The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor or view it and other current advising information on the CSU, Chico Web.

General Education Requirements: 48 units

The General Education requirements for the Liberal Studies major are unique. By completing the Liberal Studies major, students also satisfy General Education requirements. Partial completion of the major may not satisfy completion of these requirements. Courses required for the major that are marked below with an asterisk (*) may be applied toward General Education by students changing to another major program.

Cultural Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See "Cultural Diversity" in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.

For Liberal Studies majors in the General pattern, these requirements are met by successfully completing SOSC 302 and SOSC 303 or ASST 200. For students in the Bilingual/Cross-Cultural pattern, these requirements are met by successfully completing CHST 358 or SOCI 358 and SOSC 303 or ASST 200.

American Institutions Requirement: 6 units

See the "American Institutions Requirement" in the University Catalog. Liberal Studies majors must take HIST 130 and POLS 155.

Literacy Requirement:

See "Mathematics and Writing Requirements" in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or better to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 105-114 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option or advising pattern, are outlined following the degree core program requirements.

General (pre-credential) Pattern: 105-108 units

General Online (pre-credential) Pattern: 105-108 units

Bilingual/Cross-Cultural Pattern: 111-114 units

Liberal Arts (non-credential) Pattern: 106-109 units

Integrated Teacher CORE (Blended Program): 132 units

See Program Director for specialized Major Academic Plan.

Major Core Program: 76 units

The core is required for all patterns.

Lower-Division Requirements: 42 units

1 course selected from:

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology 3.0 FS *
BIOL 108 Principles of Biology 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school biology and chemistry.

8 courses required:

ENGL 130 Academic Writing 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: English Placement Test.
GEOS 141 Concepts in Physical Science 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of MATH 110.
HIST 130 United States History 3.0 FS
HUMN 100 Introduction to Humanities 3.0 FS
MATH 110 Concept/Structure of Math 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
MATH 111 Concept/Structure of Math 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement, one year of high school geometry.
PHIL 102 Logic and Critical Thinking 3.0 FS *
POLS 155 Amer Gov: National/State/Local 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

CMST 131 Speech Comm Fundamentals 3.0 FS *
CMST 132 Small Group Communication 3.0 FS *

2 courses selected from:

HIST 101 Ancient Civilizations 3.0 FS
HIST 102 Medieval & Early Modern Civ 3.0 FS
SPAN 301 Grammar and Composition 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: SPAN 202 or equivalent. May be taken concurrently with SPAN 321 and/or SPAN 303.

Note: Students in the Bilingual/Cross-cultural Pattern take either HIST 101 or HIST 102; SPAN 301 is required as the second course.

1 course selected from:

PSYC 151 Socio-Cultural Psy Development 3.0 FS *
RELS 358 Rel in Amer Public Schools 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

THEA 111 Literature in Performance 3.0 FS *
THEA 112 Acting for Non-Majors 3.0 FS *
THEA 311 Children's Lit in Performance 3.0 FS

Upper-Division Requirements: 34 units

9 courses required:

BIOL 342 Field Biology 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or BIOL 108.
ENGL 333 Adv. Comp. for Future Teachers 3.0 FS WP
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; ENGL 375 recommended.
ENGL 341 Reading Lit for Future Tchrs 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ENGL 333 strongly recommended.
ENGL 371 Principles of Language 3.0 FS *
GEOS 342 Concepts in Earth/Space Sci 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: GEOS 141 or faculty permission.
KINE 302 Found Childhood Phys Educ 3.0 FS
MATH 310 Patterns & Structures in Math 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 110, MATH 111.
NSCI 489A Internship in Science Teaching 1.0 FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 101, GEOS 141, or faculty permission.
SOSC 301 Spatial Concepts 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

CHST 358 Chicanos Contemporary Society 3.0 FA Eth

This course is also offered as SOCI 358.

SOSC 302 Temporal Concepts 3.0 FS * Eth

Note: Students in Bilingual/Cross-cultural Pattern take CHST 358 instead of SOSC 302.

1 course selected from:

ASST 200 Cultures of Asia 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as ANTH 200.

SOSC 303 Cultural Concepts 3.0 FS NW

1 course selected from:

ARTS 493 Art Education I (K-8) 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing or faculty permission.
MUSC 326 Music for Children 3.0 FS

Advising Pattern Course Requirements: 29-38 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required depending upon the advising pattern chosen. Students must select one of the following advising patterns for completion of the major course requirements.

General (Pre-Credential) Pattern: 29-32 units

Note: Subject preparation requirements are governed by legislative action and approval of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Requirements may change between catalogs. Please consult with your Liberal Studies advisor for current information.

