Liberal Arts Certificate Program
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
丁香园AV Calendar 2012 Spring
This program, which provides broad exposure to areas of knowledge and inquiry methods essential to a liberal education, is for students who desire breadth of learning. It may be completed in conjunction with a degree program, or by students not seeking a degree.
The certificate requires ten courses comprising at least 30 units from designated course lists. These courses, which include both lower and some upper division courses, were carefully chosen for suitability in providing accessible and valuable material.
Course Sets
Applicable certificate courses are listed in 12 sets. Each set includes courses from a variety of University departments. For a certificate student to be acquainted with various fields of inquiry and approaches to knowledge, the ten required courses must be distributed across these sets as described below. .
A brief description of the kinds of courses in each set are as follows. Visit to view the actual course lists (click on the 'Program Options' tab to find the Certificate in Liberal Arts link).
Set 1 鈥� Verbal Skills
These courses enhance the mastery of some basic tools of verbal reasoning and expression. They include courses on writing and critical thinking, and introductory language courses. Students who complete an introductory course in a language other than English are strongly urged to complete a second course in that language as part of their certificate program.
Set 2 鈥� The Study of Theory and Theory Building
These courses introduce the nature of explanatory systems in various fields of inquiry. They include various discipline courses that focus on dynamics of theory construction and historical evolution of theory within that discipline. Courses in this set provide appreciation for ways in which the processes of reasoning, argument, observation and analysis are included within the development of disciplines.
Set 3 鈥� The Analysis of Contemporary Issues
These courses examine current social problems and controversies, emphasizing the application of appropriate conceptual and investigative methods to areas of public concern. Courses in this set will give students some appreciation for the ways in which careful reasoning and disciplinary knowledge can be applied in clarifying the discussion of public issues.
Set 4 鈥� The Study of Literature
These courses introduce important literary works and to ways of understanding literary expression. They include courses on literature written in English and in other languages, as well as literature in translation.
Set 5 鈥� Fine and Performing Arts
These courses familiarize students with non-literary modes of artistic expression and with important works of art including history and criticism of arts forms courses.
Set 6 鈥� Studies in Culture and Civilization
These courses introduce a wide study of cultures and civilizations. They include courses that consider the development of human values, and that take comparative and interdisciplinary approaches to culture, as well as historical studies that include substantial attention to cultural themes.
Set 7 鈥� The Study of Period and Place
These courses study developments in human society with emphasis on historical or regional particularity, and introduce methods associated with such study. They include courses that focus on regions and regionalism, as well as on specific historical periods.
Set 8 鈥� Foundations of Social Science
These courses introduce fundamental concepts and investigation methods in social science disciplines.
Set 9 鈥� Social and Behavioral Analysis
These courses articulate an approach to social structures or to individual or group behavior and apply that perspective to an area of social investigation.
Set 10 鈥� Natural Science
These courses introduce methods that are basic to natural sciences and to at least one specific science.
Set 11 鈥� The Impact of Science and Technology
These courses investigate the social impact of developments in science, technology, and computational and quantitative methods.
Set 12 鈥� Quantitative Skills
These courses enhance the mastery of mathematical skills and tools for quantitative reasoning. They include basic level mathematics and computing, and statistics oriented research methods courses.
Distribution Requirements
Eight of the required ten courses must be distributed among the above sets as follows. (See course lists for applicable courses.)
- two courses drawn from any TWO of the sets 1-3
- two courses drawn from any TWO of the sets 4-6
- two courses drawn from any TWO of the sets 7-9
- two courses drawn from any TWO of the sets 10-12
The two additional courses required may be selected from any TWO sets.
Within these distribution requirements, students may select any listed courses, and may tailor choices to their academic needs and interests. Courses applied toward the certificate in liberal arts may also be applied to any degree program, but may not be applied to another certificate or diploma program.
Course Lists
A list of courses within each set, published annually, is available at Student Services Academic Advising, Arts Central (3020 Academic Quadrangle). Lists include Senate approved courses for program inclusion and occasional courses approved for single offering. Some have prerequisites. In most instances, the specific prerequisites may also be completed within the certificate program. Consult the Calendar and course outlines to understand courses and prerequisites. Advice is available through department advisors, Arts Central (3020 Academic Quadrangle) and Student Services Academic Advising.
Transfer Credit
A maximum of 15 transfer units are permitted towards the certificate in liberal arts. Normally, only credit assigned as directly equivalent to a course regularly listed within the program may be transferred.