Mar 29, 2024  
2010-2011 General Catalog 
    
2010-2011 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Liberal Arts, BA


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Contact and Advising: Humanities and Social Sciences Advising Center
Location: Student Center 302
Phone: (435) 797-3883
FAX: (435) 797-2096
E-mail: susie.parkinson@usu.edu

Degree Offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Liberal Arts

The Liberal Arts Major offers a broad and challenging course of study in the humanities, sciences, arts, and social sciences. Through a multi-disciplinary but coherent approach to learning, the program meets the needs of students majoring in professional fields, as well as those desiring a general background for adaptability and mobility in employment. The Liberal Arts Major offers USU students the training required to be competitive and to contribute effectively in the organizations, professions, and communities of the twenty-first century.

This major allows the student to develop an individualized curriculum in consultation with the program advisor (Student Center 302). This major requires a 2.3 overall GPA for admission and a 2.0 USU Cumulative GPA for graduation.

Although the emphasis of this major is in the humanities and social sciences, the student is encouraged to seek out other educational interests as part of an academic program. The following credit distribution will be typical of most students:

University Studies (30 credits)

The University Studies Program (which is required for all students seeking a bachelor’s degree) consists of two sets of requirements: General Education Requirements and Depth Education Requirements. Included in the General Education Requirements are Competency Requirements, including Communications Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, and Computer and Information Literacy. General Education also includes Breadth Requirements in the areas of American Institutions, Creative Arts, Humanities, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences. To complete the Depth Education Requirements, students must complete two Communications Intensive courses, one Quantitative Intensive course, and two Depth courses. For more information about the University Studies Program, as well as lists of courses approved for meeting University Studies Requirements  in this catalog. Students should consult with the program advisor to determine which University Studies courses will best meet their learning goals.

Foreign Language Requirement

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree signifies proficiency in one or more foreign languages or American Sign Language. Specifically, the BA requirement may be completed in one of the following ways:

  1. Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language by successful completion of one course at the 2020-level or higher (or its equivalent).
    Or
  2. Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language by successful completion of American Sign Language IV (COMD 4920 ) and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Deafness (COMD 4780 ), and by passing an exit interview.
    Or
  3. Demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level in one language and the 2010 course level in the second language (or its equivalent).
    Or
  4. Completion of an upper-division (3000-level or higher) foreign language grammar or literature course requiring the 2020 course level (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite. Conversation courses cannot be considered for satisfying this requirement.

For nonnative English-speaking students only, the following options are available:

  1. Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students.
    Or
  2. TOEFL, Michigan, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the University admission criteria.

Focus of Study

The focus of study for the Liberal Arts major is to help students gain a basic understanding of the development of civilization, including historical and cultural traditions, political institutions and processes, an appreciation of arts and literature, and expanded capacities for critical thought. Four learning goals are identified, each requiring a minimum of 9 credits, for a total of 36 credits.

Students plan a multi-disciplinary academic program providing a focus for study, with emphasis in primarily social sciences, humanities, and arts.

Pre-professional and Elective Credits

Depending on a student’s career objectives, a student may take courses leading to further study in medicine, law, business, or other graduate programs, or continue to study in a number of different disciplines.

Sample Four-year Plan for Liberal Arts Major

A sample semester-by-semester four-year plan for students working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts can be found at: http://www.usu.edu/degreeplans/

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.

Additional Information

Details of requirements for the Liberal Arts major, as well as a worksheet for students to record their progress, can be found on the major requirement sheet, available from the College of HASS Advising Center, or online at: http://www.usu.edu/majorsheets/

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