Please note: This is a more generic liberal studies program, distinct from Humboldt's other liberal studies degree options in Child Development (Liberal Studies), Child Development / Elementary Education, Liberal Studies / Elementary Education), or Recreation Administration (Liberal Studies) .
Academic Advisor
Sharon K. Ferrett, Ph.D.
SBS 133 - AIR Center
ferrett@humboldt.edu
(707) 826-5111
The major in liberal studies gives students the means to foster intellectual
understanding, human compassion, and progressive action.
Students complete lower and upper division general education courses with somewhat
narrower options for lower division.
The core of the liberal studies major consists of six upper division courses
which examine, contextualize and contest fundamental concepts in liberal thought.
Students choose either an approved HSU minor or a concentration which consists
of five courses devoted to more intensive study and critique of liberal thought
as it relates more particularly to the theory and practice of such notions
as human rights, scientific progress, and creative expression.
Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester units, 40 of which must be
at the upper division level.
Completion of all lower and upper division General Education requirements plus the addition of the requirements listed below. For a listing of all GE requirements see the section of this catalog titled “Planning your Bachelor’s Degree.”
Language Study
Choose one of the following:
FREN 107 French Level III
FREN 250 French Intermediate Conversation
GERM 107 German Level III
GERM 250 German Intermediate Conversation
SPAN 107 Intermediate Spanish Level III
SPAN 108 Level III for Spanish Speakers
SPAN 250 Spanish Intermediate Conversation, or three years of language study
in high school
Arts and Humanities
Nine to twelve units from at least three different disciplines. Choose at least
one course from the arts (Art, Music, Theatre) and at least one from humanities
(Communication, English, Modern Languages & Cultures, Philosophy, Religious
Studies, Women's Studies).
Choose six courses, two from each area. If approved upper division general education courses are chosen from Areas B, C, and D, (see general catalog) completion of this category will also satisfy the general education upper division component.
Alternative Traditions of Thought
ANTH 315 Sex, Gender & Globalization
ENGL 305 Postcolonial Perspectives: Literature of the Developing
World
ENGL 420 Advanced Topics in Critical Theory
ES 323 Patterns of Pan-Africanism
NAS 320 Native American Psychology
PHIL 385 History of Philosophy: China
PHIL 386 History of Philosophy: India
PHIL 475/WS 375 Postmodern Philosophies
RS 363 Mysticism & Madness
RS 391 Mystics of Islam
WS 311 Feminist Theory & Practice
WS 315 Sex, Gender, & Globalization
Foundations of Liberal Thought
COMM 414 Rhetorical Theory
ECON 306 Economics
of the Developing World
ECON 308 History of Economic Thought
GERM 305 Marx, Nietzsche, Freud & German Literature
PHIL 303 Theories of Ethics
PHIL 304 Philosophy of Sex & Love
PHIL 380 History of Philosophy:
Pre-Socratics through Aristotle
PHIL 382 History of Philosophy: Renaissance through the Rationalist
PHIL 383 History of Philosophy: Empiricists & Kant
Western Traditions in a Global Context
GEOG 300 Global Awareness
GEOG/ES 304 Migrations & Mosaics
MATH 301 Mathematics & Culture an Historical Perspective
MUS 302 Music in World Culture
PHYX 304 The Cosmos
1. Art, Aesthetics and the Creative Process
Five courses required, at least one from each of the following three areas.
Alternative Aesthetics
ENGL 305 Postocolonial Perspectives: Literature of the Developing
World
ENGL 306 The Modern Tradition
FREN 317 Modern Francophone Literature
MUS 301 Rock: An American Music
MUS 302 Music in World Culture
MUS 305 Jazz: An American Art Form
NAS 310 Native American Literaure
NAS 392 Native American Film
RS 362 Wisdom and Craft
SPAN 346 Borges & the Contemporary Spanish American
Short Story
SPAN 347 The “Boom” of the Latin American Novel
TFD 303 World Dance Expressions
WS/FREN/GERM/SPAN 306 Sex, Class, & Culture: Gender & Ethnic
Issues in International Short Stories
Theory
ART 301 The Artist
ENGL 320 Practical Criticism
PHIL 301 Reflections on Art
PSYC 301 Psychology of Creativity
SPAN 340 Intro to the Analysis of Hispanic Literature
TFD 313 Film Theory & Criticism
Western Masterpieces
ART 300 Major Monuments of Art
ART 310 Topics in Aegean, Greek & Roman Art
ART 311 Topics in Early Christian, Byzantine & Medieval
Art
ART 312 Topics in Italian Renaissance Art
ART 313 Topics in Northern Renaissance Art
ART 314 Topics in Baroque & Rococo Art
ART 315 Topics in 19th Century Art
ART 316 Topics in Early 20th Century Art
ART 317 Topics in Late Modern & Contemporary Art
ART 318 Topics in the History of Photography
ENGL 306 The Modern Tradition
ENGL 330 American Literature
ENGL 340 Approaches to Shakespeare
ENGL 342 Special Topics in Shakespeare
ENGL 350 British Literature
FREN 315 Masterpieces: Middle Ages to Voltaire
FREN 316 Masterpieces: French Revolution to Camus
FREN 318 French Poetry
GERM 315 Modern German Literature I
GERM 316 Modern German Literature II
SPAN 343 The Golden Age
SPAN 344 Modern Hispanic Theatre Workshop
SPAN 345 Hispanic Cinema
SPAN 349 Contemporary Spanish Novel
TFD 305 Art of Film: Beginning to 1950’s
TFD 306 Art of Film: Beginning to Present
*Note that additional course work, e.g. Institutions, is required for graduation. Consult with the Liberal Studies adivsor.
2. Human Rights and Social Justice
Five courses required, no more than two in any one discipline.
COMM 315 Communication & Social
Advocacy
ES 325 From Civil Rights to Black Power
ES 343 Japanese American and the Concentration Camps
ES 354 Minorities, American Institutions & Social Service
HIST 309 Revolution, Reform, Response and
SPAN 309 Revolution, Reform, Response and
WS 309 Revolution, Reform, Response
[counts as three courses]
NAS 336 Nature & Issues
of Genocide
NAS 364 Federal
Indian Law I
PSCI 327 Radical
Political Thought
PSCI 410 American
Constitutional Law: Freedom & Power
PSCI 464 Technology & Development
SOC 303 Race
and Ethnic Relations
SOC 308 Sociology
of Altruism & Compassion
WS 303 Third
World Women’s Movements
3. Science and Technology
Five courses required, no more than three in any one area.
Science and Society
ANTH 316 Anthropology and Development
CHEM 305 Environmental Chemistry
CIS 309 Computers & Social Change
ENGR 308 Environmental Ethics
OCN 306 Technology & the Environment
PHIL/WLDF 302 Global Environmental Issues
SOC 320 Social Ecology
Traditions of Scientific Thought
AHSS 309 Darwin & Darwinism
BIOL 301 History of Biology
PHIL 425 Philosophy of Science
PHYX 300 Frontiers of Modern Physical Science
CATEGORY IV: ELECTIVES
Total units for graduation is 120, at least 40 of which must be upper division.