Liberal Studies (LS)

LS 200 Self, Place, and Knowing: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Inquiry (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: GE Area 1A/A2* or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to Liberal Studies, American Studies, the practice of interdisciplinary inquiry, and the culmination of the first-year experience sequence. Project-based focus on different ways of understanding oneself in relationship the University, and San Francisco and the larger Bay Area. Emphasis on experiential learning through mapping (exploring, navigating, understanding, and cataloging). [CSL may be available]
(This course is offered as LS 200 and AMST 200. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

LS 209 Physical Sciences for Elementary School Teachers (Units: 3)

Designed for prospective elementary and middle school (K-8) teachers. Understanding through inquiry the structure and property of matter and principles of motion and energy. Lecture, 2 units; laboratory, 1 unit.

LS 300GW Perspectives on Liberal Studies - GWAR (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas 1A/A2 and E. Priority enrollment for Liberal Studies majors.

Basic preparation for interdisciplinary study. Draws on language arts, mathematics, science, social sciences, humanities, and creative arts to prepare students for advanced work in Liberal Studies and careers requiring breadth and depth of knowledge. (ABC/NC grading only) [CSL may be available]

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

LS 304 Making Comics (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to the hands-on making of comics. Focus on in-class exercises and small projects in making comics alongside analysis of comics. Promotes understanding of how to communicate in comics and discover working methods that best work for them.
(This course is offered as LS 304, CMX 304, and HUM 304. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

LS 310 Science and Culture for Future Elementary School Teachers (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: GE Areas 1A/A2*, 1B/A3*, 1C/A1*, 2/B4* all with grades of C- or better; LS 209 or GE Areas B1 and B3 or permission of the instructor.

Designed for prospective elementary/middle school (K-8) teachers. Inquiry-based interdisciplinary understanding of the physical sciences, e.g. principles of motion and energy, through their examination as a cultural enterprise.

Course Attributes:

• 5UD: Science
• UD-B: Physical Life Science

LS 312 Climate Issues and Activism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas 1A/A2*, 1B/A3*, 1C/A1*, and 2/B4* all with grades of C- or better.

Learn about environmental issues and confront them through creative practice. Develop a relationship with the world and examine personal values when faced with difficult situations such as the climate crisis. Discuss the climate crisis and environmental issues specifically as they relate to California. Be introduced to activism and change makers, and develop a climate campaign to inform and encourage action. Activity. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
(This course is offered as DES 312, ENVS 312, and LS 312. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• Env. Sustain. & Climate Action
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

LS 317 Critical Animal Studies (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Examination of the nature of animal experiences and the various roles nonhuman animals play in human life, with a particular focus on approaches to nonhuman animals in science, art, and literature.
(This course is offered as LS 317 and HUM 317. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

LS 400 Social Sciences Core I (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

An interdisciplinary approach to the scientific study of human social behavior. Exploration of the similarities and differences between the social science disciplines of anthropology, psychology, and sociology with respect to their subject matter, concepts, models, and research approaches.

LS 401 International Development and Resource Justice (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas 1A/A2*, 1B/A3*, 1C/A1*, and 2/B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

An interdisciplinary study of international development, focusing on resources, community impacts, and environmental sustainability. Discussion of some of the key questions and concepts from history, economics, geography, and political science that are central to the study of socio-environmental issues, and an exploration of several case studies of international environmental problems. Analysis of complex issues such as oil and mineral extraction, deforestation, agricultural production, and climate change. Includes a research project focusing on the development of a resource and location of the student's choice.

Course Attributes:

• 4UD: Social/Behavioral Science
• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Env. Sustain. & Climate Action
• Global Perspectives

LS 402 Introduction to Human Rights Education for Teachers and Local Communities (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas 1A/A2*, 1B/A3*, 1C/A1*, and 2/B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to Human Rights Education for teachers and local communities. Engage in the evolving field of Human Rights and enhance knowledge, skills, and commitment to a life of freedom and dignity. Examination of United Nations declarations, treaties, and conventions, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Learn to produce hands-on pedagogical materials on human rights that can be incorporated into school curricula and how to spread awareness of peace and freedom into local communities based on students' real-life experiences. [CSL may be available]

Course Attributes:

• 4UD: Social/Behavioral Science
• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

LS 403 Performance and Pedagogy of the Oppressed for Educators (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: GE Area 1C/A1*.

