Liberal Studies

Students will critically consider the historical and philosophical foundations of education by analyzing the purposes, structures, and functions of schools whilst centering the intersectional standpoints of various placed-at risk groups. Students will develop the knowledge and dispositions to empower themselves as reflective, creative, and transformative educators (3 units).

Offered Fall, Spring, Summer

Overview of physical, cognitive, social and emotional development from conception through adolescence. Students will explore and reflect on conceptual and theoretical theories and methods as well as best practices for working with children and families in diverse/pluralistic communities.

Offered Fall, Spring, Summer

Introductory course utilizes a service-learning approach to explore culturally and linguistically responsive teaching and learning environments in urban elementary schools. Students will observe, participate and reflect throughout the course with linkages to learning outcomes. Requires 30 hours of service.

Offered Fall, Spring

Prerequisite: California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Certificate of Clearance, current negative TB documentation and scores for all three sections of the CBEST. Provides Liberal Studies majors with planned, structured field experiences in classrooms at the elementary school level (K-6). A minimum of 30 hours of structured, documented observation/participation in public elementary schools (K-6) is required. CR/NC grading.

Offered Infrequent

Prerequisite: LBS 203 is required. Students will explore the themes of social justice education including the complex relationship between education and the multicultural society of the U.S. They will analyze social identities and how discrimination based on these factors translates into school structures, policies and practices.

Offered All terms, Infrequent

Prerequisites: LBS 301 and CCTC Certificate of Clearance, Negative TB Documentation and scores from all 3 sections of CBEST are required. Restricted to majors. Corequisite: LBS 303 is recommended. Students observe and think critically about culturally and linguistically responsive teaching and learning environments to develop knowledge of teaching and classroom management strategies and create inclusive, productive and well-structured learning environments. Requires 30 hours of observation in a public school.

Offered All terms, Fall, Spring

Prerequisite: LBS 301 Co-requisite: LBS 302 is recommended. Restricted to majors. Examine theory, research and practice on teaching and learning in diverse classrooms. Using knowledge of educational research, child and adolescent development, and data on students and their communities, students analyze, design, and differentiate instruction to engage and support all learners.

Offered Infrequent

Cultural dimensions of literacy and language acquisition in early years. Strategies for supporting heritage language, teaching comprehensive family literacy, English language development, and valuing culture in home and school. 10 hours of fieldwork in an urban setting with English learners.

Offered Fall, Spring

Practidce, principles and strategies in mathematics ages 0-5. Number sense, classification, measurement and geometry, patterning, mathematical reasoning; tools and manipulatives for teaching mathematics and pre-numeracy; planning, teaching, and evaluating a lesson. 10 hours of fieldwork in an urban preschool setting.

Offered Fall, Spring, Summer

Advanced grammar and composition for students preparing to be elementary school teachers. Focuses on professional writing modes and tasks for educators, including analytical educational writing, literature reviews, case studies, classroom observations, and school communications.

Offered Infrequent

Prerequisite: Admittance to the Integrated Option Program. Designed to develop students' mathematical content knowledge and pedagogical skills necessary for the effective teaching of elementary mathematics in the urban classroom.

Offered Infrequent

Prerequisite(s): LBS 203. Students will critically analyze the experiences of diverse students in U. S. PreK-12 schools by examining the structural and pedagogical implications on students' inter-sectional identities. They will draw on theories about child/adolescent development, learning, and differentiation to design instruction to effectively teach diverse students using the principles of social justice education.

Offered Fall, Spring

Examination of the California experience through three interrelated social science disciplines: history, geography, and government. Specifically focuses upon academic content which prepares students to teach the broad range of K-8 California Content Standards.

Offered Fall, Spring

Prerequisite: Admittance to the Integrated Option Program. Students develop content knowledge and pedagogical methods .in the natural sciences and technologies with an emphasis on astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography. Inquiry-based teaching, disciplinary skills (including the scientific method), and interdisciplinary knowledge (crosscutting concepts) will be explored and students will reflect on the impact of science and technology on society.

Offered Fall, Spring

Prerequisite: LBS 302; must have senior standing. Students will investigate key ideas from the California Curriculum Frameworks and Academic Content Standards. They will demonstrate competence in each of the major multiple subject matter content areas by creating a website portfolio, substantiating their learning each area. Students will also demonstrate an understanding of lesson planning and complete 10 hours of observation and participation in urban school setting.

Offered Fall, Spring

Prerequisite: Admittance to Phase 3 of the Credential. Co-requisite: TED 437 is required. This capstone is designed to link theory and practice; students reflect on their learning, connecting subject matter knowledge and teaching. Students substantiate their learning with a philosophy of education paper, website portfolio, and an instructional planning and teaching cycle in an elementary classroom.

Offered Fall, Spring

Co-requisite: LBS 400 is recommended. Restricted to majors. Must be a senior. Students will build the theoretical background and practical skills needed to design interdisciplinary, problem-based learning lessons with a focus on engineering and the arts. This will include inquiry teaching, STEAM and the K-8 Standards for Visual and Performing Arts.

Offered Fall, Spring, Summer

Concepts and theories of language development and literacy from birth through age five. Topics include language development, play, emergent literacy, and age-appropriate literature. Emphasis on urban, diverse and inclusive preschool settings; second language learners and exceptional learners.

Offered Fall, Spring

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) for Young Learners introduces future pK-3 educators to developmentally-appropriate curricula and experiences. A focus is placed on equitable, critical, and accessible approaches that are student-centered and holistically integrated across disciplines.

Offered Fall, Spring

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and Liberal Studies Department Chair. Independent study in a topic related to the Liberal Studies Program.

Offered Infrequent

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and Liberal Studies Department Chair. A course in a topic related to the Liberal Studies Program of special interest to faculty and students for which no current course exists.

Offered As needed

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and Liberal Studies department Chair. Fieldwork experience related to the Liberal Studies Program in settings other than public schools. CR/NC grading.

Offered Infrequent