Liberal Studies, B.A.: Liberal Arts Concentration

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Liberal Studies, B.A. Program (120 units)

Program Description

The Liberal Studies Major aims to provide a rich liberal art educational experience through selected courses from a wide range of academic disciplines, while at the same time allowing students to select a field for in-depth study of their own interest. The broad-based, interdisciplinary nature of Liberal Studies provides a solid well-rounded undergraduate educational experience, integrating knowledge from arts and humanities, social science, and natural sciences, with analytical and communication skills well suited for many careers and professions.

The major consists of a common core and a choice from seven concentrations, designed to meet diverse student interests and needs not only for school teaching, but also for leadership in government, non-profit organizations, and business, and for graduate education in law, counseling, social work and services, public affairs and administration, and educational leadership.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.A. in Liberal Studies from Cal State East Bay will be able to:

demonstrate solid understanding of major contemporary global issues about individuals, society, and nature, by integrating interdisciplinary knowledge of humanity, social science, and natural science, with more in depth understanding of one specialized subject area or discipline;
apply methods of different disciplines to critically thinking about these issues;
communicate ideas clearly and persuasively in speech and writing;
work with others in teams collaboratively and productively, showing sensitivity and respect for others, and readiness to learn from others;
demonstrate commitment to promoting social justice, diversity, democratic values, and sustainable environment.

Career Opportunities

Administrator • Business Executive • Customer Service Representative • Educational Leadership • Foreign Service Officer • Human Resources Administrator • Journalist • Lawyer • Manager • Nonprofit and Social Advocacy Organizations • Personnel Representative • Salesperson • Social and Human Services • Teacher (K-6, Pre-K, Early Childhood, Special Education) • Writer

Degree Requirements Unit-Outline

A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The major requirements consists of 71-80 units
- General Education & Graduation Requirements consists of 57 units ;
- Free Electives may consist of 0 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).

Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.

Liberal Studies Major Requirements (71-80 units)

Core Requirements

Liberal Studies majors must complete the following 48-49 units of core coursework as outlined. Please note that the core requirements also satisfy the upper-division GE requirements in areas C4, D4, and B6.

Liberal Studies Courses

Students must take both of the following courses (6 units):
LBST 201 - Introduction to Liberal Studies Units: 3
LBST 499 - Liberal Studies Senior Seminar Units: 3
Humanities Courses

Students must take all of the following courses (10 units):
ART 120 - Monuments of World Art Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C1
ENGL 204 - Writing About Literature Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C2
HIST 101 - World History I Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C2
English, Math, and Expressive Basic Skills Courses

Students must take all of the following courses (10 units):
ENGL 303 - Advanced Expository Writing Units: 4
MATH 318 - Mathematical Contributions to Modern Society Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: B6
THEA 341 - Dramatic Activities for Children Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4
Students must take one (1) of the following courses (4 units):
ENGL 309 - Major Works of British Literature Units: 4
ENGL 320 - Major Works of American Literature Units: 4
Social Science, Natural Science, and Critical Thinking Integration Courses

Students must take all of the following courses (9 units):
ANTH 300 - Anthropology of Global Change Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: D4
ENSC 320 - The Science of Global Change Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: B6; Sustainability
PHIL 311 - Environmental Ethics Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4; Sustainability
Students must take one (1) of the following courses (3-4 units):
CHEM 100 - Introduction to College Chemistry Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: B1, B3
GEOL 100 - Earth Systems Science Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: B1, B3; Sustainability
PHYS 115 - Elementary Physics Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: B1, B3
Human Development and Social Context Courses

Students must take both of the following courses (6 units):
HDEV 381 - Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Lifespan Human Development Units: 3
HIST 382 - California and the World Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: D4; US-3

Concentrations

Liberal Studies majors must complete one (1) of the seven available concentrations in addition to the core requirements:

Liberal Arts Concentration

The Liberal Arts concentration is 25-26 units. Students must complete the following coursework as outlined below:

Students must take one (1) of the following two courses for 3-4 units:
ANTH 110 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: B2
BIOL 100 - Biology in the Real World Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: B2, B3
Students must take one (1) of the following courses for 4 units:
ENGL 321 - American Indian Literature Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4
ENGL 322 - African-American Literature Before 1945 Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4; Social Justice
ENGL 323 - African-American Literature After 1945 Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4; Diversity
ENGL 324 - American Women’s Literature Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4; Social Justice
ENGL 328 - Latina/o Literature Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4
ENGL 327 - LGBT Literature and Queer Theory Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4; Social Justice
ENGL 330 - Classical Literature Units: 4
ENGL 331 - Global World Literature: Antiquity to the Early Modern World Units: 4
Students must take the following course for 3 units:
HIST 389 - Social Justice and Reform Movements in America Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: D4; Social Justice

Depth of Study Coursework

Students must complete either A or B for a minimum of 15 units:

Depth of Study A.

Students may create a special depth of study with the help of an advisor. All fifteen (15) units must be unique and cannot be used to satisfy any other components of the Liberal Studies major. At least twelve (12) units must be upper-division. GS courses may not be used for this requirement.

Depth of Study B.

Select any Minor offered by any department or program in the CSUEB catalog. At least fifteen (15) units in the minor must be unique and cannot be used to satisfy any other components of the Liberal Studies major.

Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate requirements for graduation, which are described in the Requirements, Exams & Testing chapter of this catalog.

Department Courses Listed by Course Type

Liberal Studies Courses

Liberal Studies Program

Go to information for this department.

Courses

Liberal Studies

• LBST 201 - Introduction to Liberal Studies Units: 3
• LBST 499 - Liberal Studies Senior Seminar Units: 3