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Program Structure and Degree Requirements
To receive a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, students must earn a total of 30 approved graduate credits. Since the graduate courses at The College at Brockport are generally three credits each, a normal Plan of Study consists of 10 graduate courses. These courses include four required Liberal Studies courses and six elective courses. The required block includes one topics course from each of three disciplinary perspectives, and the Project Portfolio.
REQUIRED TOPICS COURSES
Although the specific topics courses may vary from semester to semester, and from instructor to instructor, one course from each of the following three areas must be taken:
LST 700-719: Topics in the Arts and Humanities
LST 720-739: Topics in the Natural Sciences
LST 740-759: Topics in the Social Sciences
The list below is representative of the nature and range of topics courses that are offered:
ARTS AND HUMANITIES
LST 711 Literature and Writing from Australia
This course is a multi-disciplinary introduction to the people and cultures of Australia. Novels, poems, film and various forms of nonfiction writing will be used to illuminate major cultural and ethnic groups in Australia. Key turning points in the social, political, and literary development of Australia will be examined through the works of writers.
LST 712 British Cultural Influences on the US
A multidisciplinary examination of key creative figures from Britain and the impact they had on their American counterparts.
NATURAL SCIENCES
LST 721 Environmental Issues
Examines ecology, environmental quality, agriculture, pest management,
economics and waste to develop a responsible awareness of natural resource
use and availability.
LST 722 Great Lakes Issues
This interdisciplinary course focuses on geological, ecological and socioeconomic issues in the Great Lakes Basin. It will address topics from the physical character of the region to invasive species and water quality policy issues, from pre-European settlement to post-9/11. Human impacts on the lakes and the lakes’ impacts on society will be examined. Activities include lectures, readings, group discussions, guest speakers, and writing assignments.
LST 728 Scientific Enquiry in the 21st Century
A critical review of the traditional hard science-based logical positivist model which is essentially reductionist in quality; phenomenological methodologies including descriptive, participant observer, realist (vs. nominalist), expert systems, and ethnographic approaches; and 21st century feedback-based systems methodologies.
LST 729 Evolution, Revolution and Revelation
This course will use evolutionary biology as the framework for investigating “science as a way of knowing.” Students will develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of evolutionary biology and development of evolutionary thought. This understanding will be used to analyze conflicts between evolutionary biology, “creationism,” “scientific creationism,” and “intelligent design.” The course will conclude with a discussion of how science and religion may inform one another.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
LST 743 Multicultural Global Village
Studies the American ethnic mosaic culturally, historically, and sociologically,
including the roles of technology, economics, educational and cultural
institutions in the global village.
LST 752
Anthropology and the Islamic World: Problems and Methods
Uses a range of scholarly views of “Islamic society” to explore major themes and methodologies of social-cultural anthropology
PROJECT PORTFOLIO (LST 797*)
A pre-graduation "culminating project" that entails both a
reflective component and a knowledge application component. Includes
a statement of the specific programmatic goals around which the Plan
of Study has been developed; a reflective statement describing how the
interrelationships between the areas of knowledge and skills acquired
through the student's Plan of Study have provided an integrative experience
that has contributed holistically to one's educational objectives; a paper applying insights and/or methodologies from the three Liberal
Studies disciplinary approaches (arts and humanities, the social sciences,
and the natural sciences) to an understanding of some issue or problem
within contemporary society; and sample work from the student's required
and elective courses.
[*Note: Students may not register for this course until they
have completed all of the Liberal Studies degree requirements or, in exceptional cases, are concurrently
registered for their final course requirements (for a maximum of three credits subject to approval by the Director) as specified in their Plan
of Study.]
ELECTIVE COURSES
In the Liberal Studies program, elective courses are selected through advisement (a required procedure that must be completed before a student may continue with the matriculation process, but which may be revised as circumstances warrant). The electives must reflect a programmatic theme or focus that satisfies the degree candidate's personal and/or professional goals. The following restrictions apply to the selection of elective courses:
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At least two elective courses (six credits) must be at the 600-level or higher (i.e., courses designed exclusively for graduate students).
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No more than two courses (six credits) may reflect content intended for application in a specific professional setting (these courses are usually designated as "B" courses at The College at Brockport).
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No more than three courses (nine credits) may be taken within the same department or discipline (e.g., history, English, etc.).
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No more than six credits may be taken as Independent Study.
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No elective course may be taken on a "Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory" grade basis.
- No internships allowed.
- Written approval of the program director is required for any change to a matriculated student's Plan of Study.
