Program: B.A., Liberal Studies
Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) Freshman
Program Description
Teacher Preparation
Students interested in careers as elementary or special education teachers should select one of the Liberal Studies Teacher Preparation option programs. All provide a B.A. degree in Liberal Studies, including preparation in the “multiple subjects” taught in self-contained classroom settings. Students in the Teacher Preparation option take courses in the language arts, natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, visual and performing arts, human development, physical education and health. By the end of the degree program, students have a foundation of basic knowledge in all of these areas. Students pursuing the Teacher Preparation option are not required to meet the University General Education and Title 5 requirements. By completing the Liberal Studies major, students are considered to have fulfilled those requirements.
The ITEP-Freshman option is a program for entering freshmen who are ready for college-level courses in mathematics and writing. It is designed for freshmen who are certain about their career choice when they begin college. ITEP-Freshman option students remain with their entering cohort throughout their four years, including at least one summer, taking some courses exclusively designed for them. ITEP-Freshmen students take approximately 16 units per semester. The program includes field experience in elementary classrooms every semester guided by education faculty, as well as the opportunity for participation in a close-knit learning community throughout their college experience. The ITEP-Freshman option requires 135 units for a B.A. degree and Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential.
Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU, and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., Social Security number or tax payer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available from the department.
Program Requirements
Track A. Elementary Education (135 units)
Year One: First Semester (15 units)
CADV 150 Foundations of Child and Adolescent Development (3)
LRS 100/F Liberal Studies Freshman Seminar and Field Study (1/1)
MATH 210 Basic Number Concepts (3)
Visual and Performing Arts: Music, Theatre, Dance or Art (4 units)
ART/TH 120/L Arts Immersion (2/2)
Freshman Composition (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
AFRS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
CAS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
CHS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
ENGL 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
QS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
Year One: Second Semester (16 units)
HIST 110 World History to 1500 (3)
LRS 150/F Liberal Studies and Anthropology and Field Study (2/1)
Literature (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 220 Survey of Asian American Literature (3)
AFRS 245 African-American Literature Since 1930 (3)
CAS 201 Survey of Central American Literature (3)
CHS 201 Survey of Mexican Literature in Translation (3)
ENGL 255 Introduction to Literature (3)
ENGL 258 Major English Writers I (3)
ENGL 259 Major English Writers II (3)
ENGL 275 Major American Writers (3)
FLIT 295A Masterpieces of European Literature I (3)
FLIT 295B Masterpieces of European Literature II (3)
Visual and Performing Arts: Music, Theatre, Dance or Art (4 units)
KIN/MUS 120/L Arts Immersion (2/2)
Speech Communication (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
AFRS 151 Freshman Speech Communication (3)
CAS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
CHS 151 Freshman Speech Communication (3)
COMS 151/L Fundamentals of Public Speaking and Lab (2/1)
Summer: End of Year One (6 units)
United States History (3 units)
Select one course from:
AFRS 271 African-American History to 1865 (3)
CHS 245 History of the Americas (3)
HIST 270 The United States to 1865 (3)
United States Government (3 units)
Select one course from:
AFRS 161 American Political Institutions: A Black Perspective (3)
CHS 260 Constitutional Issues and the Chicana/o (3)
POLS 155 American Political Institutions (3)
RS 255 American Political Institutions and Religion (3)
Year Two: First Semester (14 units)
ENGL 303/L Language, Grammar and Linguistics for Teachers (2/1)
ELPS 203 Urban Education in American Society (3)
LRS 200F Liberal Studies Seminar: Science Learning (1)
PHSC 170 Introduction to Physical Science (4)
MATH 211 Statistics and Probability for Elementary and Middle School Teachers (3)
Year Two: Second Semester (17 units)
BIOL 102/L Biological Concepts and Lab (3/1)
ENGL 305 Intermediate Expository Writing (3)
EPC 315 Psychological Foundations of Learning and Teaching (3)
LING 417 Language Development and Acquisition (3)
LRS 250/F Integrating Reason, Belief and Education and Field Study (3/1)
Summer Two (6 units)
Select one course from:
GEOG 106LRS The Physical Environment for Liberal Studies Majors (3)
or GEOL 106LRS Earth and Space Science for Liberal Studies Majors (3)
Year Three: First Semester (15 units)
KIN 470/L Physical Education for Children and Lab (2/1)
MATH 310 Basic Concepts of Geometry, Probability and Statistics (3)
Social and Cultural Context: The Child (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 450 Asian American Child and the Schools (3)
AFRS 420 The Black Child (3)
ARMN 440 Armenian American Child (3)
CAS 410 The Central American Child (3)
CHS 430 The Chicana/o Child (3)
Interdisciplinary Specialization (6 units)
Interdisciplinary Specialization Course 1 (3)
Interdisciplinary Specialization Course 2 (3)
See list of approved Specializations below.
