College of Liberal Studies (CLS)

 

Dean—Ruthann Benson
Associate Deans - Charles Martin-Stanley, Julia Johnson
235 Thomas Morris Hall;
608.785.8113
Assistant to the Dean: Sandy Keller
Academic Advisers: Peter Stovall, Timothy Walls
260 Thomas Morris Hall; 608.785.5454
www.uwlax.edu/LS

 

 

Departments/Units

Art

Communication Studies

Educational Studies

English

Ethnic and Racial Studies

History

Military Science

Modern Languages

Music

Philosophy

Political Science/Public Administration

Professional Studies in Education (graduate only)

Psychology

Sociology/Archaeology

Student Affairs Administration (graduate only)

Theatre Arts

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

 

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Master of Education-Professional Development

Master of Science in Education

Education Specialist

 

Majors and Minors

Humanities/Social Sciences Majors/Educational Studies Majors:

 

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Minor

Archaeological Studies

X

X

X

Anthropology

 

 

X

At-Risk Child & Youth Care

 

 

X

Creative Writing

 

 

X

Criminal Justice

 

 

X

Early Childhood—Middle Childhood

 

X

 

Early Childhood Education (open to Early Childhood — Middle Childhood majors only)

 

 

X

Economics

X

X

X

Economics Education

 

 

X

English

 

 

X

English w/Literature Emphasis

X

 

 

English w/Rhetoric and Writing Emphasis

X

 

 

English Education

 

X

X

Environmental Studies

 

 

X

Ethnic and Racial Studies

 

 

X

French

X

 

 

French w/Business Concentration

X

 

 

French Education

 

X

X

General Science (open to Middle Childhood — Early Adolescence majors only)

 

 

X

German Studies

X

 

X

German w/Business Concentration

X

 

 

German Studies Education

 

X

X

History

X

X

X

History w/Regional Emphasis

X

X

X

History Education

 

X

X

International Studies

 -Asian Emphasis

 -European Emphasis

 -Latin American Emphasis

 

 

X

X

X

X

Middle Childhood — Early Adolescence

 

X

 

Military Science

 

 

X

Philosophy

X

X

X

Political Science

X

X

X

Political Science Education

 

X

X

Professional Writing

 

 

X

Psychology

X

X

X

Psychology Education

 

 

X

Public Administration

X

X

X

Public History

 

 

X

Social Studies (Broad Field Option A or Option B open to Early Adolescence — Adolescence teacher certification program only)

 

X

 

Social Studies (open to Middle Childhood—Early Adolescence majors only)

 

 

X

Sociology

X

X

X

Sociology Education

 

X

X

Spanish

X

 

X

Spanish w/Business Concentration

X

 

 

Spanish Education

 

X

X

Special Education (open to teacher education students only)

 

 

X

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

 

 

X

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Education

 

 

X

Women’s Studies

X

X

X

 

Emphases/Programs

Gerontology

 

Certificate Programs

French Studies

Russian Studies

 

Dual Degree Program

Psychology/Occupational Therapy

 

School Of Arts and Communication (SAC)

Majors and Minors

 

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Minor

Art

 - Photography

X

X

X

X

Art Education

 

X

 

Communication Studies

 - Interpersonal Communication Emphasis

 - Organizational and Professional Communication Emphasis

 - Advocacy and Communication Criticism Emphasis

 - Broadcast and Digital Communication Emphasis

 - Sports Broadcasting

 

X

X

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

X

X

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

X

X

 

 

X

 

X

X

Music

 - Choral Education Emphasis

 - General Education Emphasis

 - History Emphasis

 - Instrumental Education Emphasis

 - Jazz Performance Emphasis

 - Music Theatre Emphasis

 - Performance Emphasis

 - Piano Pedagogy

 - Theory Emphasis

 

 

 

X

 

X

X

X

X

X

 

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 Theatre Arts

 - Arts Administration Emphasis

 - Design/Technical Emphasis

 - General Emphasis

 - Music Theatre Emphasis

 - Performance Emphasis

 - Stage Management Emphasis

 

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

The College of Liberal Studies (CLS) includes departments and programs in the humanities, social sciences, educational studies and interdisciplinary studies, as well as the School of Arts and Communication. CLS continues the established liberal studies tradition of providing many curricula leading to the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree.

 

CLS is dedicated to providing quality instruction and learning experiences which prepare students for future education or careers and meaningful, responsible lives by fostering a climate of intellectual curiosity and creativity. Graduates of the college will have developed the ability to communicate effectively, to think critically, to conduct sound research, to understand global issues, to use knowledge in all aspects of life, to participate meaningfully as citizens, and to discover and apply worthwhile values.

 

CLS faculty and staff are committed to maintaining academic integrity and high ethical standards. CLS, through its faculty, students, and curricula, also is dedicated to advancing cultural diversity. Furthermore, by developing partnerships and encouraging professional connections, the College establishes its membership in the broader community.

 

The academic community within the College of Liberal Studies supports a strong General Education program, nurtures exceptional disciplinary programs, and creates innovative interdisciplinary and international programs, which together promote lifelong personal and professional learning.

 

Programs in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Educational Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies

At the heart of the College of Liberal Studies are the departments which teach the humanities and social sciences. These departments have traditionally represented the cornerstone disciplines of a university. They offer essential experiences that prepare students for lifelong learning. Courses in the humanities and social sciences introduce students to cultural, ethnic and racial diversity; international dimensions of politics, economics, language and culture; social institutions and social interactions; theories and applications of human behavior; and the great writing that develops and explores these realms of knowledge.

