Liberal Studies – Day
Liberal Studies major | Leadership and Public Service minor

Dr. Lawrence Lujan, Acting Director, (650) 508-3780, llujan@ndnu.edu

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies is interdisciplinary in nature, involving coursework from the humanities, the arts, and the sciences. It is especially recommended for students intending a career in elementary education; nonetheless, candidates for the Multiple Subject Credential must now establish subject matter competence by passing the CSET exam.

Required coursework for the major is drawn from the areas of language, literature, mathematics, natural science, social science, history, humanities, the arts, physical education, and human development. At least 30 units of the courses taken in these areas must be upper-division units. The major is constructed so that students who satisfy all of the requirements for the major also satisfy most NDNU Core Curriculum Requirements.

Although we encourage students to pursue graduate study at NDNU, earning a BA degree in Liberal Studies does not guarantee admission into NDNU's teacher training programs. Students who seek an elementary teaching credential must apply to Graduate Admission and, as with all applicants, undergo screening for admission.

Students who do not intend to pursue an elementary teaching credential may complete the major by substituting advisor-approved elective courses for the required credential-related courses (e.g., ED115, ED136, EN143, HY189, PY161). Each elective course should be in the same discipline as is the credential-related course which it replaces.

Bachelor of Arts: Liberal Studies

In addition to major requirements, students must meet Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements. Courses satisfying Core Curriculum Requirements are indicated by "(CC)" after the course title.
Area Requirements 1. Language Studies (9 units)		Units
EN106 Advanced Writing		3
EN110 Linguistics		3
CM011/111 Oral Communication or TA002/102 Introduction to Oral Interpretation of Literature (CC)		3
Area Requirements 2. Mathematics (6 units)		Units
MA106A Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I (CC)		3
MA106B Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II		3
Area Requirements 3. Natural Science and Technology (7 units)		Units
Physical Science: PH009 Introduction to Physical Science (CC)		3.5
Life Science: BY005 Introduction to Biology		3.5
Area Requirements 4. Social Science (6 units)		Units
PS001 Introduction to American Government (CC)		3
PS160 World Geography		3
Area Requirements 5. History (6 units)		Units
HY163A American History, 1607 - 1877		3
HY189 California History		3
Area Requirements 6. Arts and Humanities (9 units)		Units
Literature:
EN143 Children's Literature		3
Religious Studies
RS165 Religions of the World (CC)		3
The Arts:		3
For Credential Students, three units from one of the following: AR116 Art Education Concepts (CC) MU140 Music Education Concepts (CC) TA160 Children's Theatre (CC) For Non-Credential Students: three units within the Visual and Performing Arts consisting of: One (1) content course (three units) or three units in studio/performance or concepts (CC)
Area Requirements 7. Human Development (15 units)		Units
ED115 Physical Education in the Elementary School or SO184 Teaching, Learning and Healing through Animals		3
ED136 Introduction to Education: Practicum in Teaching		3
ED191 Senior Seminar in Liberal Studies		3
PY001 Introduction to Psychology (CC)		3
PY161 Developmental Psychology: Child and Adolescent		3
Total Major Requirements		58
Other Degree Requirements* and General Electives * Other degree requirements include Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements (e.g., Career Development, U.S. History).		66
Total Unit Requirement		124

Liberal Studies Courses

ED115 Physical Education in the Elementary School (3)
Focuses on acquiring knowledge and skills necessary to teach physical education activities to elementary age children and understanding the elementary school physical education curriculum, including movement, fitness and health, growth and development, games, dance, administrative considerations, and evaluation techniques. Also, new concepts of teaching physical education including adaptive P.E. are covered. Cross-listed with PE110.

ED136 Introduction to Education: Practicum in Teaching (3)
Assists students in examining the role of the teacher at the preschool through grade 12 level. Students are placed as classroom teacher aides at the grade level of their choice for three hours per week and attend an on-campus seminar. This three-unit course satisfies the Career Development Requirement. Permission of the instructor is required. Course is required for admission to credential programs.

ED175 Resident Assistantship(3)
This course is designed with an academic dimension as an extension of training and development for RAs. It is a sequenced course and provides the ongoing skills, training, and leadership development neeed to assist students in their positions and to grow as individuals. It provides in depth discussion and training on topics concerning residential communities, including communication skills, confrontation, working with diverse groups of students, critical issues, programming, and the importance iof their roles as peer leaders. All RAs must take this course and receive a C or higher to retain their RA position.

ED180 Foundations of Leadership and Teamwork (2)

Cross-listed with CM180.  See Communication listings for course description.

ED191 Senior Seminar in Liberal Studies (3)
This capstone course for Liberal Studies major integrates skills and knowledge from previous coursework with the career perspective of the elementary classroom teacher. The value of liberal education is considered. Students develop portfolios which sample their best work and which show the relevance of that work to teaching. Students also develop a resource unit or other project in collaboration with concentration advisor. Senior standing required.

ED193 Technology Application in Education (2)

California has adopted Technology Standards that define computer-based technology use in classrooms.  This course ensures that all teacher candidates understand and are able to use appropriate computer-based technology to facilitate the teaching and learning process.  In addition to the California Level I Standards, the course covers issues surrounding technology use by society in general and education in particular.  Also, several Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs) from the California Standards of Quality Effectiveness for Professional Teacher Preparation Programs are addressed in this course.

SO184 Teaching, Learning, and Healing through Animals (3)

See Sociology listings for course description.

Leadership and Public Service Minor

Dr. Gretchen Wehrle (650)508-3659, gwehrle@ndnu.edu; Richard Watters, (650)508-3727, rwatters@ndnu.edu

The Leadership and Public Service Minor is a high quality, interdisciplinary, experiential and multicultural program that exposes undergraduates to, and prepares them for, real life leadership experiences. Students explore issues of leadership, citizenship; and social change with the context of an inquiry, experiential, and competency-based instructional design.

 

Minor Requirements		Units
CM/ED180	Foundations of Leadership and Teamwork	2
ED090/190	Facilitation Skills	1
ED197	Community Leadership Practicum	2
PL007/107	Moral Problems	3
PY/SO154	Building Community through Diversity	1
PY/SO159	Conflict Resolution	3
Choose one from the following:
CM156	Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication	3
CM161	Persuasion and Presentation	3
Choose one from the following:
ED175	Resident Assistantship	3
PL123	Law, Morality, and Society	3
PS119	State and Local Government	3
PY174	Community Psychology	4
SO102	Analyzing Social Settings	3