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![]() Course CatalogCampus Undergraduate ProgramLiberal StudiesThe Liberal Studies Department is designed for self-directed learners interested in the liberal arts and social sciences. Since this department is interdisciplinary, so too are the programs of study. Students have a choice between following one of the concentrations writing, literature, religion studies, philosophy, or pre-law, outlined below or creating an individualized concentration. We encourage students to incorporate courses from other departments into their program. In all of these, students work with their academic advisor to plan courses, directed studies, internships, and projects that reflect the student's personal and professional goals. All academic plans culminate in a senior project, which demonstrates the student's learning, initiative, and interests. A Liberal Studies degree can be excellent preparation for graduate school, law school, and teaching credential programs. Upon graduating with a degree in Liberal Studies, a student should demonstrate:
Bachelor Of Arts Degree Major
Note: Complete details available under Degree Requirements. table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" width="85%" align="center">Major Requirements |
Credit Hours |
LS |
201 |
Liberal Studies Seminar I: Ways of Knowing (Sophomore Seminar) |
4 |
LS |
202 |
Liberal Studies Seminar II: Introduction to Humanities |
4 |
LS |
203 |
Liberal Studies Seminar III: Introduction to Social Sciences |
4 |
Directed Studies and Focused Elective Coursework (Advisor/Student Designed)* |
28 |
LS |
385 |
Junior Practicum |
3 |
LS |
499 |
Senior Project |
12 |
Total |
55 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* These two requirements must total 28 credits. Directed Studies minimum = 8 credits, maximum = 16 credits; Focused Elective Course Work minimum = 12 credits. At least four credits of directed study and 12 credits of focused elective coursework must be completed at the 300-400 level.
Statement of Purpose: The literature concentration is meant to help students pursue their own paths of knowledge through the exploration of great literature. Students will develop reflective selfknowledge, creative expression and activism. This concentration will also help students prepare for graduate work in the humanities.
| Required Courses | Credit Hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LS | 201 | Ways of Knowing | 4 |
| LS | 202 | Intro to Humanities | 4 |
| LS | 203 | Intro to Social Sciences | 4 |
| LL | 206 | Intro to Literature and Language | 8 |
| LL | 406 | Adv. Topics in Literature and Language | 12 |
| Courses within the above menu offerings | 20 | ||
| LS | 180, 280 | Directed Studies | 4 |
| LS | 380, 480 | Directed Studies | 4 |
| LS | 385 | Junior Practicum | 3 |
| LS | 499 | Senior Project | 12 |
| Total | 55 | ||
| Suggested Courses | |||
| GS | 133 | Critical Thinking | |
| LL | 201/301 | Creative Writing | |
| LL | 406 | Rhetoric | |
| Second semester language | |||
Statement of Purpose: The philosophy concentration allows students the opportunity to create a systematic program of study in how and why we think about things the way we do. Pragmatically, it also increases one's critical and analytical abilities. Directed studies, the practicum, and senior project offer students options of either breadth or depth in particular fields of philosophy.
| Required Courses | Credit Hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LS | 201 | Ways of Knowing | 4 |
| LS | 202 | Intro to Humanities | 4 |
| LS | 203 | Intro to Social Sciences | 4 |
| PH | 203 | Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| or | |||
| GS | 133 | Critical Thinking | |
| PH | 202 | Introduction to Ethics | 4 |
| Menu Offerings: | |||
| PH | 201 | Introductory Topics in Philosophy | 4 |
| PH | 204 | Philosophy Of Science | 4 |
| PH | 301 | Advanced Topics in Philosophy, | |
| or | |||
| PH | 304 | Adv. Studies in Philosophy of Science | 4 |
| Total from these three | 12 | ||
| LS | 180, 280 | Directed Studies | 4 |
| LS | 380, 480 | Directed Studies | 4 |
| LS | 385 | Junior Practicum | 3 |
| LS | 499 | Senior Project | 12 |
| Total | 55 | ||
| Suggested Courses | |||
| HI | 201 | World History I | |
| RS | 301 | Advanced Topics in Religious Studies | |
| SS | 105 | Intro to Anthropology, Sociology | |
| LL | 406 | Rhetoric | |
Statement of Purpose: No specific undergraduate major is required for admission to law schools, but students considering this profession, or who want a rigorous and interdisciplinary curriculum, may find a prelaw concentration attractive. The combination of GUR courses and these listed below meet the recommendations of the American Bar Association's "Preparation for Legal Education."