Select one of the following areas of concentration for 12-15 units, and the Professional Prerequisites for 17 units.

Areas of Concentration: 12-15 units

If a course is not offered in a given semester, please consult a Liberal Studies advisor.

You may take any academic minor in place of an area of concentration.

Art: 12-15 units

3 courses required:

ARTS 100 Art Appreciation 3.0 FS *
ARTS 125 Basic Drawing 3.0 FS
ARTS 493 Art Education I (K-8) 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing or faculty permission.

ARTS 493 is required if MUSC 326 was selected as a core course.

1 course selected from:

ARTS 123 Design 3.0 FS
ARTS 260 Introduction to Ceramics 3.0 FS
ARTS 270 Introduction to Sculpture 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

ARTS 227 Introduction to Painting 3.0 FS
ARTS 230 Introduction to Printmaking 3.0 FS
ARTS 240 Intro to Fine Art Photography 3.0 FS
ARTS 250 Intro to Electronic Arts 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ARTS 122, ARTS 125, or faculty permission.

Child Development: 12 units

1 course selected from:

CHLD 250 Child Development 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Registration in CHLD 251 for Child Development majors and minors.
CHLD 252 Child Development 3.0 FS *

Note: CHLD 250 or CHLD 252 must be taken before CHLD 350 or CHLD 354 or CHLD 357.

1 course selected from:

CHLD 350 Prenatal-Infant Development 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: CHLD 250 or CHLD 252 or PSYC 355.
CHLD 354 School-Aged Child 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: CHLD 250 or CHLD 252 or PSYC 355.
CHLD 357 Adolescent Development 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: CHLD 250 or CHLD 252 or PSYC 355.

1 course selected from:

CHLD 355 Children, Families, Soc Policy 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: CHLD 250 or CHLD 252 or CHLD 255 or PSYC 355.
CHLD 551 Staff and Family Relations 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: CHLD 250, CHLD 251, senior standing.
SWRK 320 Child Welfare 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

PSYC 457 Psy of Exceptional Child 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Recommended: PSYC 355 or equivalent (may be taken concurrently).
SPED 343 Overview of Special Education 3.0 FS

Cross Cultural and Language Studies: 12 units

3 courses required:

ANTH 304 Language and Culture 3.0 FS
BLMC 536 Intro to Multicultural Educ 3.0 FS
RDGL 557 Literature for a M/C World 3.0 FA

1 course selected from:

ENGL 372 Pedagogical Grammar 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ENGL 371.
ENGL 375 Introduction to Engl Grammar 3.0 FS
RDGL 557 Literature for a M/C World 3.0 FA

English: 12 units

1 course required:

ENGL 220 Beginning Creative Writing 4.0 FS *

1 course selected from:

ENGL 335 Rhetoric and Writing 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ENGL 130.
ENGL 372 Pedagogical Grammar 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ENGL 371.
ENGL 375 Introduction to Engl Grammar 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

ENGL 356 Survey of British Literature 3.0 FS
ENGL 357 Survey of British Literature 3.0 FS
ENGL 358 Survey of American Literature 3.0 FS
ENGL 359 Survey of American Literature 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

ENGL 251 African-American Literature 3.0 FA * Eth

This course is also offered as AFAM 251.

ENGL 252 American Indian Literature 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AIST 252.

ENGL 253 Asian American Literature 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AAST 253.

ENGL 254 Chicano/Latino/a Literature 3.0 FS * Eth
ENGL 353 Multicultural Literature 3.0 FS * Eth
ENGL 467 Teaching Multicultural Lit 3.0 FS

Environmental Studies: 12 units

2 courses required:

GEOG 304 Environmental Issues 3.0 FS *
GEOS 330 Environmental Science 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1 and one course from Breadth Area B2 of the General Education requirements.

2 courses selected from:

BIOL 334 Conservation Ecology 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or equivalent.
ECON 365 Environmental Economics 3.0 FS
GEOS 370 Energy in the Human Environ 3.0 SP *
Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1.
HCSV 362 Environmental Health 3.0 FS
PHIL 329 Environmental Ethics 3.0 FS *
PSSC 390 Food Forever 3.0 FS * NW
RECR 448 Mthds/Materials for Environ Ed 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 342 or GEOS 130 or equivalent or faculty permission.

This course is also offered as EDCI 448.

RELS 347 Cross-Cultural Environ Ethics 3.0 FS *
SOCI 420 Environmental Sociology 3.0 Inq

Note: You may take PHIL 329 or RELS 347, but not both.

