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 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 12-18 units per semester. The program includes field and lab experiences in elementary classrooms guided by education faculty, as well as the opportunity for participation in a close-knit learning community. The ITEP-Freshman option requires 134 units for a B.A. degree and Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential.
Program Requirements
Track A. Elementary Education (134 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 120/L/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 120/L/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 (13 units)
ELPS 203 Urban Education in American Society (3)
ENGL 303/L Introduction to Language, Grammar and Linguistics for Teachers and Lab (2/1)
LRS 200/L Liberal Studies Seminar and Lab: Learning, Thinking, and Doing Physical Science (3/1)
MATH 211 Statistics and Probability for Elementary and Middle School Teachers (3)
Year Two: Second Semester (17 units)
BIOL 102CS/LCS 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 (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 304/KIN 304/MUS 304/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 (141 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 120/L/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 120/L/MUS 120/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 (17 units)
BIOL 102CS/LCS Biological Concepts and Lab (3/1)
ENGL 303/L Introduction to Language, Grammar and Linguistics for Teachers and Lab (2/1)
LRS 200/L Liberal Studies Seminar and Lab: Learning, Thinking, and Doing Physical Science (3/1)
MATH 211 Statistics and Probability for Elementary and Middle School Teachers (3)
Special Education
SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3)
Year Two: Second Semester (13 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 (3 units)
Candidates in Mild/Moderate Disabilities
SPED 404 Teaching Diverse Learners with Social-Communication Disorders, Including Autism (3)
Candidates in Moderate/Severe Disabilities
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 (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)
Candidates in Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Candidates in Moderate/Severe Disabilities
SPED 504MS Teaching Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3) (Fall only)
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)
Interdisciplinary Specialization Course (3 units)
Interdisciplinary Specialization Course 3 (3)
See list of approved Specializations below.
Candidates in Mild/Moderate Disabilities
SPED 403MM Early Field Experience/Seminar in Special Education (3)
SPED 406 K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3)
Candidates in Moderate/Severe Disabilities
SPED 403MS Early Field Experience/Seminar in Special Education (3)
SPED 505MS Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with Moderate to Severe Disabilities (3) (Spring only)
Year Four: First Semester (17 units)
ART 304/KIN 304/MUS 304/TH 304 (1/1/1/1)
GEOL 406LRS Liberal Studies Science Experience Capstone (1)
Candidates in Mild/Moderate Disabilities
SPED 402 Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavior Support (3)
SPED 501 Special Education Assessment of Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
SPED 502MM Reading/Language Arts Instruction for Diverse K-12 Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
SPED 503MM Curriculum and Instruction in Math and Content Subjects for Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
Candidates in Moderate/Severe Disabilities
SPED 402 Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavior Support (3)
SPED 406 K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3)
SPED 536 Methods for Young Children with Disabilities: Motor and Adaptive Skills (3) (Fall only)
SPED 581 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3) (Fall only)
Year Four: Second Semester (15 units)
Select one course from:
GEOG 417 California for Educators (3)
or HIST 417 California for Educators (3)
Candidates in Mild/Moderate Disabilities
SPED 416 Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with Their Families (3)
SPED 580MM Student Teaching and Seminar in Mild/Moderate Disabilities (6)
SPED 580S Advanced Specialist Fieldwork Analysis in Education of Learners with IEPS (3)
Candidates in Moderate/Severe Disabilities
SPED 416 Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with Their Families (3)
SPED 580MS Student Teaching and Seminar in Moderate/Severe Disabilities (6)
SPED 580S Advanced Specialist Fieldwork Analysis in Education of Learners with IEPS (3)
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 Native Peoples and Cultures (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 (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 Lab (1)
ASTR 352 Current Developments in Astronomy (3)
ASTR 352L Current Developments in Astronomy Lab (1)
CHEM 110 Chemistry in Action (3)
CHEM 110L Chemistry in Action Lab (1)
PHYS 305 Physics of Music (3)
PHYS 305L Physics of Music Laboratory (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 316CS/LCS Plant Biology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 317/L Microbes and Society and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 323 Plants and Animals of Southern California (3)
BIOL 325 Life in the Sea (3)
BIOL 325L Life in the Sea Lab (1)
BIOL 362 Genetics and Society (3)
BIOL 362L Genetics and Society Lab (1)
GEOL 101 Geology of Planet Earth (3)
GEOL 102 Geology of Planet Earth Lab (1)
GEOL 110 The Fossil Record of Ancient Life on Earth (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)
F. Childhood Studies
1. Child and Adolescent Development (3 units)
2. Youth Literature (3 units)
ENGL 429 Literature for Adolescents (3)
3. Topics in Childhood Studies (3 units)
LRS 425A-Z Selected Topics in Childhood Studies (3)
General Education
Liberal Studies majors in Teacher Preparation options satisfy General Education requirements by completion of the major. In addition, students must complete 3 units of coursework to meet the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement. If taken, one of the following courses in the major will also meet the Ethnic Studies (ES) requirement: AAS 210, AAS 220, AAS 345, AFRS 161, AFRS 245, AFRS 272, AFRS 366, AFRS 417, AFRS 420, CAS 201, CAS 309, CAS 369, CHS 201, CHS 345, CHS 417, CHS 430 or CHS 480/F.
Contact
Department of Liberal Studies
Chair: Ranita Chatterjee
Education Administration (EA) 100
(818) 677-3300
Student Learning Outcomes
The Department of Liberal Studies 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.
- Access, evaluate and make use of a range of informational resources.
- Demonstrate a depth of critical thinking.