Minor in Liberal Studies

While the specialization that comes with many college majors is desirable as preparation for particular careers, the Liberal Studies Minor provides the breadth of knowledge, critical thinking, and writing and communication skills that are sought by many employers in general. Students who minor in Liberal Studies are expected to attain a general understanding of significant concepts, themes and figures in the three general subject areas covered by the major: the arts and humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. Students learn to analyze, evaluate, and apply significant concepts, themes and arguments from these three areas  Students should be able to recognize interdisciplinary connections among the three subject areas and synthesize parallel developments within them. They also improve their ability to communicate effectively by being able to write clearly and correctly.

The Liberal Studies Minor requires 15 units of coursework. Grades of C (2.0) or better are required for all courses.

Course Requirements:

1. LBST 100  Introduction to the Humanities (3 units)

Interdisciplinary introduction to the humanities as a set of related disciplines that apply conceptual, critical, historical and linguistic analyses to advance our understanding of what it means to be human. Some sections may be offered in an on-line format. Meets the GE Requirement in Area C.2 (Introduction to Humanities).

2. LBST 101  Introduction to the Social Sciences (3 units)

Covers major topics in the social sciences in order to understand their systematic study of human behavior, to realize the connections among particular issues and approaches, and to reflect critically on modern life. Some sections may be offered in an on-line format. Meets the GE Requirement in Area D.1 (Introduction to Social Science).

3. Three upper-division Liberal Studies courses (9 units)

Although any three upper-division Liberal Studies courses will fulfill this requirement, most popular are courses that also count for GE:

LBST 310  The California Experience (3)
Seven themes in California studies. Explores the California experience through readings, films, music, and writing assignments that involve research in the arts and humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences in California. (Same as HIST 310) Meets GE Requirements in Area D.4/D.5* (Explorations in Social Sciences) and Area Z (Cultural Diversity). Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category D.1.

LBST 315  A European Tour (3)
A holistic, interdisciplinary introduction to the development of European civilization. Investigates the geographical and environmental context, the peopling of Europe, and the evolution of cultural, political, economic, and religious ideas and institutions that have shaped European identity and experience. Meets GE Requirements in Area D.4/D.5* (Explorations in Social Sciences) and Area Z (Cultural Diversity). Prerequisite: completion of GE category D.1.

LBST 322  Cross-Cultural Social Thought (3)
An interdisciplinary study of cross-cultural social thought. Investigates the varied responses that thinkers from different societies and cultures have given to enduring questions of human social existence. Meets GE Requirements in Area D.4/D.5* (Explorations in Social Sciences) and Area Z (Cultural Diversity). Prerequisite: completion of GE Category D.1.

LBST 323  Cross-Cultural Humanities (3)
Interdisciplinary exploration of the Humanities through a series of persistent questions humans have raised across cultures and historical periods. It focuses both on the commonalities of human concerns and on the diversity and uniqueness of the answers given to them. Meets GE Requirement in Area C.3/C.4* (Explorations in the Arts and Humanities) and Area Z (Cultural Diversity). Prerequisites: completion of G.E. categories C.1 and C.2.

LBST 330  History of Early Science and Technology (3)
Science and technology in the development of human culture, especially the interactions among science, technology and society in ancient Greece and China, medieval and Renaissance Europe, and Islam. (Same as HIST 330) Meets GE Requirement in Area B.5 (Implications & Explorations of Mathematics and Natural Sciences). Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Categories B.1 and B.2.

LBST 331 History of Science: Copernicus to the Present (3)
Science from the 16th century to the present especially the scientific revolutions of the 17th and 20th centuries and the interaction between science, technology and culture. (Same as HIST 331) Meets GE Requirement in Area B.5 (Implications & Explorations of Mathematics and Natural Sciences). Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category B.2.

LBST 333  Evolution and Creation (3)
Interdisciplinary study of evolutionary biology's impact on culture in context of religious doctrines of creation. Evolutionary theory and religious and philosophical reactions from Darwin to the present, including relevant educational and legal contexts. (Same as PHIL 333) Meets GE Requirement in Area B.5 (Implications & Explorations of Mathematics and Natural Sciences). Prerequisites: completion of G.E. Categories B.2 and C.2.

LBST 335  Science on the Silver Screen (3)
A critical examination of representations of science and scientists in film.  Themes include images of scientists, the relationship between science and society, depictions of scientific personalities, and the emotional lives of scientists. Meets GE Requirement in Area C.3/C.4* (Explorations of Arts and Humanities). Prerequisite: completion of GE category C.2.

LBST 337  Science, Technology, and Society (3)

Interdisciplinary examination of the relationships between science, technology, and social institutions and structures. Emphasis on developing and maintaining scientific literacy, understanding personal and public risk assessment, and participating in civic discussions of science policy. Meets GE Requirement in Area E (Lifelong Learning). Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Categories B.1 and B.2.

LBST 340 Food in the Social Sciences (3)

Interdisciplinary exploration of the study of food in the social sciences. The meanings of food in the construction of society and culture across time and space. One or more sections may be offered in any online format. Meets GE Category D.4/D.5* (Explorations in Social Sciences). Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category D.1.

* Depending on the student's catalog year.