Year Three: Second Semester (18 units)
EED 472 Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3)
EED 477A Reading Instruction for Diverse Learners (3)
ENGL 428 Children’s Literature (3)
MATH 312 Basic Algebraic Concepts (3)
Select one course from:
GEOG 417 California for Educators (3)
or HIST 417 California for Educators (3)
Interdisciplinary Specialization (3 units)
Interdisciplinary Specialization Course 3 (3)
See list of approved Specializations below.
Year Four: First Semester (16 units)
EED 477B Literacy Instruction and English Language Development for Diverse Learners (3)
EED 578A Student Teaching I (3)
EED 579A Student Teaching Seminar (2)
GEOL 406LRS Liberal Studies Science Experience Capstone (1)
SPED 420 Improving the Learning of Students with Special Needs Through Differentiated Instruction and Collaboration (3)
ART/KIN/MUS/TH 304 (1/1/1/1)
Year Four: Second Semester (12 units)
EED 480 Science/Social Science Curriculum Methods (4)
EED 578D Student Teaching II (6)
EED 579D Student Teaching Seminar (1)
HSCI 465ELM Teaching Health in the Elementary School Classroom (1)
Track B. Education Specialist (142 units)
Year One: First Semester (15 units)
CADV 150 Foundations of Child and Adolescent Development (3)
LRS 100/F Liberal Studies Freshman Seminar and Field Study (1/1)
Visual and Performing Arts: Music, Theatre, Dance or Art (4 units)
ART/TH 120/L Arts Immersion (2/2)
Freshman Composition (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
AFRS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
CAS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
CHS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
ENGL 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
QS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
Speech Communication (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
AFRS 151 Freshman Speech Communication (3)
CAS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
CHS 151 Freshman Speech Communication (3)
COMS 151/L Fundamentals of Public Speaking and Lab (2/1)
Year One: Second Semester (16 units)
HIST 110 World History to 1500 (3)
LRS 150/F Liberal Studies and Anthropology and Field Study (2/1)
MATH 210 Basic Number Concepts (3)
Literature (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 220 Survey of Asian American Literature (3)
AFRS 245 African-American Literature Since 1930 (3)
CAS 201 Survey of Central American Literature (3)
CHS 201 Survey of Mexican Literature in Translation (3)
ENGL 255 Introduction to Literature (3)
ENGL 258 Major English Writers I (3)
ENGL 259 Major English Writers II (3)
ENGL 275 Major American Writers (3)
FLIT 295A Masterpieces of European Literature I (3)
FLIT 295B Masterpieces of European Literature II (3)
Visual and Performing Arts: Music, Theatre, Dance or Art (4 units)
KIN/MUS120/L Arts Immersion (2/2)
Summer: End of Year One (6 units)
United States History (3 units)
Select one course from:
AFRS 271 African-American History to 1865 (3)
CHS 245 History of the Americas (3)
HIST 270 The United States to 1865 (3)
United States Government (3 units)
Select one course from:
AFRS 161 American Political Institutions: A Black Perspective (3)
CHS 260 Constitutional Issues and the Chicana/o (3)
POLS 155 American Political Institutions (3)
RS 255 American Political Institutions and Religion (3)
Year Two: First Semester (15 units)
BIOL 102/L Biological Concepts and Lab (3/1)
ENGL 303/L Language, Grammar and Linguistics for Teachers (2/1)
LRS 200F Liberal Studies Seminar: Science Learning (1)
MATH 211 Statistics and Probability for Elementary and Middle School Teachers (3)
PHSC 170 Introduction to Physical Science (4)
Year Two: Second Semester (16 units)
ENGL 305 Intermediate Expository Writing (3)
LING 417 Language Development and Acquisition (3)
LRS 250/F Integrating Reason, Belief and Education and Field Study (3/1)
Special Education (6 units)
SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3)
SPED 420 Improving the Learning of Students with Special Needs Through Differentiated Instruction and Collaboration (3)
Summer Two (6 units)
Select one course from:
GEOG 106LRS The Physical Environment for Liberal Studies Majors (3)
or GEOL 106LRS Earth and Space Science for Liberal Studies Majors (3)
Year Three: First Semester (18 units)
KIN 470/L Physical Education for Children and Lab (2/1)
MATH 310 Basic Concepts of Geometry, Probability and Statistics (3)
SPED 402 Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavior Support (3)
Interdisciplinary Specialization Courses (6 units)
Interdisciplinary Specialization Course 1 (3)
Interdisciplinary Specialization Course 2 (3)
See list of approved Specializations below.