Health Science Studies: 12 units

4 courses required:

HCSV 265 Human Sexuality 3.0 FS *
HCSV 370 Drugs in Our Society 3.0 FS *
HCSV 462 School Health Programs 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: HCSV 369 recommended.
NFSC 303 Nutrition/Physical Fitness 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: One lower-division course in biological sciences.

Humanities: 12 units

1 course selected from:

HUMN 220 Arts and Ideas: Ancient 3.0 FS
HUMN 221 Arts and Ideas: Middle Period 3.0 FS
HUMN 222 Arts and Ideas: Modern 3.0 FS
RELS 100 Judaism, Christianity, Islam 3.0 FS *
RELS 110 Asian Religions 3.0 FS * NW

1 course selected from:

ENGL 258 World Literature 3.0 FS * NW
ENGL 260 Great Books 3.0 FS *
ENGL 355 Bible as Literature 3.0 Inq
RELS 107 Bible Controversies 3.0 FS *

1 course selected from:

PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy 3.0 FS *
PHIL 104 Personal Values 3.0 FS *

Life Science: 12 units

1 course required:

BIOL 302 Evolution 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or BIOL 108 or equivalent.

3 courses selected from:

BIOL 105 Food, Fiber, and Drugs 3.0 FS
BIOL 303 Human Genetics 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course.
BIOL 318 Biology of Childhood 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course.
BIOL 334 Conservation Ecology 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or equivalent.
BIOL 345 Biology of Cancer 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or BIOL 108.

Literature: 12 units

1 course required:

ENGL 353 Multicultural Literature 3.0 FS * Eth

1 course selected from:

ENGL 356 Survey of British Literature 3.0 FS
ENGL 357 Survey of British Literature 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

ENGL 358 Survey of American Literature 3.0 FS
ENGL 359 Survey of American Literature 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

ENGL 451 Modern Poetry 3.0 FS
ENGL 453 Modern Drama 3.0 FS
ENGL 461 Modern Novel 3.0 FS

Mathematics: 12-14 units

2 courses required:

MATH 105 Statistics 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
MATH 311 Intuitive Foundations Geometry 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 110, MATH 111.

2 courses selected from:

MATH 101 Patterns Mathematical Thought 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
MATH 107 Finite Math for Business 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
MATH 109 Survey of Calculus 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement. This course is not intended for majors in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or engineering.
MATH 118 Trigonometry 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
MATH 119 Precalculus Mathematics 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement, and either 1/2 year of high school trigonometry or MATH 118.
MATH 120 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; both MATH 118 and MATH 119 (or high school equivalent); a score that meets department guidelines on a department administered calculus readiness exam.
MATH 121 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 120.

Multicultural Issues: 12 units

1 course selected from:

MCGS 155 Intro Multicultural/Gender Std 3.0 FS * Eth
MCGS 350 Ethnic and Race Relations 3.0 Inq * Eth

This course is also offered as SOCI 350.

2 courses selected from:

Select two courses from the same cultural group.

African American Studies

AFAM 170 Intro African American Studies 3.0 FS * Eth
AFAM 251 African-American Literature 3.0 FA * Eth

This course is also offered as ENGL 251.

AFAM 455 Sociology of African Americans 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: AFAM 170 or SOCI 100.

This course is also offered as SOCI 455.

American Indian Studies

AIST 170 Intro to Amer Indian Studies 3.0 FS * Eth
AIST 230 The American Indian 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as HIST 230.

AIST 252 American Indian Literature 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as ENGL 252.

AIST 325 Worldviews of American Indians 3.0 Inq Eth

This course is also offered as RELS 325.

Asian American Studies

AAST 152 Intro Asian American Exper 3.0 Inq * Eth

This course is also offered as SOCI 152.

AAST 253 Asian American Literature 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as ENGL 253.

AAST 351 Asian American Communities 3.0 Inq

This course is also offered as SOCI 351.

AAST 380 SE Asian Amer: Cult in Trans 3.0 Inq Eth

Chicano Studies

CHST 135 Mexican Heritage in U.S. 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as HIST 135.

CHST 157 Intro to Chicano Studies 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as SOCI 157.

CHST 358 Chicanos Contemporary Society 3.0 FA Eth

This course is also offered as SOCI 358.

CHST 459 Chicanos/Latinos: Cross-Cult 3.0 Inq
Prerequisites: CHST 157 or SOCI 100.

This course is also offered as SOCI 459.

1 course required:

BLMC 536 Intro to Multicultural Educ 3.0 FS

Note: BLMC 536 must be taken last, after completion of above courses.

