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Dec 26, 2024
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2016-2017 USC Union Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]
Liberal Studies, B.A.
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Overview of the BLS
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies Program (BLS) is only available to students on USC’s regional campuses or online through Palmetto College. It is designed to provide access to upper-level study in a range of liberal arts disciplines, fostering the abilities to think critically, communicate effectively, solve problems, and interpret human experience. Goals of this program are to enhance students’ intellectual and creative capacities and broaden their historical, ethical, social, and international perspectives while allowing them some flexibility in designing the upper-level curricula based on previous studies and employment objectives.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate the ability to initiate independent, interdisciplinary inquiry and the ability to apply critical thinking to interdisciplinary problems.
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- Students will demonstrate an understanding of South Carolina from historical as well as contemporary political, cultural, economic, and social perspectives in papers, assignments and other student writing.
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- Students will be educated and participatory citizens of South Carolina and explain how their academic training has prepared them to be active state citizens.
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- Students will demonstrate the ability to apply classroom learning to real-world experience in the public or private sector.
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Admission and Graduation Standards
Students may apply to the Liberal Studies Program after completion of at least 45 semester hours of accredited, college-level work. A minimum grade point of 2.00 is required for admission and graduation. As part of the application process, a specific Program of Study is developed by the student and the student’s advisor and approved by the Program Committee. Any changes to the Program of Study must be approved by the advisor and Program Committee. All students must earn at least 30 USC hours after admission to this program. A minimum of 120 semester hours of accredited, college-level work must be presented to earn this degree.
Degree Requirements (120 Hours)
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (BLS) is designed for students who want to pursue liberal studies without a major in a single discipline.
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1. Carolina Core Plus General Education Requirements
CMW: Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Writing (6 hours)
Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
ARP: Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (6 hours)
- Any approved Carolina Core ARP courses
SCI: Scientific Literacy (8 Hours)
- Any approved Carolina Core SCI courses, must include two labs
GFL: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Communicate Effectively in More than One Language (0-9 Hours)
Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.
It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.
GHS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours)
- Any approved Carolina Core GHS courses
GSS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours)
- Any approved Carolina Core GSS courses
AIU: Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 Hours)
- Any approved Carolina Core AIU course
CMS: Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component (3 Hours)
INF: Information Literacy
- Any approved overlay or stand-alone Carolina Core INF course
VSR: Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility
- Any approved overlay or stand-alone Carolina Core VSR course
Other Required General Education Courses for the BA in Liberal Studies:
Additional Arts and Sciences Electives (6 Hours)
Must include two disciplines
2. Major Requirements (36 Hours)
Required Courses
All courses must be at the 300-level or above with at least 15 hours at the 400-level or above. All grades must be C or better. The following three courses are required of all majors:
The student’s major will be chosen from one of the following three (3) options:
Arts and Humanities Option (27 Hours)
A minimum of 27 hours from two of the following disciplines:
Art
English
History
Languages
Native American Studies *
Philosophy
Religious Studies
Theatre
Science and Mathematics Option (27 Hours)
A minimum of 27 hours from two of the following disciplines:
Astronomy
Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Environmental Studies
Geological Studies
Health Promotion, Education and Behavior
Marine Science
Mathematics
Physics
Statistics
Social and Behavioral Sciences Option (27 Hours)
A minimum of 27 hours from two of the following disciplines:
Anthropology
Criminology and Criminal justice
Economics
Geography
Health Promotion, Education and Behavior
Native American Studies*
Political science
Psychology
Sociology
Social Work
3. Cognate (12 Hours)
All grades must be C or better.
The cognate is comprised of a discipline NOT included in the student’s major but philosophically/ontologically joined to it.
A minimum of 12 hours of course work at the 300 level or above from one of the following disciplines:
Anthropology
Art
Business
Criminal justice
Dance
Economics
Education
English
Geography
History
Health Promotion, Education and Behavior
Languages
Mathematics
Native American Studies*
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Physical and/or Biological sciences
Religious Studies
Social Work
Sociology
Theatre
The cognate cannot be a discipline included in the student’s major option. No more than six hours of transfer work may be applied to the cognate.
*Courses designated as fulfilling the Native American Studies option will be listed on the BA in Liberal Studies program website: http://saeu.sc.edu/academics/programs/LiberalStudies/index.html.
4. Electives (21-31 Hours)
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