Liberal Studies

The B.A. Degree in Liberal Studies

Liberal Studies is a B.A. degree program within the College of Arts and Sciences. It is a 60 credit major with maximum flexibility. Students choose courses from across the University to satisfy major requirements in Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Analysis (35 credits). The interdisciplinary foundation of Liberal Studies rests on five required courses (25 credits) including, 

Introduction to Liberal Studies (5 credits)This course features the electronic portfolio project to focus interdisciplinary study and encourage metacognition. Students articulate the relation of humanities and sciences to human welfare. Other topics include: leadership, freedom, education, personal identity and responsibility, diversity, and global citizenship.  

Leadership for Community Engagement (5 credits) Liberal Studies majors are expected to demonstrate responsible civic engagement, so this course features a service-learning project where students work with organizations who are helping under-represented populations, while critically discussing the meaning of service. 

Methods of Interdisciplinary Research (5 credits) An introduction to the interdisciplinary research process. Each student executes an original research project based on their individual interests, with guidance from the professor. 

Special Topics: Interdisciplinary Project (5 credits) Features a significant interdisciplinary project in which students research and report on their own position on an issue within the topic. Topics vary by term. This year’s topic is “Rebels and Outsiders: Race, Reproduction and Sexual Deviance in the U.S.” 

Senior Synthesis (5 credits) In close consultation with the professor, students are mentored to execute the most significant scholarly or creative work of their career, based on their personal, academic and professional interests. 

Electives (35 Credits) 

  • Humanities (15 credits). Choose any upper level courses   
  • Social Sciences (10 credits). Choose any upper level courses 
  • Natural Sciences (5 credits). Choose any level courses 
  • Math, Statistics, Computers (5 credits). Choose any level courses  

See SU Catalog for details 

   

What can I do with a Liberal Studies Degree?

Alex Dzwonkowski,
Employed by Google
Nathan Wheeler,
4th grade teacher
Sara Stockett,
Online marketing specialist
Chris Holway,
Merchant accounts director
Bryan Dalton,
Juvenile Counselor, WA State
Amanda Hoelzle,
General Manager
Alexis Clark,  
Pursuing MSW from USC
Rhiannon Cadelinia,
3rd grade teacher
Rachel Adams,  
Manager, The Spanish Table
Emily Cohen,  
Non-profit developer

 SEE MORE GRADS...    

 

Declaring a Major in Liberal Studies

It’s simple! Come to the Liberal Studies Program (Casey 4th) and complete a form declaring your major in Liberal Studies. You will be assigned a faculty advisor right away. And you will be encouraged to introduce yourself to Dr. Sven Arvidson, director of Liberal Studies. 

Majors Choose from  Over 100 Courses to Fulfill Requirements

In addition to 5 required courses (25 credits) taught by Liberal Studies faculty, majors choose 35 credits in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

Typical Choices

Law, Literature & Society ● History of Film ● Principles of Accounting ● Modern Japan ● American Short Story ● Statistical Thinking ● Global Climate Change ● The Art of Web Design ● Intro to Filmmaking ● Writing Fiction ● Principles of Biology● Sexual Politics ● Writing, Comics & Graphic Novels ● Abnormal Psychology ● Soul of Sport ● American Women Writers ● Environmental Ethics ● Acting II ● Buddhist Philosophy ● Culture and Personality ● Living in the Environment ● Worlds of Islam ● Screenwriting ● Chemistry, Food & Nutrition ● The Evolving Presidency ● World Geography ● Critical Issues in Education ● Race and Ethnicity ● Astronomy ● Personal Identity ● General Chemistry ● Anthropology of Religion ● Philosophy and Literature ● Native American Encounters ● Graphic Communication ● Art of Interviewing ● Writers Workshop Abroad ● Juvenile Justice ● Alcohol and Drug Addiction ● New Media Communication ● Business Statistics ● Chinese Politics ● Psychology of Gender ● Religion and Science ● Race and Law ● Nonviolence & Community Organizing ● Murder Movies & Copycat Crime ● Human Growth & Development ● Apocalypse Then and Now ● Social Psychology ● Religion and Ecology ● Teaching Diverse Classrooms ● Children and Nature ● American Political Thought ● Macro-Economics ● Computer Games: Design and Effect ● and more…