Social and Cultural Context: The Child (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 450 Asian American Child and the Schools (3)
AFRS 420 The Black Child (3)
ARMN 440 Armenian American Child (3)
CAS 410 The Central American Child (3)
CHS 430 The Chicana/o Child (3)
Year Three: Second Semester (18 units)
EED 472 Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3)
ENGL 428 Children’s Literature (3)
MATH 312 Basic Algebraic Concepts (3)
SPED 403MM/SPED 403MS Early Field Experience/Seminar in Special Education (3)
SPED 406 K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3)
Interdisciplinary Specialization Course (3 units)
Interdisciplinary Specialization Course 3 (3)
See list of approved Specializations below.
Year Four: First Semester (17 units)
GEOL 406LRS Liberal Studies Science Experience Capstone (1)
SPED 416 Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with Their Families (3)
SPED 404 Teaching Diverse Learners with Social-Communication Disorders, Including Autism (3)
or SPED 536 Methods for Young Children with Disabilities: Motor and Adaptive Skills (3)
SPED 502MM Reading/Language Arts Instruction for Diverse K-12 Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
or SPED 504MS Teaching Diverse Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3) (Fall only)
SPED 503MM Curriculum and Instruction in Math and Content Subjects for Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
or SPED 505MS Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with Moderate to Severe Disabilities (3) (Spring only)
Year Four: Second Semester (15 units)
GEOG 417 California for Educators (3)
or HIST 417 California for Educators (3)
SPED 501 Special Education Assessment of Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
or SPED 581 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3)
SPED 580S Advanced Specialist Fieldwork Analysis in Education of Learners with IEPS (3)
SPED 580MM/MS Student Teaching and Seminar (6)
List of Specializations for all Liberal Studies Teacher Preparation Options
A. Language Arts or LSLA: Choose Track A or Track B
Track A–Language Arts
1. Literature (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 420 Asian American Literary Self-Representations (3)
AFRS 346 Contemporary Black Female Writers (3)
CHS 480/F Chicana/o-Latina/o Children’s Literature in Communities (2/1)
ENGL 311 History of African-American Writing (3)
ENGL 314 North American Indian Literature (3)
2. Linguistics (3 units)
Select one course from:
AFRS 395 Bilingualism in the African-American Community (3)
CHS 482 Language of the Barrio (3)
ENGL 405 Language Differences and Language Change (3)
LING 427 Languages in Contact (3)
LING 447 Bilingualism in the U.S. (3)
3. Language Arts Capstone Experience (3 units)
Select one course from:
LING 325 Language, Gender, and Identity (3)
ENGL 495ESM Multigenre Literacy in a Global Context (3)
Track B–Literacy Scholars for the Future of Los Angeles (LSLA)
1. Perspective on Literacy (3 units)
LRS 333 Perspectives on Literacy (3) (Fall only)
2. Practicum in Early Literacy (3 units)
LRS 433/F Practicum in Early Literacy (2/1) (Fall only)
3. Children’s Literature of Latin America in Translation (3 units)
CHS 480/F Chicana/o-Latina/o Children’s Literature in Communities (2/1) (Spring only)
B. Mathematics
1 & 2. Math Requirements (6 units)
MATH 131 Mathematical Ideas (3)
MATH 311 Basic Geometric Concepts (3)
3. Math Capstone Experience (3 units)
MATH 331 Mathematical Explorations (3)
C. History and Social Science
1. Places, Cultures and Histories Requirement (3 units)
Select one course from:
AFRS 366 Colonialism in Africa (3)
CAS 309 Ancient to Pre-Modern History of the Central American People (3)
CAS 310 Modern History of the Central American People (3)
CHS 345 History of the Mexican Peoples (3)
CHS 445 History of the Chicano (3)
GEOG 321 United States (3)
