Liberal Studies, BA (LIBLSTUD-BA)

Program Description

The Liberal Studies major is a flexible interdisciplinary degree that draws on courses from all of the schools and programs in the College of Liberal Arts. It allows students to design a program of study that is both broad in scope and narrow in concentration. It is, therefore, ideal for students whose interests encompass more than one liberal arts field and who desire greater flexibility in their programs of study. It is particularly well suited for those who, for whatever reason, change their major focus partway through their course of study yet aim to graduate in a timely fashion. Transfer students may also benefit from its flexible interdisciplinary curriculum.

The Liberal Studies major provides a strong foundation in core areas of critical thinking, writing proficiency, and interpersonal communication. The degree also requires one “professional component” course, such as computer science or business, to enhance readiness for the workplace. Armed with such skills, Liberal Studies students are well equipped to adapt to the vicissitudes of constantly changing economic conditions.

Students have the option of completing the program requirements for the major in Liberal Studies in a fully online delivery mode. This online option is more limited in scope than the regular program of study, but it is an option for students who need the flexibility of an online degree.

Major Requirements

Core (12 hours): One course in each of the three Liberal Arts areas of specialization, and an additional course in one area.

Humanities: Classics, Communication, English, History, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Religion
Fine Arts: Art, Art History, Music, Theatre, Dance, Motion Pictures
Social Sciences: Anthropology, Geography, Economics, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology, Urban Studies (History may also count as a Social Science)

Concentration (15 hours): Five upper-division (3000-4000 level) courses from within one of the three Liberal Arts areas of specialization. Two of these courses must be writing intensive. These 15 hours may come from one discipline, and so constitute the equivalent of a minor, or from several disciplines within the area.

Related Requirements

Interdisciplinary Studies (3 hours): One course whose subject matter is taught from an interdisciplinary perspective, including African and African American Studies, International Studies, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and other courses as approved by the Liberal Studies program coordinator.

Professional Component (3 hours): One course that enhances workplace readiness or career advancement, including Business, Communication, Computer Science, Education, Public Administration, and other courses as approved by the Liberal Studies program coordinator.

For More Information

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 3 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy three additional credit hours in the Additional Core Courses category.

Element A - English Composition: 3 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100. Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course.

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

· One Global Inquiry (GI) course

· Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

· One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 3 Credit Hours

Element D - Social Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Element E - Natural Sciences: 8 Credit Hours

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

II. Major Requirements: 27 Credit Hours

Core Curriculum: 12 Credit Hours

Four Core Area Courses:

Fine Arts
Humanities
Social Sciences

Students must take at least one course in each of the three areas and two courses in one area.

Concentration: 15 Credit Hours

Five courses in one of the 3 core areas

All must be 3000-4000 level courses
Two must be Intensive writing courses

III. Related Requirements: 6 Credit Hours

1 interdisciplinary studies course Credit Hour(s): 3
1 professional component course Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. College Requirements: 18-22 Credit Hours

Foreign Language: 12-16 Credit Hours

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one language:
Arabic, Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, American Sign Language or other.

Methods of Inquiry

PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods - One course from approved list Credit Hour(s): 3

V. Electives: 27-31 Credit Hours

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.