 

All students at UW-L take courses in the humanities and social sciences even though they may not major in one of these programs. Many of the skills courses and liberal studies courses of the General Education program are offered by departments in the humanities and social sciences. The skills that are built are those that enable students to proceed with effective and efficient learning.

 

Courses in the humanities and social sciences provide individuals with solid reading and writing abilities, an understanding of cultural diversity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the ability to integrate and synthesize ideas, and a sense of personal responsibility. Courses in these disciplines help individuals learn from the past, explore the present and adapt to the future. The liberal studies program is designed to be an enriching experience that produces a well-rounded individual.

 

The humanities are taught in the departments of English, modern languages, history, and philosophy. The social sciences are taught in the departments of political science/public administration, psychology, and sociology/archaeology. The Department of Educational Studies is committed to preparing and supporting education professionals for Early Childhood-Adolescence (PreK-12) schools which serve a variety of diverse populations. The College of Liberal Studies also offers interdisciplinary opportunities in the departments of military science (ROTC) and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, as well as in child/youth care, criminal justice, environmental studies, international studies, and ethnic and racial studies. These programs supplement and complement many others found throughout the university.

 

School of Arts and Communication

The School of Arts and Communication is dedicated to supporting and enhancing liberal studies while providing a complete pre-professional curriculum. School of Arts and Communication programs strive to develop the knowledge, freedom and spontaneity which underlie creative expression in its highest forms. Classes focus on establishing the foundations for creative work through the study of technical, historical, and artistic dimensions in the arts. The primary activity involves hands-on experience, so students spend much of their time in laboratories, studios, and rehearsals developing the skills, processes, and attitudes necessary for success. Students in these programs specialize in a particular art or communication discipline as they acquire general knowledge through the liberal studies core. Upon completion of their program, they have a wide range of occupational and educational choices. Some graduates begin careers in the fine or performing arts or the mass media. Others enter graduate schools, specializing in some aspect of their previous study or in some related field. Still others choose from a wide range of occupations where their creative and communicative skills serve them well. Whatever the career and whatever the future, graduates of the School of Arts and Communication are flexible, adaptable, and disciplined communicators who understand process, problem solving, and commitment.

 

Advising

All students in the College of Liberal Studies who have declared majors are assigned to faculty advisers. Advisers provide guidance and assistance to develop plans for post-college experiences. Students and their advisers are provided with computerized advisement reports that assist them in monitoring progress in meeting degree requirements. Degrees are verified in the dean’s office. Students are encouraged to come to the office to review progress toward the degree during their junior year.

 

College of Liberal Studies/School of Arts and Communications Degree Program

(All CLS/SAC departments except DES)

A student in the College of Liberal Studies or School of Arts and Communication may earn either the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The type of degree earned by a student (B.A. or B.S.) may be determined by the major programs elected by the student. All general university degree requirements must be met: a minimum of 120 credits (40 of which must be 300/400 numbered courses), General Education program requirements, college core requirements and major program requirements.

 

 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degree Core Requirements

  1. Students majoring in English or in a modern language must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. 

  2. Students majoring in other CLS programs may choose either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. 

  3. Language courses (CHI, FRE, GER, RUS, SPA, MLG) used to fulfill General Education: Math/Logical Systems (category 2) may also be used to meet the BA and BS language requirements.

  4. All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 39 credits required in the General Education Program. 

  5. At least one course in your College Degree Program must be a CLS designated diversity course. 

  6. Applicable courses may be found on the CLS BA/BS Core Course List

 

Bachelor of Arts (Declare ONE Track in the CLS Academic Services Office in 260 Morris Hall)

Courses used to fulfill General Education requirements will not apply (except as noted in #3 above)

A.      Language Track

  1. CHI 202 or FRE 202 or GER 202 or RUS 202 or SPA 202 or MLG 202 or MLG 304 or ESL proficiency score of 80 or above on the La Crosse Battery of exams for non-native speakers of English. (Contact the English as a Second Language Institute for eligibility and regulations); and

  2. Two additional courses outside of your major in two of the following: humanities, social sciences or fine arts.

B.      Humanities Track

  1. One modern language course 102 or higher or an OIE approved semester long study abroad experience combined with the INS 250, 251, 252 sequence; and

  2. Two additional courses outside your major department from two different departments chosen from: history, English, philosophy; and

  3. One additional course in social sciences or fine arts.

C.      Fine Arts Track

  1. One modern language course 102 or higher or an OIE approved semester long study abroad experience combined with the INS 250, 251, 252 sequence; and

  2. Two additional courses outside your major department from two different departments chosen from: art, communication studies, music, theatre; and

  3. One additional course in social sciences or humanities.

 

Bachelor of Science

Courses used to fulfill General Education requirements will not apply (except as noted in #3 above)

Complete four courses outside your major department as follows: 

  1. A lab science course (from the General Education list); and

  2. A social science course; and

  3. Another social science or General Education natural science, or math course, or an approved CLS alternative (ENV 201, PHL 334, 339); and

  4. One additional course in humanities or fine arts or complete a modern language course 102 level or higher. 

In addition to the College of Liberal Studies Degree Core requirement, all students in CLS must complete a second major, minor, or program option.

  1. Complete a minor (or second major) outside of your major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or

  2. Complete an emphasis, program or concentration of at least 18 credits outside your major program. General Education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum General Education requirements; or

  3. Complete 18 credits in two or more departments or programs (at least 12 credits earned at the 300 or 400 level). These courses must be outside your major department and can be from any college. General Education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum General Education requirements.