Courses
HUM 101. Forms and Ideas in Humanities (3)
Prerequisite: Multiple Measures Placement in GE-level writing or completion of the lower division writing requirement. Introductory course provides instruction in the interdisciplinary analysis and interpretation of meaning in art, music and literature ,and in the understanding of philosophical ideas in their own right and as they influence styles and themes in works of art. (Available for General Education, C1 Arts or C2 Humanities.)
HUM 105. Cultural Eras in Humanities I (3)
Prerequisite: Multiple Measures Placement in GE-level writing or completion of the lower division writing requirement. Interdisciplinary study of major eras of humanistic development from the ancient world to the 15th century through representative works of visual art, architecture, music, philosophy, religion and oral and written literature. (Available for General Education, C1 Arts or C2 Humanities)
HUM 106. Cultural Eras in Humanities II (3)
Prerequisite: Multiple Measures Placement in GE-level writing or completion of the lower division writing requirement. Interdisciplinary study of major eras of humanistic development from the 16th to 20th century through representative works of visual art, architecture, film, music, philosophy, religion and oral and written literature. (Available for General Education, C1 Arts or C2 Humanities.)
HUM 296A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Humanities (1-3)
Experimental Topics
HUM 391. Cultural Theories and Methodologies (3-3)
Preparatory: HUM 105 or HUM 106. Intensive interdisciplinary study of an age, movement, problem or theme, with emphasis on the practices and methodologies of interdisciplinary study. The topic of the seminar varies. (Cross-listed with FLIT 391.)
HUM 396A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Humanities (3)
Experimental Topics
HUM 491. Capstone Seminar (3-3)
Preparatory: HUM 391 or FLIT 391; At least one course in intellectual history, cultural theory or critical methodologies. Intensive interdisciplinary study of an age, movement, problem or theme, with emphasis on the application of cultural theory in interdisciplinary study. The topic of the seminar varies. (Cross-listed with FLIT 491 and LRS 491.)
HUM 496A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Humanities (3)
Experimental Topics
HUM 499A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
Independent Study
LRS 100/F. Liberal Studies Freshman Seminar and Field Study (1/1)
Prerequisite: ITEP Freshman option students only. Recommended Corequisite: LRS 100F. Introduces first-time freshman students to university culture and expectations and to fieldwork methodology in elementary education. Students focus primarily on themselves as learners with a secondary focus on children as learners. Topics: how students learn; time management; diversity; information competence; introduction to technology; university literacy; campus-specific resources and services; and an introduction to fieldwork methodology. 1 hour of lecture and 2 hours of guided field experience in elementary school classrooms per week.
LRS 150/F. Liberal Studies and Anthropology and Field Study (2/1)
Prerequisite: ITEP Freshman option students only. Recommended Corequisite: LRS 150F. Preparatory: LRS 100/F. Introduction to the study of cultural anthropology, with a focus on cultural issues that influence learning and education of multicultural populations. Students apply cultural concepts to understand themselves as learners and to children in elementary-school settings. Topics include gender, ethnicity and people who are culturally and linguistically diverse. Foundations of ethnographic observation and development of a case study of an elementary-school student. Includes 15 hours of guided field experience in elementary classrooms.
LRS 196A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (3)
Experimental Topics
LRS 200/L. Liberal Studies Seminar and Lab: Learning, Thinking, and Doing Physical Science (3/1)
Prerequisite: ITEP-Freshman Option students only. Corequisite: LRS 200L. This course provides aspiring elementary school teachers with an understanding of how young children construct and comprehend key facets of science including explanations, theories, models, and experiments. In tandem with learning and doing science, students think about the philosophical and cognitive underpinnings of these facets of science. The course will also look at the nature of some of students’ alternative conceptions in science and strategies for assessing children’s existing beliefs. The laboratory component, LRS 200L, involves practicing physical science core ideas as both learners and teachers. As learners, they conduct physical science investigations themselves. As teachers, they teach lessons to elementary children based on the concepts learned and conduct interviews with the elementary children. This lab meets for 3 hours per week. 15 hours of offsite laboratory work is required.
LRS 250/F. Integrating Reason, Belief and Education and Field Study (3/1)
Prerequisite: ITEP Freshman option students only. Recommended Corequisite: LRS 250F. Introduction to the concepts essential to the identification, analysis and evaluation of arguments for students in the Integrated Teacher Education Program. Students examine the variety of sources of justification, evidence and warrant, such as argumentation, problem solving and perception. Emphasizes the application of these and learning in K-12 classrooms. Includes 15 hours of guided field experience in elementary classrooms.
LRS 296A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (3)
Experimental Topics
LRS 300. Liberal Studies Gateway Experience (3)
Prerequisites: Course is limited to Pre-Credential and ITEP Junior option students; Junior standing. Focusing on the elements required for success in integrating subject matter knowledge from multiple disciplines in preparation for a career in teaching, this course is an introduction to the academic and professional requirements for a Liberal Studies pre-credential major. Students will deepen their understanding of the eight required subject matter areas (Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, History/Social Studies, Child Development, Visual and Performing Arts, Health and Physical Education), in the context of their university-based curriculum and of the Academic Content Standards and State Curriculum Frameworks for grades K-8. Research and technology skills required for teachers are introduced and practiced. (Letter Grade only)
LRS 333. Perspectives on Literacy (3)
Prerequisite: ENGL 301. Corequisites: LRS 433/F. This course examines topics related to the development of reading and writing—what people frequently refer to as literacy. These topics range from how the organization of the human brain integrates its design for language with the cognitive demands of representing language in print to understanding the roles of human interaction and culture in the development of early literacy.
