Program Overview

Liberal Studies (Hutchins) BA

Program Description

The Liberal Studies (Hutchins) BA program offers three tracks: Track I (General Liberal Studies Major), Track II (Subject Matter Preparation for pre-credential elementary teaching), and Track III (Blended Program for accelerated BA plus Multiple Subject Credential).

Program Learning Outcomes

• Interdisciplinarity: Identify and draw on multiple disciplines, analyzing multiple disciplines in a purposeful, nuanced, and respectful manner.
• Seminar Skills: Participate and facilitate seminars, providing substantial evidence of participation or facilitation within seminars.
• Equity and Social Justice: Understand systemic inequality, integrating numerous perspectives on systemic inequality both in the United States and worldwide.
• Critical Thinking, Metacognition, and Analysis: Address multiple viewpoints, analyzing and addressing multiple conflicting ideas.

Degree Requirements

• See the “Degree Requirements” in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

General Education Requirements (48 units)

• See the “General Education” requirements in the University Catalog for information on General Education requirements.

Upper Division Major Core Requirements

• LIBS 302 - Introduction to Liberal Studies (3 units)
• Choose one of the following:
  • LIBS 304 - We Hold These Truths (3 units)
  • LIBS 204 - Ethnic Studies, Storytelling, and Film (4 units)
  • LIBS 205 - Topics in American Culture (4 units)
• One course each in 4 Core Seminar Areas:
  • Core A Society and Self
  • Core B The Individual and the Material World
  • Core C The Arts and Human Experience
  • Core D Consciousness and Reality
• Capstone Course:
  • LIBS 402 - Senior Synthesis (4 units)
  • LIBS 403 - Senior Synthesis-Study Away (4 units)

Concentrations

Track I: Interdisciplinary Studies

• Students who prefer a broad interdisciplinary major as a foundation for their career choice or who are motivated by intellectual curiosity and wish to pursue an individualized study plan.
• Flexible Track I major requirements may be tailored to fit individual goals.
• Track I may include:
  • Up to 9 upper division units from other majors or minors organized into an area of emphasis which reflects career plans and/or intellectual interests.
  • 12 units from CSU approved study abroad programs as part of the emphasis in the Hutchins major.
  • 3-5 units of internship experience to help students relate their education pathway to specific career choices.
  • The ability to choose from a wide variety of LIBS courses which include elective seminars, independent and directed studies, internships, and field study opportunities.

Track II: Multiple Subject Preparation Program (Pre-credential elementary teaching)

• The Hutchins School offers a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved subject matter preparation program for students intending to enter a California elementary teaching credential program for either Multiple Subjects or Education Specialist, after completion of the BA.
• The BA pre-credential option ensures:
  • Interdisciplinary subject matter proficiency.
  • Possession of the high-level analytic, synthetic, creative, and expressive academic skills required of future educators.
  • Carefully planned coursework to meet state-mandated content standards for prospective elementary teachers.
  • Excellent content preparation for the CSET: Multiple Subjects exam as well as for admission to a professional teacher training program.

Track III: Blended Program (accelerated plan BA Plus Multiple Subject Credential)

• The Blended Program incorporates the lower-division Hutchins General Education program or Associates Degree for Transfer (AAT) in Elementary Teacher Education, and the basic course work for Track II with courses from the School of Education beginning in the junior year.
• Blended students complete a BA in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in a 135 unit plan.

Units

• Total units Hutchins Core: 22
• Major Requirements Track I Interdisciplinary Studies: 18
• Total units in Major Track I Interdisciplinary Studies: 40
• Major Requirements Track II Multiple Subject Preparation (Pre-Credential): 21
• Total units in Major Track II Multiple Subject Teacher Preparation (Pre-Credential): 43
• Major Requirements Track III Blended Multiple Subject Teacher Preparation + Credential: 20
• Total units in Major Track III Blended Multiple Subject Teacher Preparation + Credential: 42