Liberal Studies

Laurie G. Dodge, Ph.D., Interim Dean, Arts and Sciences

Armando Arias Jr., Ph.D.

Ronald Ball, Ph.D., Ed.D.

Les Clements, Ph.D.

John Freed, Ph.D.

Bruce Hamlett, Ph.D.

Bachelor of Arts

Nearly all contemporary human problems are more failures of imagination, observation, analysis, interpretation, communication, common sense, integrity, courage to act, faith, compassion or introspection than insufficiencies of material means to solve them. These are the areas of competency addressed in liberal studies. Literary critic Harold Bloom recently asked, "Where can wisdom be found?" Ciero answered him almost two thousand years before: "Not to have knowledge of what happened before you were born , is to be condemned to live your life as a child."

The Liberal Studies program at Chapman's University College primarily serves two significantly different but related types of students and therefore has two options: the Multiple Subjects Teaching Emphasis and the Culture and Media Studies Emphasis.

Liberal Studies with the Multiple Subjects Teaching Emphasis is the undergraduate major of choice for the individual desiring to teach in an elementary classroom. Students with an interest in media arts, cultural and historical studies may want to choose the more flexible degree-completion pathway of the Culture and Media Studies Emphasis. (NOTE: Students interested more specifically in the social sciences should consider the B.A. in Social Science. Those students more interested in studying early childhood should consider the B.A. in Early Childhood Development.)

I. The Multiple Subjects Teaching Emphasis

Building on the interdisciplinary foundation of LBSU 300, the multiple subjects teaching emphasis encompasses college instruction in the subjects that are commonly taught in California's elementary schools (K-8) and is designed to prepare the student to pass the state CBEST and CSET examination. (CSET Prep courses are offered through extended education), and gain direct entry into a state-approved teacher credentialing program either at Chapman or at another university. NOTE: The post-baccalaureate credential program at Chapman University College requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 for the last 60 semester hours for admission.

All courses taken in the major program must be passed with a grade equivalent of "C" or higher. Courses may be used to fulfill both major and general education requirements.

NOTE: Teacher Credential Programs: A California Multiple Subject, Single Subject or Education Specialist teaching credential requires both proof of subject matter competence — i.e. passing score on the appropriate CSET and CBEST — and completion of an approved credential program. Students seeking one or more of the teaching credentials must make formal application to the teacher credential program. See your program advisor for information about the requirements and procedures for applying to the appropriate teacher credential program.

II. The Culture and Media Studies Emphasis

In the early 21st century, we face "culture wars" in the United States and around the globe as competing ideologies share an ever shrinking planet. How did we get here? Where are we going? Where do we want to go?

The Culture and Media Studies Emphasis seeks to address such concerns by immersing students in the various ways of human creating, valuing, knowing and behaving in order to provide a fuller appreciation of the human condition throughout its cultural history. The study of the humanities is "discovery learning" itself, as Freud attests, "The poets and philosophers before me discovered the unconscious. What I discovered was a scientific method by which the unconscious could be studied."

The artistic, historical, religious and philosophical traditions of global cultures are examined through meditated lenses that were shaped by the political and ethical reference points of the West. The Western lens itself is a subject of study and reflection. This humanities-based approach is interdisciplinary by its very nature exploring the intersection of high and popular culture; economics and politics; visual and verbal language and literacy; ethnic and gender identities, and technology and media. In these ways this emphasis is closely related to "cultural studies." This emphasis richly contains the artistic treasure trove that has been made so accessible to our desktops by means of new electronic media technologies.

This curriculum is especially useful for students to customize their study of the humanities either generally or more concentrated in a specific discipline.

This emphasis can also be good preparation for students seeking a single subject teaching credential in language arts and/or social studies or for those preparing for multiple subjects credentialing. NOTE: These students might consider electing to take LBSU 401 as part of their undergraduate degree completion program.

Students pursuing the Culture and Media Studies Emphasis must receive a grade equivalent of at least "C" for courses taken to fulfill major requirements. Courses may be used to fulfill both major and general education requirements.