The School of Liberal Studies
College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Dean: Dr. Ifeoma Kiddoe Nwankwo
The School of Liberal Studies
Humanities Building, Room 410
Telephone: (415) 338-1830
Website: https://liberalstudies.sfsu.edu
Director: Dr. Jose Acacio De Barros
The School of Liberal Studies houses the following interdisciplinary programs:
- California Studies (minor)
- Comic Studies (minor)
- Liberal Studies (B.A.)
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Liberal Studies Integrated Teacher Preparation (B.A.)
Our faculty are accomplished scholars with contributions to a wide range of fields of academic knowledge, such as education, physics, literature, performance, arts, comics studies, anthropology, psychology, environmental sciences, geography, mathematics, and philosophy. This array of intellectual interests allows our School to offer innovative interdisciplinary courses and curricula for students seeking to further their studies, enter the workforce, or simply better themselves.
In our School, we offer the following options for students interested in a B.A.
Liberal Studies
Liberal Studies (L.S.) is the ideal major for students who plan to become elementary school teachers or seek intellectual exploration and advancement without being tied to a single discipline. The B.A. in Liberal Studies is a rigorous and comprehensive interdisciplinary program grounded in academic inquiry in the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Liberal Studies students learn to approach complex problems by integrating knowledge from multiple perspectives. Drawing from various academic fields, L.S. students think about issues creatively in ways not restrained by traditional approaches. Liberal Studies classes often consider the relationship between significantly distinct topics, such as indigenous movements and biology, creative arts and social movements, human rights and education, or mind and culture. Because of its interdisciplinarity and breadth of approaches, Liberal Studies graduates are well-positioned to enter a wide range of careers. Many employers and professional schools prefer candidates with an L.S. graduate's richly diversified education and integrative skills. The Liberal Studies major is also highly recommended for aspiring elementary school teachers. Students with a B.A. in Liberal Studies satisfy the subject matter proficiency for multiple-subject credentials and are exempt from taking the CSET exams.
Career Outlook
The Liberal Studies major prepares students for future employment in various fields, including education, government or public service, the arts, management, communications, humanities, social sciences, and work involving multicultural communities. The teacher preparation emphasis provides the broad academic background necessary for teaching in an elementary classroom and as part of a student's preparation for the multiple-subject credential program. The major is also appropriate for various professional and graduate programs such as business, counseling, law, librarianship, medicine, and disciplinary or interdisciplinary graduate programs.
Students interested in becoming elementary school teachers are strongly encouraged to choose the Liberal Studies major and its Teacher Preparation emphasis for their 12 units beyond the core.
- Each student should consult with an advisor at least once a year to discuss the major, selection of courses, and preparation of the planning worksheet.
- For additional information on the program, go to liberalstudies.sfsu.edu/.
Transfer Courses Included in the Liberal Studies Major
With advisor approval, courses transferred from other institutions may be used to fulfill the major's Core requirements if they are upper-division and equivalent to the major's required courses. Lower- and/or upper-division courses transferred from other institutions may be used in the Emphasis Pattern so long as at least six units are upper-division and the content of the courses is equivalent. All residence requirements stipulated in the Bulletin must be met.
Students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at S.F. State must fulfill the Complementary Studies requirement as defined by the major department. Students should consult with a Liberal Studies advisor about how transfer units and S.F. State units can best be applied to this requirement to ensure degree completion within 60 units.
Liberal Studies Integrated Teacher Preparation
The Liberal Studies Integrated Teacher Preparation (LS-ITEP) is a blended Liberal Studies B.A. and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential program. This program focuses on future teachers, and its classes are selected to provide an optimal pathway for students who plan to become elementary school teachers. LS-ITEP students may complete all the required Liberal Studies and credential requirements within four years while at the same time going through a rigorous and comprehensive interdisciplinary program grounded in academic inquiry in the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
Career Outlook
The Liberal Studies major prepares students for future employment in various fields, but predominantly in education. Because of its teacher preparation emphasis, LS-ITEP provides a broad academic background and a multiple-subject credential for teaching in an elementary classroom.
- Each student should consult with an advisor at least once a year to discuss the major, selection of courses, and preparation of the planning worksheet.
- For additional information on the program, go to liberalstudies.sfsu.edu/.
Transfer Courses Included in the Liberal Studies Integrated Teacher Preparation Major
Before declaring LS-ITEP as their major, students should check whether there are transfer articulations between their originating institution and SFSU. Because the LS-ITEP has many requirements, if no articulations exist, transfer students are encouraged to contact a Liberal Studies adviser before deciding to transfer to this major. With advisor approval, courses transferred from other institutions may be used to fulfill the major's Core requirements. Lower- and/or upper-division courses transferred from other institutions may be used in the Emphasis Pattern so long as at least six units are upper-division and the content of the courses is equivalent. All residence requirements stipulated in the Bulletin must be met.
Students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at S.F. State must fulfill the Complementary Studies requirement as defined by the major department. Students should consult with a Liberal Studies advisor about how transfer units and S.F. State units can best be applied to this requirement to ensure degree completion within a reasonable timeframe.
Professor
Tanya Augsburg (2007), Professor in Liberal Studies. Ph.D. Emory University.
