Liberal Studies (B.A.)
Liberal studies is a unique major at Marymount that provides a broad general education and the opportunity to gain knowledge in two major fields that are designated as concentrations. Some examples of concentration options are biology/physical sciences, business and information technology, communication, English, fine and applied arts, gender and society, graphic design, history, humanities, mathematics, philosophy/religious studies/theology, politics, and social sciences (psychology/sociology/criminal justice). Other concentrations may be considered.
Liberal studies is a degree completion program for students changing majors in junior year or later, for transfer students from other institutions, and for nontraditional students with previously earned college credits and full-time work experience. The program provides an efficient way to maximize the number of transfer credits and/or shorten the time required for graduation in a single discipline. Students must have completed at least 45 credits to enter the program.
The liberal studies program consists of three components: the Liberal Arts Core, the two concentrations, and the liberal studies triad (LS 300, LS 400, and LS 420).
Upon successful completion of the liberal studies program, students will be able to
- demonstrate appropriate knowledge of content from two areas of concentration;
- apply and integrate methods from different disciplines in research and analysis that examine an issue from multiple perspectives, effectively incorporating and synthesizing information from two different disciplines;
- find, use, and evaluate a variety of sources of information and demonstrate competence in a documentation style appropriate to their discipline;
- produce a well-structured and well-written argumentative essay of substantial length that supports students' claims, evaluates opposing and/or alternate viewpoints, and reaches a conclusion logically arising from the discussion;
- communicate ideas clearly in an oral presentation, defending conclusions effectively and responding extempore to questions and critiques; and
- demonstrate an understanding of the value of lifelong learning by articulating how educational experiences relate to careers and daily life.
The portfolio contains a collection of experiential and scholarly writings, including a lengthy senior thesis in which the student conducts scholarly research that integrates knowledge of the student’s two fields of concentration. The portfolio is often sent to prospective employers to demonstrate students' high level of research and writing skills and knowledge of the controversial issues in their fields of concentration.
Degree Requirements — Liberal Studies
This degree requires a total of 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Liberal studies majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: LS 300 Liberal Studies Readings and Portfolio Development, LS 420 Senior Seminar, and one additional WI course from an area of concentration or from the Liberal Arts Core or university electives.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.
Major Required Courses
Students will take a triad of liberal studies–specific courses:
| LS 300 | Liberal Studies Readings and Portfolio Development * | 3 |
| LS 400 | Liberal Studies Internship * | 1 |
| LS 420 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
Students with significant work history may fulfill the internship requirement through submission of a portfolio (LS 400 PACE Internship), with approval of the dean of the School of Design, Arts, and Humanities.
Concentrations
Liberal studies majors will complete two concentrations for a total of 36 credits.
Students may take 18 credits in each field or as few as 15 credits in one of the fields, as long as the required 36-credit total for the two concentrations is met. Of these 36 credits, a total of 18 credits must be completed in concentration courses numbered 300 or above; students may take nine (9) credits in each field, or as few as six (6) credits in one of the fields, as long as the required total of 18 credits of 300-level courses is met.
NOTE: Courses used to fulfill students' requirements in their two concentrations cannot be used to fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirements.
Liberal studies majors who desire a concentration in either gender and society or humanities must satisfy the requirements listed below.
Gender and Society Concentration
Five to seven courses in a minimum of three academic disciplines from the following:
Courses used for this concentration cannot be used to fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirements.
Humanities Concentration
Five to seven courses in a minimum of three of the following academic disciplines: English, fine arts, history, philosophy, and theology and religious studies. Courses selected for this concentration cannot be used to fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirements.
Sample Degree Plan — Liberal Studies
Due to the nature of the liberal studies degree, each student will create an individualized two-year completion plan in conjunction with an advisor. The required liberal studies triad courses should be scheduled as follows.
LS 300 — Fall, Year One
LS 400 — Fall, Year Two
LS 420 — Spring, Year Two
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.