Option: 125 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)

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