Music: 12-15 units

3 courses required:

MUSC 291 American Music 3.0 FS *
MUSC 292 Maj Mus Fig in West Civ 3.0 FS
MUSC 326 Music for Children 3.0 FS

MUSC 326 is required if ARTS 493 was selected as a core course.

2 courses selected from:

MUSC 190 Introduction to World of Music 3.0 FS * NW
MUSC 293 History of Jazz 3.0 SP
MUSC 294 History of Rock Music 3.0 FA
MUSC 296 African American Music 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AFAM 296.

Each of the following four course have a prerequisite of MUSC 326 or faculty permission.

MUSC 327 Music for Early Childhood 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: MUSC 326, faculty permission.
MUSC 328 Music in Recreation 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: MUSC 326, faculty permission.
MUSC 329 Music for Special Education 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: MUSC 326, faculty permission.
MUSC 472 Music & Movement for Children 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

Physical Education: 12 units

4 courses required:

KINE 308 Dance/Rhythms/ Educ Gymnastics 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
KINE 315 Intro to Adapted Phys Act 3.0 FS
KINE 321 Motor Development & Behavior 3.0 FS
KINE 410 Develop Approp PE-Middle Sch 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: KINE 305, KINE 309.

Science: 12 units

1 course required:

CHEM 100 Chemistry and Current Issues 3.0 FS *

1 course selected from:

PHYS 100 Concepts in Physics 3.0 FS *
PHYS 320 Concepts in Modern Physics 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: Completion of lower-division Area B General Education.
PHYS 376 Nuclear Science 3.0 FS *

1 course selected from:

BIOL 302 Evolution 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or BIOL 108 or equivalent.
BIOL 303 Human Genetics 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course.

1 course selected from:

GEOS 340 Environmental Geology 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1 and one course from Breadth Area B2 of General Education requirements.
GEOS 370 Energy in the Human Environ 3.0 SP *
Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1.

Social Science: 12 units

2 courses required:

GEOG 435 Historical Geog of North Amer 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course is also offered as AMST 435.

HIST 103 The Modern World 3.0 FS *

1 course selected from:

HIST 230 The American Indian 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AIST 230.

HIST 231 African American History 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AFAM 231.

HIST 332 American Ethnic Origins 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as MCGS 332.

1 course selected from:

HIST 445 History of California 3.0 FS
POLS 402 State Government 3.0 FS

Southeast Asian-American Cultures: 15 units

4 courses required:

AAST 152 Intro Asian American Exper 3.0 Inq * Eth

This course is also offered as SOCI 152.

AAST 370 Asian Immigrtn: Wrld Perspec 3.0 Inq Eth
AAST 380 SE Asian Amer: Cult in Trans 3.0 Inq Eth
ASST 200 Cultures of Asia 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as ANTH 200.

1 course selected from:

AAST 351 Asian American Communities 3.0 Inq

This course is also offered as SOCI 351.

HIST 379 SE Asian History/Culture 3.0 SP

Credential Program Prerequisites: 17 units

5 courses required:

EDTE 302 Access & Equity in Education 3.0 FS
ENGL 470 Second Language Acquisition 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ENGL 371.
HCSV 450 Hlth Ed for Elem School Tchrs 3.0 FS
PSYC 355 Child/Adolescent Psychology 3.0 FS
PSYC 414 Psychology of Teaching 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: PSYC 355, faculty permission.

In addition to the above course work, 45 hours of classroom experience linked to content course work are required to complete the major. These hours may also be met through EDTE 255 or EDCI 110. Read below for the requirement of specific credential programs.

Introductory School Experience and Other Requirements

Students who plan to enter the Bilingual, Tri-Placement or Special Education Concurrent Program must complete a 45-hour public school experience linked to content course work or take EDTE 255 or EDCI 100. They also must take SPED 343 and EDTE 440 or SPED 569. Students who plan to enter all other Multiple Subject Programs meet the Introductory School Experience requirement by taking EDTE 255. They also must take EDUC 301 and EDTE 520.

General Online (Pre-Credential) Pattern: 29-32 units

Students who select this pattern do not live in Chico and are not able to physically be on campus. The equivalents of all lower-division course work and the equivalents of GEOS 342, MATH 310, BIOL 342, ENGL 470, and ARTS 493 or MUSC 326 are taken at a community college or other four-year institution. The online Area of Concentration is Environmental Studies, but the equivalent of other Areas of Concentration may be completed at another institution. All of the upper-division course work, as well as most credential program prerequisites, are offered online. Since students in this pattern may not be applying to a credential program at CSU, Chico, they are encouraged to check on the prerequisites of the credential program of their choice.

Bilingual/Cross-Cultural Pattern (Pre-Credential): 35-38 units

Select the foll