Examine the theories of Augusto Boal and Paulo Freire and their application for educators and community activists. [CSL may be available]
(This course is offered as LS 403 and COMM 557. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

LS 404 Social Science and Medicine (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas 1A/A2*, 1B/A3*, 1C/A1*, and 2/B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

An interdisciplinary approach to social and emotional well-being around the world with discussions about how culture, ethnicity, class, gender, and access to resources affect public health. Focus on today's main global issues: poverty, climate change, violence, immigration, mental health, opioid addiction/dependence, and education. Requires addresses local, regional, and national health disparities, as well as health universals in order to make comparisons between the United States and other countries.

Course Attributes:

• 4UD: Social/Behavioral Science
• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

LS 410 Social Justice Themes in the Interdisciplinary Humanities (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; and GE Area C2*.

Examination of the interdisciplinary humanities. Exploration of a particular social justice theme in historical, literary, philosophical, and artistic texts authored by racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities. Focus on how social justice themes have been addressed, represented, and analyzed using integrative approaches in the interdisciplinary humanities.

Course Attributes:

• 3UD: Arts or Humanities
• UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities

LS 411 Feminist Visual Culture and Anti-Objectification in Schools (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3* and B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.

Explore the ways feminist cultural works (theory, art, film, performance, new media, popular culture, music videos, and social media) can be applied to raise awareness and educate students about the potential harms of objectification to create more inclusive and safe spaces both inside and outside classrooms. (Plus-minus ABC/NC, CR/NC allowed)

LS 426 Thought and Image: Creative Arts (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ENG 114 or equivalent.

Works in the creative arts and humanities studied in terms of the unique ways the meanings, values, and forms reflect their cultures of origin. Works from at least two global cultures will be included.

LS 427 Social Movements & the Arts for Future Teachers (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: GE Area 1A/A2.

Exploration of cultural and social movements in the US and in international contexts through body techniques, sound, and visual expression.

Course Attributes:

• Social Justice

LS 428 From Local to Global: California Interdisciplinary Visual Cultures (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Explore how California interdisciplinary artists from local communities have gained global importance and prominence with their creative innovations and can inspire students to create research-based cultural works. (Plus-minus ABC/NC, CR/NC allowed)

LS 430 Future of the Forests (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas 1A/A2*, 1B/A3*, 1C/A1*, 2/B4* all with grades of C- or better; one college-level biology course*; or permission of the instructor.

Ecological and social dimensions of Western-Hemisphere forests; forest ecology and science; socio-political relations of industries to forest decline and with minority forest dwellers and laborers; sustainability and the future role of forests.

Course Attributes:

• 5UD: Science
• UD-B: Physical Life Science
• Env. Sustain. & Climate Action
• Global Perspectives

LS 440 Mind, Body, and Culture (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas 1A/A2*, 1B/A3*, 1C/A1*, and 2/B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Interdisciplinary exploration of how our bodies, emotions, and internal biases affect our thinking and influence how we respond to the world. Investigation of how our worlds and cultures affect our bodies and minds.
(This course is offered as LS 440 and HUM 440. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• 5UD: Science
• UD-B: Physical Life Science

LS 450 Banned! Contested Protest Literature in Schools (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas 1A/A2*, 1B/A3*, 1C/A1*, and 2/B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.

Examination and analysis of protest literary and cinematic texts that have been contested or banned in U.S. public schools. Evaluation of individual literary texts and cinematic adaptations for their literary, cinematic, and pedagogical merits. Review of the history, socio-political contexts, and educational impacts of literary censorship in U.S. public schools. Consideration of how literary texts are selected or removed from school curriculums. Emphasis on the social injustices the literary texts address, and how these texts have raised awareness of particular social injustices. Discussion of how literary and cinematic texts authored by racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities have advanced social justice.

Course Attributes:

• 3UD: Arts or Humanities
• UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

LS 604 Advanced Comics Making (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: LS 304/CMX 304.

Builds on the making and analytical skills covered in LS 304/CMX 304. Project-based course for developing skills in communicating through comic form, culminating in the production of a significant work ready for publication.
(This course is offered as LS 604, HUM 604, and CMX 604. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

LS 690 Liberal Studies Senior Seminar (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to senior standing and LS 300GW.

Interdisciplinary theory, research and practice. Examination of key questions and complex problems from multiple perspectives through the preparation of a substantial piece of work.

LS 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; Liberal Studies majors; and permission of the instructor.

Independent inquiry into a specific interdisciplinary issue or problem formulated by the student and approved and supervised by a member of the Liberal Studies faculty. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.