LRS 396A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (3)
Experimental Topics
LRS 401. Research in the Digital Age for Professionals (3)
This course will teach students methods of finding, interpreting, and evaluating information for research in the digital age. Students will explore the steps necessary to develop workplace-related research topics, find and evaluate relevant information for their research, and hone their presentation skills appropriate to the occasion and the audience. The following information literacy skills are emphasized in the course modules: understanding the research process; effectively searching print and electronic information resources to compile research findings; correctly citing the information found; and developing effective written and oral presentations of their research findings.
LRS 402. Cultural Literacies in Career Contexts (3)
Cultural Literacies in Career Contexts is designed to teach students to be culturally competent in increasingly diverse career contexts. Students examine assumptions about cultural norms, analyze what culture is and study how power and difference intersect with cultural beliefs. The course addresses the intersectionality of gender, race, class and sexuality in developing students’ cultural literacies as these dimensions crucially impact interactions in the working world. Students learn how culture shapes their worldview and increases their awareness of their own cultural backgrounds, and the contexts (social, cultural and historical) in which they live and communicate.
LRS 433/F. Practicum in Early Literacy (2/1)
Prerequisite: ENGL 301. Corequisite: LRS 333. This is a practicum designed to extend information and concepts presented in LRS 333. The focus of this course is on the application of research in language, development and early literacy. The role of early intervention in the prevention of learning difficulties and concepts related to individual differences in reading and writing are examined. Students are required to connect theory with practice; reflect upon young children’s and their own reading and writing; and design, implement and evaluate evidence-based instruction. 15 hours of supervised fieldwork is required.
LRS 491. Capstone Seminar (3-3)
Preparatory: FLIT 391 or HUM 391. Intensive interdisciplinary study of an age, movement, problem, or theme, with emphasis on the application of cultural theory in interdisciplinary study. The topic of the seminar varies. Students will complete a senior project, such as a research paper or a creative performance that demonstrates the integrated knowledge, understanding and skills they have gained in the course of studies in the major. (Cross-listed with FLIT and HUM 491.)
LRS 496A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (3)
Experimental Topics
SUST 111. Understanding Climate Change (3)
Severe global climate change will have disastrous consequences for Earth’s population. This course will develop the basic science behind the predictions for Earth’s climate, and explain why human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases, is the main driver of global warming. Course topics include the causes of climate change, its impacts, projections for the future, possible mitigation, and economic barriers imposed by the global capitalist system. 3 hours lecture per week. Students receive credit for only one course chosen from either SUST 111, GEOG 111, or SCI 111. (Available for General Education, B1 Physical Science. Students may satisfy the B3 Science Laboratory Activity requirement by completing SUST 111L.)
SUST 111L. Understanding Climate Change Lab (1)
Corequisite: SUST 111. Laboratory exercises include climate prediction modeling, the use of proxy data, and examination of the impacts of climate change. 3 hours lab per week. Students receive credit for only one course chosen from either SUST 111L, GEOG 111L, or SCI 111L. (Available for General Education, B3 Science Laboratory Activity requirement provided SUST 111 is also completed.)
SUST 240. Environmental Ethics (3)
Examines the meaning and value of nature and the environment from a variety of ethical perspectives, including feminist and de-colonial perspectives. Questions can include: How should human beings relate to the natural world? How can we build sustainable interactions with the natural world? Do we have moral obligations toward non-human animals and other parts of nature? What do we owe to other beings, including future generations, with respect to the environment? In the face of catastrophic climate change, is it moral to procreate or to eat meat? (Available for General Education, C2 Humanities.) (Cross-listed with PHIL 240.)
SUST 300. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Sustainability (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to help students understand concepts of sustainability from multiple perspectives. Students will build skills to apply theories to real-world problems of sustainability, and develop the ability to apply sustainability principles and critical thinking skills to their personal and professional decision-making processes. (Available for General Education, D1 Social Sciences.)
SUST 310. Best Practices in Sustainability (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. In this course, students will learn current and best practices for planetary sustainability on an individual, institutional, regional and global level. Topics focus on reducing carbon emissions and pollution, and supporting a healthy and sustainable planet. These will include clean-energy technology, water conservation, agricultural-based strategies for sustainable farming, management and preservation of natural resources, natural building techniques and clean transportation systems. (Available for General Education, E Lifelong Learning.)
SUST 401. Applied Sustainability (3)
Prerequisite: SUST 310 or permission of instructor. Preparatory: SUST 300. This course offers a practical application of sustainability knowledge and practices to address a community problem. Environmental, equity and economic impacts must be considered in performing situation analyses and developing recommendations. Course provides the opportunity to apply sustainability knowledge in a consulting capacity and evaluate alternative solutions taking sustainability considerations into account. Affords students a community service learning experience. Available for graduate credit.