The Interdisciplinary Thematic Emphasis

What is the Interdisciplinary Thematic Emphasis?

The Interdisciplinary Thematic Emphasis is designed for Liberal Studies majors who have interests that go beyond the confines of any single CSUF department. With the help of Liberal Studies advisors, these students design their own study plans and take courses from several academic departments centered on an interdisciplinary theme. This theme may reflect an intellectual interest or prepare students for later professional training and specific careers. The department offers a number of advising tracks that help students organize their coursework.

What types of career opportunities are available for Liberal Studies majors who choose the Interdisciplinary Thematic Emphasis?

The Interdisciplinary Thematic Emphasis has long served students as preparation for  special education teaching , middle school teaching, including the Foundational Level Math Credential and the Foundational Level General Science Credential , law school, advanced study in business or other graduate degree programs or professional schools, as well as careers in the health sciences, education, ministry, or the environmental sciences. This emphasis also attracts returning students who already have successful careers but want a well-rounded and personally enriching education. For a list of the professions or positions of recent alumni, click here .

What are the requirements of the Interdisciplinary Thematic Emphasis?

In addition to the ten core courses (30 units) that all Liberal Studies majors take, students who have declared the Interdisciplinary Thematic Emphasis take six elective courses (18 units) that are organized around an interdisciplinary theme. To ensure interdisciplinarity, students may take no more than three elective courses (9 units) from a single CSUF department and no more than five elective courses (15 units) from any one of the three knowledge areas of Liberal Studies: arts & humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. A student's theme and elective coursework must be approved by a Liberal Studies advisor prior to enrolling in courses.

Students have explored such themes as current international problems, current domestic issues, economics and the environment, humanity and its natural environment, regionalism and marketing, cultural heritage studies, art and religion, the religious development of children, creative use of leisure, religion and economic attitudes, the cultural history of shame, social tensions of modernity as expressed in fiction and social science, etc.

Students also synthesize and apply their knowledge through an interdisciplinary research project related to their theme, carried out by either participating in the Interdisciplinary Thematic Research Seminar (LBST 482) or by taking an indpendent study course (499) with a professor of their own choosing.

To download the requirements of the Liberal Studies major under the Interdisciplinary Thematic Emphasis, click here

To declare your Interdisciplinary Thematic Emphasis, complete this form (top portion and Emphasis section) and send it to Jennifer Schorz at jschorz@fullerton.edu