Minor in California Studies

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Dean: Dr. Ifeoma Kiddoe Nwankwo

California Studies Program

Humanities Building, Room 410
Phone: (415) 338-1830
Coordinator: Jose Acacio De Barros

Program Scope

The Minor in California Studies is a multi-disciplinary program whose purpose is to study the consensus and conflict, unity and diversity, and continuity and change that characterize the many cultures, social structures, and artistic and creative expressions, as well as the earth and geosciences, of past and present California.

Students pursuing this minor may draw upon the strengths of many departments offering courses on the various dimensions of California; in particular, Africana Studies, American Indian Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian American Studies, Biology, Earth and Climate Sciences, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Humanities, Political Science, Latina/Latino Studies, and Recreation, Parks, and Tourism. Certain core courses are required to obtain the minor, with additional elective courses to be chosen by the student.

Each student should emerge from the minor with a grasp of California history and political processes, knowledge, and appreciation of the rich diversity of California cultures, creative arts, and literatures, an informed view of California's environmental richness and ecological relationships, and a continuing interest in the dynamic California landscape.

Affiliated Programs at SF State

Liberal Studies

The Liberal Studies major offers a pattern of courses that emphasize California studies. For details, see the Liberal Studies section of this Bulletin.

American Studies

The American Studies major offers the possibility of pursuing a California-focused elective program. For details, see the Bachelor of Arts in American Studies section of this Bulletin.

Career Outlook

The Minor in California Studies prepares students for regional and local application of their major fields of study to the immediate world in which they live, the state of California. A foundation in California studies is beneficial to those pursuing teaching credentials and careers in business, public policy, public administration, state government, and public history. The minor is also excellent preparation for those pursuing advanced degrees in the social sciences, humanities, earth sciences, or arts.

California Studies Minor - 15 units minimum

A minimum of 6 upper-division units are required to complete the minor.

All coursework used to satisfy the requirements of the minor must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

Core (6 units)

LS/AMST 200Self, Place, and Knowing: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Inquiry3
HIST 450History of California3

California Artistic and Cultural Landscapes (3 units)

Select One:

HTM 421Food, Wine, and Culture in California3
HUM 340Bay Area Culture3
HUM 376San Francisco3
HUM 375Biography of a City: United States Cities3
HUM 450/AMST 410California Culture3
LS 428From Local to Global: California Interdisciplinary Visual Cultures3

California Social and Ethnic Landscapes (3-4 units)

Select One:

AA S 510Asian Americans in California3
AIS 410Perspectives of Native California Indians3
ANTH 356Archaeology of California3
HUM 340Bay Area Culture3
LTNS 315Latina/os in California3
LTNS 660Latina/o Politics3
PLSI 473California Politics and Government4
PLSI 475/USP 485San Francisco Political Issues4

California Environmental Landscapes (3-4 units)

Select One:

BIOL 300Nature Study3
ERTH 325Geology of the National Parks3
ERTH 360California Weather Events3
GEOG 301Bay Area Environments3
GEOG 552Geography of California3
GEOG/USP 651San Francisco Bay Area Environmental Issues4
LS 430Future of the Forests3