Liberal Studies

Option I: Multiple Subject Teaching Emphasis
Option II: Liberal Arts Emphasis

Option I: Multiple Subject Teaching Emphasis

Option I in Liberal Studies at HNU has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) as a program that prepares students to meet the subject matter requirements for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Liberal Studies majors who have elementary school teaching as their ultimate goal must demonstrate their subject matter competence in each of ten areas: language, literature, mathematics, science, social science, history, humanities, the arts, physical education, and human development. Majors must also complete a concentration in one area commonly taught in the elementary school curriculum.

As part of HNU’s emphasis on the applied liberal arts, the Liberal Studies program provides links and connections between subject matter competence and professional preparation. Two seminars, LBST 10 and LBST 110, ask students to reflect explicitly on these links with the guidance of faculty from the Education Department and in the company of other future teachers. A required career internship or equivalent experience in a classroom setting provides an opportu nity to observe and make connections to their own subject matter learning. Several courses in the curriculum include concepts and methods students can apply directly in the classroom, and in most of their courses they are encouraged by their professors to focus their assigned papers and projects on topics relevant to their future career in teaching.

Assessment of all students will be accomplished in an ongoing manner as students take the HNU English and Mathematics Assessments and complete the General Education courses of the University, the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) requirement, and the upper-division Advanced Courses with a minimum 2.7 GPA. We also require that students take and pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) before the end of the senior year. Students will assess their own progress in the major as they (1) attend Liberal Studies classes where they can connect their learning and teaching experiences; and (2) work on value-based integrating essays for portfolios of their coursework.

In their senior year, students present these portfolios to the Liberal Studies Assessment Committee: the Coordinator and Advisors of the Liberal Studies Program. The portfolio will be reviewed for content, demonstration of written communication skills, integrated knowledge, and successful completion of a paper/project from the Senior Colloquium. Requirements for the portfolio and senior assessment are explained in greater detail in the Liberal Studies Handbook, available from the student’s advisor.

Option II: Liberal Arts Emphasis

Option II in Liberal Studies is a major for those wishing a broad course of study in the Liberal Arts. The courses comprising the major provide an excellent foundation for graduate or professional school or careers in business, law or government service. Students choosing this option complete a Concentration and an Internship compatible with and preparatory for their career goals; their Senior Colloquium project/paper should then incorporate work done in this Concentration. They are encouraged to compile a portfolio of their coursework that can be used in their job application process.

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Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

I. Foundation Courses

These course also satisfy general education requirements of the College.

A - Arts of Language

• ENGL 1A
• ENGL 1B
• COMM 1
• Foreign Language (Second-semester

B - Arts of Thinking

• MATH 7
• CSCI at level 1 competency
• PHIL 2

C. Disciplinary Studies

1. Human Sciences
   • HIST 17A or PSCI 1
   • HIST 17B or PSCI 6
   • PSYC PSYC 1 or
2. Natural Sciences
   • BIOL 15 and PHSC 15
3. Humanities
   • PHIL/RLST 40 or PHIL/RLST 20
4. Fine and Performing Arts (3 units)
   • ARTS courses 1-199

D. Interdisciplinary Studies

• ISAC 1/101
• ISAC 2/102
• ISAC 3/103
• ISAC 4/104

Health and Physical Education/Career Exploration

• PHED for Educators
• HLTH 15
• LBST 10/110

II. Advanced Courses

These courses build upon the Foundation level work to enlarge and deepen knowledge in specific areas of study.

A. Arts of Language

1. One course in writing
   • PHIL/RLST 40 or PHIL/RLST 20
2. One course in literature
   • PHIL/RLST 40 or PHIL/RLST 20
3. One course in linguistics
   • PHIL/RLST 40 or PHIL/RLST 20

B. Arts of Thinking

• MATH 151 (offered in semester program only)

C. Disciplinary Studies

1. Human Sciences
   • One course dealing with Social Dynamics/Ethnic Experience, chosen from: HIST 172-179 SOCI 102(W), 130, 165, or 169
2. Natural Sciences
   • One course in Life Science, chosen from: BIOL 1B, 100, 110, 120, or 190/197
   • One course in Physical Science, chosen from: PHSC 110 or 190/197
3. Humanities and the Arts
   • One course in Philosophy or Religious Studies (One course, at foundation or advanced level, should have a focus on values and moral development.)
   • One course in Fine and Performing Arts (Coverage of the arts should include more than one art form, performance/studio, aesthetics/ art history.)

D. Interdisciplinary Studies (3 units)

• ISAC 195 (W)

Each student should complete an appropriate, culminating project in either the Concentration or in the Senior Colloquium which incorporates the internship experience.

E. Career Exploration/Field Experience

• LBST 110
• LBST or CALP 196

III. Concentration

(12 units in one area of study or a full academic minor with a minimum of 21 units). Semester students may choose a concentration in one of these fields of study: Biological Science, General Science, History, Humanities in World Cultures, Language Arts, Literature, U.S. Cultures, Music, Social Science, Spanish Studies, Teaching English as a Second Language, or Values Inquiry and Moral Reasoning. Students may also choose to design their own disciplinary or multi-disciplinary concentrations with the prior approval and advice of their advisor and the Liberal Studies Coordinator. No more than one course may fulfill the requirement for both an Advanced Course and the Concentration.

Adult learners may choose a concentration in one of these fields of study: History, Humanities in World Cultures, Language Arts, Literature, Teaching English as a Second Language, U.S. Cultures, and Values Inquiry and Moral Reasoning. Adult learners who are able to take courses in the traditional program may be able to choose other concentrations or may wish to design their own concentrations with the advice and consent of the academic advisor and approval of the Liberal Studies Coordinator. No more than one course may fulfill the requirement for both an Advanced Course and the Concentration.

The Liberal Studies major can be completed in the Adult Baccalaureate Degree program with the following modifications:

1. All Foundation Courses are offered on weekends or weeknights on a regularly scheduled basis, with the exception of the LBST Seminar and PE for Educators.
2. The Adult Liberal Studies major should plan to take the upper-division mathematics and
   biology courses in the traditional mode or transfer credits from another institution.

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"The Holy Names University Liberal Studies major has offered me a wide variety of classes that have enabled me to learn about different concepts, ways of thinking, and teaching styles. The personal attention, guidance, and support I've received have allowed me to develop into a confident individual prepared to enter a classroom environment. I look forward to teaching as a challenging, inspiring career." The Holy Names University Liberal Studies major has offered me a wide variety of classes that have enabled me to learn about different concepts, ways of thinking, and teaching styles. The personal attention, guidance, and support I've received have allowed me to develop into a confident individual prepared to enter a classroom environment. I look forward to teaching as a challenging, inspiring career." - Julie Guevara, '90 Graduates interested in teaching in grades K-8 have preparation in all of the subject matter areas taught in the schools. They are prepared to begin post-graduate studies in a credential program. The broad scope of the Liberal Studies major also prepares graduates for careers or graduate study in law, international business, management, journalism, environmental studies, and other fields where a wide knowledge of different disciplines will be important.

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Sheila O'Neill Gibson, PhD University of Toronto Professor of Philosophy 510-436-1015 gibson@hnu.edu Nancy Teskey, snjm, PhD University of California, Davis Associate Professor of Biological Science 510-436-1207 teskey@hnu.edu Rick Patrick, MA University of California, Berkeley Professor of Art 510.436.1586 patrick@hnu.edu

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