HIST 355 History of Slavery in the United States (3)
HIST 369 History of American Indians (3)
2. Social Science Issues in Diverse Communities Requirement (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 210 History of Asians in America (3)
AAS 345 Contemporary Issues in Asian American Studies (3)
AAS 347 Asian American Politics and Law (3)
AFRS 272 African-American History Since 1865 (3)
AFRS 300 Contemporary Issues in the African-American Community (3)
AIS 304 American Indian Law and Policy (3)
AIS 401 Contemporary American Indian Social Issues (3)
CAS 369 Contemporary Social Movements in Central America (3)
CHS 260 Constitutional Issues and the Chicana/o (3)
CHS 471 Chicano Families (3)
GEOG 300 The Geographer’s Craft (3)
GEOG 350 Metropolitan Los Angeles (3)
GWS 110 Women, Work and Family (3)
GWS 300 Women as Agents of Change (3)
GWS 370 Women and Violence (3)
HIST 301 The Historian’s Craft: Reading, Research and Writing History (3)
HIST 380: Los Angeles: Past, Present, Future (3)
QS 301 Perspectives in Queer Studies (3)
3. History and Social Science Capstone Experience (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 417 Equity and Diversity in Schools (3)
AFRS 417 Equity and Diversity in Schools (3)
ARMN 417 Equity and Diversity in School (3)
CHS 417 Equity and Diversity in Schools (3)
ELPS 417 Equity and Diversity in Schools (3)
D. Sciences
1. Physics/Astronomy/Chemistry Science Requirement (3-4 units)
ASTR 152 Elementary Astronomy (3)
ASTR 154L Observational Astronomy (1)
ASTR 352 Current Developments in Astronomy (3)
ASTR 352L Current Developments in Astronomy Lab (1)
PHYS 305/L Physics of Music and Laboratory (3/1)
CHEM 110 Chemistry in Action (3)
CHEM 110L Chemistry in Action Lab (1)
2. Biology/Geology Science Requirement (2-4 units)
BIOL 211 Human Anatomy (2)
BIOL 212 Laboratory Studies in Human Anatomy (1)
BIOL 241 Human Pregnancy and Embryology (3)
BIOL 241L Human Pregnancy and Embryology Lab (1)
BIOL 281 Human Physiology (3)
BIOL 282 Lab Experiments in Human Physiology (1)
BIOL 285 Biology of Cancer (2)
BIOL 316/L Plant Biology and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 317/L Microbes and Society and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 323 Plants and Animals of Southern California (3)
BIOL 325/L Life in the Sea and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 362/L Genetics and Society and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 101 Geology of Planet Earth (3)
GEOL 102 Geology of Planet Earth Lab (1)
GEOL 110 Earth and Life Through Time (3)
GEOL 112 Earth and Life Through Time Lab (1)
GEOL 122 The World Ocean (3)
GEOL 123 World Ocean Lab (1)
GEOL 300 Environmental Geology (3)
GEOL 301 Environmental Geology Lab (1)
3. Science Capstone Experience (3 units)
E. Arts Integration
1. Arts and the Child Requirement (6 units)
Select two courses from:
ART 385/L Children’s Crafts and Lab (2/1)
KIN 314/L Creative Dance for Children and Lab (2/1)
MUS 361/L Music Literature for Children and Lab (2/1)
TH 371/L Creative Drama and Lab (2/1)
2. Arts Capstone Experience (3 units)
Select one course from:
ART 305 Art and Mass Culture (3)
KIN 380/L Perspectives of Dance and Lab (2/1)
MUS 307 Music from a Global Perspective (3)
TH 310 Theatre in Performance (3)
Contact
Liberal Studies Program
Director: Ranita Chatterjee
Education Administration (EA) 100
(818) 677-3300
Student Learning Outcomes
The Liberal Studies Program at California State University, Northridge is committed to producing socially responsible, informed and engaged individuals who value diversity and:
- Demonstrate proficient knowledge in their area of specialization and a range of disciplines.
- Demonstrate proficiency in multimodal communication.
- Are able to access, evaluate and make use of a range of informational resources.
- Students demonstrate a depth of critical thinking.