Liberal Studies

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The Liberal Studies Department has two programs: The Liberal Studies Program and the Interdisciplinary General Education Program.

Liberal Studies

www.cpp.edu/~ls/

Christina Chávez-Reyes, Chair

The Liberal Studies program offers a bachelor’s degree with a diversified curriculum for those attracted to discussing, collaborating on, and exploring 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 issues from different human and disciplinary perspectives–an historical goal of a liberal arts education. Students will develop strong critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills that support the “soft skills” employers expect from employees. Adjusting for a 21st-century context, Liberal Studies courses are organized around four program themes (social responsibility/social justice, sustainability, creativity, and wellness) that are explored in courses and co-curriculum events.

As a program at a polytechnic university, Liberal Studies majors receive the polytechnic advantage through experiential or hands-on learning. Student will work in active learning classrooms through group work, discussion, and projects among other activities. The LS Program has a PolyX pathway, where students take Liberal Studies course designed as Signature Polytechnic Experiences. To begin, LS students apply academic knowledge through a design thinking project meant to improve a community issue (LS 1020 ), then they can take Public and Participatory Science in Action (LS 3041  ) or service-learning to teach environmental science in a community garden (LS 3042S ) or a computer-generated art project (LS 4011 , Generative Art Stovall), and exhibiting their work on the LS Studies Virtual Student Showcase (all LS courses). Those seeking to become elementary educators will also work with or design for young children in their math, science, and integrated arts courses. These signature polytechnic experiences provide LS graduates with ample practice at life and workplace skills.

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.
   
   General Studies students 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 their interests. These students should seek frequent assistance from CEIS college advisors and Career Center counselors to support course selection to meet graduation requirements and career goals. Advisors can also help determine appropriate course work and career-ready activities to prepare for graduate schools or careers.
    
2. Pre-Credential subplan is a baccalaureate (bachelor’s) curriculum to become subject matter competent. The coursework covers the content in subject matter areas (arts and humanities, science, math, and human development) to taught in K-6 classrooms. Graduates of this subplan are automatically verified as subject matter competent and do not need to pass the California State Exam for Teachers (CSET) to enter a teaching credential program. 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 to Moderate Support Needs is a blended baccalaureate curriculum in Liberal Studies with a teaching credential in special education in K-21 mild to moderate support needs 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. Students interested in extending their multiple subjects teaching credential can take the Liberal Studies Science Education Minor  to teach science in middle school-a teaching position in high demand. Talk with an academic advisor or the science education minor advisor, Dr. Teresa Lloro, if you are interested in this option.
    
4. Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) in Special Education, Extensive Support Needs is a blended baccalaureate curriculum in Liberal Studies with a teaching credential in special education in K-21 extensive support needs 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 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 all California elementary subject matter requirements. Due to the passage of Assembly Bill 130 into law in 2021, all Liberal Studies subplans currently will allow graduates to enter directly into the elementary teaching credential programs as subject matter competent. Therefore, Liberal Studies graduates do not need to take and pass the multiple subjects California State Exam for Teachers, also known as the multiple subjects CSET. However, changes in the implementation of the law can occur. Therefore, students should contact CEIS academic advisors or the Liberal Studies Office to confirm changes to the requirements for Liberal Studies graduates to enter an elementary teaching credential program.

Admission to a teacher credential program is by a separate application, in the second semester of ITEP students third year or as a post-baccalaureate (after Bachelor’s degree) for Pre-Credential students. Pre-credential 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. 

Changes to elementary teacher credentialing were made with the passage of AB 130 in July 2021. There are three requirements to enter a teaching credential program:

1. Liberal Studies may meet the Basic Skills requirement through their coursework if grades are B- or better. Liberal Studies graduates who do not meet Basic Skills with coursework can take the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or submit approved SAT, ACT, or AP scores. Their (degree major) bachelor’s in Liberal Studies makes them subject matter competent and they would not have to take the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). For complete details on the Basic Skills requirement refer to the CTC webpage; for complete details on the Subject Matter requirement refer to the CTC webpage.
2. They must complete their bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5, and
3. They must verify 45 paid or unpaid (or a combination) hours working with children from K-8, known as early field experience. Some of these hours can be earned through coursework like LS 1020  and LS 4601S .

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. The Liberal Studies advisor at the CEIS Advising Center is:

Mrs. Marlene Melinte

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 or Ambassadors, 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-Coon

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

William Cowan - Professor
Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Gro-Lup

Rodney Hume-Dawson - Lecturer, Email
LS ITEP Faculty Advisor

Teresa Lloro - Associate Professor, Email
Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Lur-Pag

Anthony Pena - Assistant Professor
Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from O-Sar

Jeffrey Roy - Associate Professor, Email
Faculty Advisor to Liberal Studies Students with Last Names from Sas-Uk

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

For career counseling - Visit the Cal Poly Pomona Career Center for help getting career information and making an appointment with a career counselor. General Studies students are highly encouraged to visit the center to gain needed guidance on preparing for your desired career.

For aspiring elementary educators, being career-ready starts with possessing all the content required by the State of California to enter a multiple subjects or special education credential program. The following courses present and assess pre-credential and ITEP candidates’ knowledge for subject matter content - a requirement to enter elementary education teaching credential program. These courses were selected to provide majors with content in the California Domains of the Subject Matter Requirements and assessed by the California Subject Matter Examinations for Teachers (CSET) - Multiple Subjects. Graduating with a Liberal Studies degree eliminates the requirement to pass the multiple subjects CSET.