José Acacio De Barros (2007), Professor in Liberal Studies. Ph.D. Brazilian Center for Research in Physics, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Mariana Ferreira (2003), Professor in Liberal Studies. Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco.
Associate Professor
Logan Hennessy (2007), Associate Professor in Liberal Studies. Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley.
Nick Sousanis (2016), Associate Professor in Liberal Studies. Ed.D. Columbia University Teachers College.
Major
- Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Integrated Teacher Preparation
Minors
Certificate
Liberal Studies
LS 200 Self, Place, and Knowing: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Inquiry (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area A2* or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as LS 200 and AMST 200. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- E: Lifelong Learning Develop
LS 209 Physical Sciences for Elementary School Teachers (Units: 3)
Designed for prospective elementary and middle school (K-8) teachers. Understanding through inquiry the structure and property of matter and principles of motion and energy. Lecture, 2 units; laboratory, 1 unit. [Formerly LS 309]
Course Attributes:
- B3: Lab Science
LS 300GW Perspectives on Liberal Studies - GWAR (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A2 and E. Priority enrollment for Liberal Studies majors.
Course Attributes:
- Graduation Writing Assessment
LS 304 Making Comics (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as LS 304, CMX 304, and HUM 304. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
LS 310 Science and Culture for Future Elementary School Teachers (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; LS 209 or GE Areas B1 and B3 or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-B: Physical Life Science
LS 317 Critical Animal Studies (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
(This course is offered as LS 317 and HUM 317. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
LS 400 Social Sciences Core I (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
LS 401 International Development and Resource Justice (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Environmental Sustainability
- Global Perspectives
LS 402 Introduction to Human Rights Education for Teachers and Local Communities (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
LS 403 Performance and Pedagogy of the Oppressed for Educators (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area A1*.
(This course is offered as LS 403 and COMM 557. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
LS 404 Social Science and Medicine (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
LS 410 Social Justice Themes in the Interdisciplinary Humanities (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A2* and C2*.
LS 426 Thought and Image: Creative Arts (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: ENG 114 or equivalent.
LS 427 Social Movements & the Arts for Future Teachers (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area A2.
Course Attributes:
- Social Justice
LS 428 From Local to Global: California Interdisciplinary Visual Cultures (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
LS 430 Future of the Forests (Units: 3)
Prerequisites:GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; one college-level biology course*; or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-B: Physical Life Science
- Environmental Sustainability
- Global Perspectives
LS 440 Mind, Body, and Culture (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as LS 440 and HUM 440. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- UD-B: Physical Life Science
LS 450 Banned! Contested Protest Literature in Schools (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A2* and C2*.
LS 460 Childhood, Nature, and Society (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
LS 604 Advanced Comics Making (Units: 3)
Builds on the making and analytical skills covered in LS 304/CMX 304. Project-based course for developing skills in communicating through comic form, culminating in the production of a significant work ready for publication.(This course is offered as LS 604, HUM 604, and CMX 604. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
LS 690 Liberal Studies Senior Seminar (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to senior standing and LS 300GW.
LS 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; Liberal Studies majors; and permission of the instructor.
Comic Studies
CMX 200 Comics, Campus, and You (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area A2.
Course Attributes:
- E: Lifelong Learning Develop
CMX 235 Comics and Culture (Units: 3)
Introduction to the scholarly study of comic books and graphic novels. Emphasis on formal analysis, historical antecedents and developments, cross-cultural comparison, and comparison of comics with other cultural forms. Focus on what it means to make comics as well as analyze them.
(This course is offered as HUM 235 [formerly HUM 325] and CMX 235 [formerly CMX 325]. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- C2: Humanities
CMX 304 Making Comics (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as LS 304, CMX 304, and HUM 304. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
CMX 326 Comics in Education (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
CMX 504 From Superman to the Supercrip: Comics and Disability (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CMX 325 or permission of the instructor.
CMX 540 Topics in Comics Studies (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: HUM 325 or permission of the instructor.
Topics:
- Political Cartooning
- Superheroes
CMX 541 Manga (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as HUM 541 and CMX 541 [formerly a topic of HUM 540 and CMX 540]. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
CMX 542 San Francisco Underground Comix (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
CMX 543 Queer Comics (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
CMX 604 Advanced Comics Making (Units: 3)
Builds on the making and analytical skills covered in LS 304/CMX 304. Project-based course for developing skills in communicating through comic form, culminating in the production of a significant work ready for publication.(This course is offered as LS 604, HUM 604, and CMX 604. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
CMX 625 Advanced Readings in Comics (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division or graduate standing; CMX 325; or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as CMX 625 and HUM 625. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
CMX 650 The Affordances of Creative Nonfiction Comics (Units: 3)
Intensive study of nonfiction comics exploring the different purposes of and approaches to their creation and applications. Types of nonfiction comics explored include: historical, scientific, educational, biographical, informational, explanatory, instructional, and advocacy. Close analysis of nonfiction comics done in parallel with intensive practice, in which short nonfiction comics are produced. Specific topics include exploring research methods for comics, navigating artist-researcher collaborations, comics compositional theory, and best practices for communicating scientific and educational ideas.CMX 675 The Lab: Nonfiction Comics in Action (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CMX 650*.