Liberal Studies, Department of

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Department Chair

James R. Hofmann

Department Office/Website

Humanities 230
657-278-2794
lbst.fullerton.edu

Faculty

Emily Bonney, April Bullock, Mark Fischer, Margaret Garber, Joseph Gonzalez, James Hofmann, Kevin Lambert, Edward Maine, Craig McConnell, Andrea Patterson, Angeles Sancho-Velazquez, Saul Tobias

Introduction

Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary department that integrates concepts from the humanities and arts, the natural sciences and the social sciences. Some core courses trace the historical development of these areas of knowledge in their intellectual and cultural context. The broad framework of these courses will enable students to see the whole range of human knowledge. Other core courses compare and contrast the methods and underlying assumptions of the humanities and arts, the natural sciences and the social sciences, and explore the ways in which these disciplines communicate. The critical thinking and communication skills these courses develop provide students with the self-confidence that comes from being able to express one’s ideas clearly and effectively both orally and in writing. The core courses use a combination of lecture, discussion and seminar to make the student not only a well-rounded, well-educated person, but also a more independent thinker and a more creative human being.

The major in Liberal Studies is designed for students who desire the broadest possible liberal education: (1) as preparation for teaching all subjects in the elementary school classroom; (2) as an alternative approach to careers in business; (3) as preprofessional preparation for entry into professional schools in the health sciences, law, ministry, etc.; (4) as a means of obtaining specific occupational requirements that cannot be met from coursework in a single department; (5) and as a source of personal growth and development.

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

The following goals and learning outcomes have been established for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies:

Written Communication

• Write clearly and correctly
• Analyze and present ideas and subject matter coherently

Knowledge

• Identify significant figures, concepts, themes and developments in the arts and humanities
• Identify significant figures, concepts, themes and developments in the social sciences
• Identify significant figures, concepts, themes and developments in the natural sciences

Analysis

• Compare and contrast significant concepts, themes and arguments from the arts and humanities
• Compare and contrast significant concepts, themes and arguments from the social sciences
• Compare and contrast significant concepts, themes and arguments from the natural sciences

Interdisciplinarity

• Explain interdisciplinary connections among and within the three subject areas: arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

• Liberal Studies, B.A.

• Liberal Studies Minor
• Multiple Subject Credential Program

Courses

Courses are designated as LBST in the class schedule.

• LBST 100 - Introduction to the Humanities (3)
• LBST 101 - Introduction to the Social Sciences (3)
• LBST 300 - Introduction to Liberal Studies (3)
• LBST 301 - Inquiry and Composition in Liberal Studies (3)
• LBST 302A - Historical Dimension of Liberal Studies (3)
• LBST 302B - Historical Dimension of Liberal Studies (3)
• LBST 303 - Liberal Studies in the Humanities and Arts (3)
• LBST 304 - Liberal Studies in the Sciences (3)
• LBST 305 - Liberal Studies in the Social Sciences (3)
• LBST 310 - The California Experience (3)
• LBST 315 - A European Tour (3)
• LBST 322 - Cross-Cultural Social Thought (3)
• LBST 323 - Cross-Cultural Humanities (3)
• LBST 330 - History of Early Science and Technology (3)
• LBST 331 - History of Science: Copernicus to the Present (3)
• LBST 333 - Evolution and Creation (3)
• LBST 335 - Science on the Silver Screen (3)
• LBST 337 - Science, Technology, and Society (3)
• LBST 340 - Food in the Social Sciences (3)
• LBST 401 - Knowledge in the Arts and Sciences (3)
• LBST 482 - Interdisciplinary Thematic Plan (ITP) Research Seminar (3)
• LBST 485 - Senior Seminar in Cultural Diversity (3)
• LBST 486 - Senior Seminar in Humanities and Arts (3)
• LBST 487 - Senior Seminar in Evolution and Creation (3)
• LBST 488 - Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies (3)
• LBST 489 - Senior Seminar in Gender Issues (3)
• LBST 490 - Senior Seminar in Great Books (3)
• LBST 491 - Senior Seminar in Literature and Sciences (3)
• LBST 492 - Senior Seminar in The History of the Information Machine (3)
• LBST 499 - Independent Study (1-3)
• LBST 501 - Proseminar in Liberal Studies (3)
• LBST 502T - Topics in Liberal Studies (3)
• LBST 503 - Seminar in the Arts and Humanities (3)
• LBST 504 - Seminar in Natural Sciences (3)
• LBST 505 - Seminar in Social Science (3)

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