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

Interdisciplinary General Education

www.cpp.edu/~ige/

Hilary Haakenson, Program Coordinator

The Interdisciplinary General Education program provides an integrated, interdisciplinary, discussion-based approach to learning about the humanities, social sciences, and arts to satisfy some GE requirements. IGE is an alternative pathway to satisfy 18 units of the University GE requirements in areas A, C, and D. Students ready for GE area A2 with support (categories III and IV) need to enroll in the English stretch courses with support for GE area A2 credit and can enroll in either IGE 1100  or IGE 1200  for GE area C2 credit. Students who have fulfilled GE area A2 (category I) can also enroll in IGE 1100  or IGE 1200  for GE area C2 credit.

Students may substitute D1 or C2 for either IGE 2150  or IGE 2250 . Students may substitute two courses to complete the IGE program. Those who choose to leave IGE and complete their remaining general education requirements through other University departments are recommended to do so at the end of a yearly sequence, e.g. after IGE 1200  or IGE 2250 . Students leaving IGE should seek advisement on how to fulfill remaining general education requirements. There is also some flexibility in the program based on the needs of various majors. See your major advisor or the IGE program office for information. Please

The six-course IGE pathway has the following common Learning Outcomes:

• Effective Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Historical, Social, and Multicultural Understanding
• Understanding and Appreciation of Aesthetic Experiences
• Articulation of Values
• Information Literacy
• Integrative Learning

IGE 2600 [F]  and 3000-level IGE Upper Division GE Synthesis courses (except for IGE 3100 ) are open to all CPP students, regardless of whether or not they have taken the previous IGE courses.

Programs

• Liberal Studies, B.A. - General Studies Subplan/Option: 120 units
• Liberal Studies, B.A. - Integrated Teacher Education Program Education Specialist: Extensive Support Needs Subplan/Option: 130 units
• Liberal Studies, B.A. - Integrated Teacher Education Program Education Specialist: Mild to Moderate Support Needs Subplan/Option: 130 units
• Liberal Studies, B.A. - Pre-Credential Subplan/Option: 120 units

• Global Humanities Minor: 21 units
• Science Education Minor: 30 units
• Sustainability Education Minor: 27 units

• Interdisciplinary General Education

• Liberal Studies, B.A. - General Studies Subplan/Option: Roadmap 4-year (120 units)
• Liberal Studies, B.A. - Integrated Teacher Education Program Education Specialist: Extensive Support Needs Subplan/Option: Roadmap 4-year (128 units)
• Liberal Studies, B.A. - Integrated Teacher Education Program Education Specialist: Mild to Moderate Support Needs Subplan/Option: Roadmap 4-year (125 units)
• Liberal Studies, B.A. - Pre-Credential Subplan/Option: Roadmap 4-year (120 units)

• Liberal Studies, B.A. - General Studies Subplan/Option: Roadmap 2-year AA-T with Elementary Teacher Education (60 units)
• Liberal Studies, B.A. - Pre-Credential Subplan/Option: Roadmap 2-year AA-T with Elementary Teacher Education (60 units)

Courses

• IGE 1020 - Engaged Education: Integrating Knowledge, Learning and Success (3) [E]
• IGE 1100 - Who Am I?: Understanding Ourselves, Our Communities, and Our Worlds (3) [C2]
• IGE 1200 - Faith, Passion, and Power: The Saga of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds (3) [A2 or C2]
• IGE 2000 - Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• IGE 2100 - Empires, States, and Peoples: Cultural Contact and Exchange (3) [C1 or C2]
• IGE 2150 - A Sustainable Tomorrow: From Industrialization to Ethical Environmentalism (3) [C2 or D1]
• IGE 2200 - Encountering Difference: Culture and Power (3) [C1 or C2]
• IGE 2250 - The Stranger: Encountering Difference and Creating Coexistence (3) [C2 or D1]
• IGE 2300 - Ways of Doing: Culture, Society, and the Sciences (3) [D1]
• IGE 2350 - Rival Empires: Representation and Resistance (3) [C1]
• IGE 2400 - Ways of Living: Local, Global, and Universal Challenges (3) [D1]
• IGE 2600 - Digital Culture, Race, and Ethnicity (3) [F]
• IGE 2990 - Special Topics for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• IGE 2990A - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Activity (1-3)
• IGE 2990L - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Laboratory (1-3)
• IGE 3100 - Interdisciplinary Perspectives: Capstone Seminar (3) [C3 or D4]
• IGE 3200 - Mad Scientists and Aliens: Science and Technology in Popular Culture (3) [C3]
• IGE 3300 - Demons, the Undead, and the Monstrous Other (3) [C3]
• IGE 3400 - Peoples and Cultures of Central Asia: Life along the Silk Road (3) [D4]
• IGE 3500 - The Creative Process: Innovation and Transformation (3) [C3 or D4]
• IGE 3600 - UFOs, Illuminati, and Other Conspiracy Theories (3) [D4]
• IGE 4000 - Special Study for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• IGE 4990 - Special Topics for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• IGE 4990A - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Activity (1-3)
• IGE 4990L - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Laboratory (1-3)

• LS 1020 - Integrating Knowledge, Learning, and Engagement for Success (3) [E]
• LS 2000 - Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• LS 2011 - Introduction to Liberal Studies: History, Purposes, and Critique of the Liberal Arts and Sciences (3)
• LS 2200 - Sound, Rhythm, and Race (3) [F]
• LS 2230 - Infinite Blackness (3) [F]
• 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 and Sciences (3)
• LS 3021 - Interdisciplinary Humanities (3)
• LS 3031 - The Social Sciences and the Liberal Arts (3)
• LS 3041 - Science, Society, & You (3)
• LS 3042S - Equity Issues in K-9 Environmental and Science Education Service Learning (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 in Action (3)
• LS 4601S - Liberal Studies Synthesis Interdisciplinary Perspective on Contemporary Public Education (3)
• LS 4611 - Liberal Studies Senior Capstone (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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