Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2011-2012 > Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts > Liberal Studies

Liberal Studies

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Director

Bernadette Musetti

Objectives

The Liberal Studies program enables the student to meet the teacher preparation standards mandated by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The Liberal Studies program curriculum likewise serves the Loyola Marymount University mission.

Liberal Studies Student Learning Outcomes

The Liberal Studies program student will master the content required of professional educators in the State of California, to include:

Key concepts in the following academic fields: the social sciences and history, the arts and humanities, language studies, mathematics and science, health, physical education, human development, and in an approved academic concentration of the candidate’s choice
Candidates will demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter by successfully passing the CSET (California Subject Examination for Teachers) at the completion of their coursework;

The Liberal Studies program student will master the skills required of professional educators in the State of California:

To synthesize subject content in the liberal arts, professional content related to classroom teaching, and educational policies
To apply reading, writing, and research skills appropriate to the work of the academic disciplines being studied
To apply academic concepts to practical teaching contexts
To analyze, reflect on, and evaluate the relationships among academic theories, the practical and applied contexts of teaching, and the multiple and complex needs of students comprising a rich and diverse globe
Candidates will demonstrate the ability to synthesize and the other skills listed above in an exit interview conducted by the Director of Liberal Studies at the completion of required coursework;

The Liberal Studies program student will value:

Intellectual inquiry across a range of subjects
A world view comprising faith, social justice, and a respect for diversity
The individual’s role as a future educator who will shape the lives of children, local communities, and larger national and global societies.

There are five components to the Liberal Studies major:

I. University Core Curriculum

50 Semester Hours

Because the subject-matter requirements set by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing are very specific, many of the core requirements for Liberal Studies majors are specified and may differ from those of other majors within the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts. These core requirements are as follows:

College Writing (3 semester hours): ENGL 110;
Communication or Critical Thinking (3 semester hours): choice of one of the following: CMST 100, 110, 140, or 206;
History (6 semester hours): HIST 300 and 301;
Social Sciences (6 semester hours): PSYC 100 and choice of one of the following: AFAM 115, APAM 117, or CHST 116;
American Cultures (3 semester hours): HIST 161 (fulfills the U.S. Constitution requirement for credential candidates);
Literature (3 semester hours): choice of one of the following drama-based courses: CLCV 210, 220; ENGL 150, 170; THEA 240, 245;
Mathematics (see major requirements)
Science and Technology (8 semester hours): NTLS 270 and 271 (4 semester hours each);
Fine Arts Critical (3 semester hours): MUSC 104;
Fine Arts Creative (3 semester hours): ART 250;
Philosophy (6 semester hours): PHIL 160 and one course from PHIL 320-330;
Theological Studies (6 semester hours): one course from the THST 100-level series and one course from the 300-level series.

II. Liberal Studies Major Requirements

24 Semester Hours

DANC 384: Creative Dance for Children (3 semester hours)

DANC 385: Movement Arts for Children (3 semester hours)

ENGL 305: Advanced Composition for Credential Candidates (3 semester hours)

ENGL 346: Children’s Literature (3 semester hours)

HIST 366: History of California (3 semester hours)

MATH 106, 107: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I, II (6 semester hours) Liberal Studies majors must either pass out of or take MATH 101 as a prerequisite to MATH 106, 107.

PSYC 352: Developmental Psychology (3 semester hours)

III. Education Program Requirements

21 Semester Hours

EDLC 400: Sociocultural Analysis of Education (3 semester hours)

EDES 401: Educational Psychology for the Childhood and Adolescent Years (3 semester hours)

EDES 409: Reading and Language Arts in the Elementary Curriculum (3 semester hours)*

EDLC 414: Theories of Second Language Acquisition (3 semester hours)

EDLC 425: Methods in English Language Development/Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (3 semester hours)*

EDES 434: Elementary Curriculum and Methods (3 semester hours)*

EDSS 440: Introduction to the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Student with Exceptional Needs (3 semester hours)

EDES 8000: Health Education in the Schools (0 semester hours)

* Starred courses require a separate application to and acceptance into the Elementary Education program or the Mild/Moderate Specialist Credential program. Acceptance into either of these programs requires an LMU cumulative GPA of 2.8. See the Director of Liberal Studies for other application requirements.

IV. Concentration

12-18 Semester Hours

In addition to the above requirements, all Liberal Studies majors complete coursework in a chosen area of concentration which represents a subject area generally taught in elementary schools or a closely related area of study. With careful planning the concentration can constitute most, if not all, of an LMU minor. See the Director of Liberal Studies for qualifying concentrations and their specific requirements.

V. Electives

Students complete elective coursework in order to fultill the remaining course hours required for the degree in Liberal Studies. Liberal Studies majors who are also pursuing the multiple subjects teaching credential complete 9 semester hours of EDCE 410 (Directed Teaching), which are applied toward both the semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree and the requirements for California state credentialing. Liberal Studies majors who decide not to pursue a teaching credential may satisfy the remaining course hours with any elective coursework.