| Required Courses | Credit Hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LS | 201 | Ways of Knowing | 4 |
| LS | 202 | Intro to Humanities | 4 |
| LS | 203 | Intro to Social Sciences | 4 |
| GS | 133 | Critical Thinking | 4 |
| PH | 202 | Introduction to Ethics | 4 |
| Menu Offerings: | |||
| HI | 201 | U.S. Government | 4 |
| HI | 301 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| LL | 406 | Rhetoric | 4 |
| LS | 180, 280 | Directed Studies | 4 |
| LS | 380, 480 | Directed Studies | 4 |
| LS | 385 | Junior Practicum | 3 |
| LS | 499 | Senior Project | 12 |
| Total | 55 | ||
| Recommended Courses | |||
| BA | 216 | Survey of Economics | |
| BA | 361 | Law, Ethics, and Citizenship | |
| SS | 105 | Intro to Anthropology, Sociology | |
| PY | 150 | Intro to Psychology | |
| HI | 201 | World History I, II | |
Statement of Purpose: Religion is one of the major forces that shapes human culture, commitments and behavior. A Religious Studies Concentration allows Liberal Studies Majors to focus their studies in the humanities, social sciences, and cultural studies, to develop critical and analytical skills, as well as to gain and demonstrate an understanding of the methods and materials used in the academic study of Religion. The concentration offers a broad background for graduate studies in religion, ministry, history, as well as international studies or programs in the allied fields. It is designed to integrate several fields of studies while learning about religious communities, religious texts, theological discourse and spirituality. It is also possible to develop a special emphasis within the concentration such as Biblical Studies, the Philosophy of Religion, or Catholic Studies.
| Required Courses | Credit Hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LS | 201 | Ways of Knowing | 4 |
| LS | 202 | Intro to Humanities | 4 |
| LS | 203 | Intro to Social Sciences | 4 |
| Menu Offerings: | |||
| PH | 201 | Philosophy Topic | 4 |
| Choice of: | 4 | ||
| RS | 201 | World Religions, or | |
| RS | 202 | Foundations of Religion | |
| Choice of: | 4 | ||
| RS | 301 | Advanced Studies in Religion, or | |
| RS | 303 | Adv. Topics in Biblical Studies, or | |
| RS | 305 | Adv. Topics in Catholic Studies | |
| Total | 12 | ||
| LS | 180, 280 | Directed Studies | 4 |
| LS | 380, 480 | Directed Studies | 4 |
| LS | 385 | Junior Practicum | 3 |
| LS | 499 | Senior Project | 12 |
| Total | 55 | ||
| Suggested Courses | |||
| HI | 201 | World History I. II | |
| PH | 202 | Intro to Ethics | |
| SS | 105 | Intro to Anthropology, Sociology | |
Statement of Purpose: Writing well, whether for personal satisfaction or professional purposes, is a fundamental ability. This concentration offers students a liberal education in writing theory and practice. Students will be well prepared for career opportunities and for graduate studies in literature, rhetoric, linguistics, and creative writing programs.
| Required Courses | Credit Hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LS | 201 | Ways of Knowing | 4 |
| LS | 202 | Intro to Humanities | 4 |
| LS | 203 | Intro to Social Sciences | 4 |
| Menu Offerings: | |||
| LL | 202 | Intro to Creative Writing | 4 |
| LL | 203 | Business and Technical Writing | 4 |
| LL | 206 | Intro to Literature and Language | 4 |
| CO | 204 | Print Journalism | 4 |
| CO | 304 | Advanced Print Journalism | 4 |
| LL | 302 | Advanced Creative Writing | 4 |
| LL | 406 | Advanced Studies in Literature and Language | 4 |
| Minimum 20 credits from the above At least 12 upper division |
20 | ||
| LS | 180, 280 | Directed Studies | 4 |
| LS | 380, 480 | Directed Studies | 4 |
| LS | 385 | Junior Practicum | 3 |
| LS | 499 | Senior Project | 12 |
| Total | 55 | ||
| Suggested Courses | |||
| GS | 133 | Critical Thinking | |
| LL | 406 | Rhetoric | |
| Second semester language | |||
A minor in Liberal Studies provides students with an opportunity to participate in lively and open discussion of current philosophical, social, and aesthetic issues, to pursue personal interests (including fiction writing, photography, and theater) not addressed in more structured programs of study, and enhance those skills (such as oral and written communication) which employers identify as desirable in prospective employees, and essential for increased mobility in organizations.
Because the minor in Liberal Studies gives wide latitude to students in choosing their coursework, students need to meet with an advisor in the Liberal Studies Department to set up the course of study. This plan should be completed before beginning the senior year.
The minor will consist of a total of 20 hours of course work, excluding those Liberal Studies courses that are counted toward General University Requirements or first year language credits.
| Required Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts courses (may include 4 credits of directed study) |
16 |
| Liberal Studies Seminar (choose from LS 201, 202, or 203) |
4 |
| Total | 20 |