major requirements
L&CS 121: Culture and Civic Responsibility
L&CS 122: Environmental Responsibility
L&CS 123: Modern Global Issues
L&CS 124: Assessment and Portfolio (.25 credit)
L&CS 130 or 131(TFT track) Senior Capstone: Democracy & Active Citizenship
L&CS 192 (TFT track only0: Text-based Discussion in the Middle School
English: English 4, 5
Religious Studies: One lower division and one upper division course.
January Term: A January Term course is required of all students for each academic year in attendance at Saint Mary’s College. Sometimes these courses may be used to fulfill other requirements within the Liberal & Civic Studies Program. During one January Term, students preparing to be elementary teachers are required to take Education 122: Field Experience in Education (or 121 for TFT). Prerequisite: L&CS 121.
Fine or Performing Arts: One course in the history, philosophy, or aesthetics of art, drama, dance, or music; one studio production or presentations course (may be for .25 credit).
Foreign Language: Students are required to complete sufficient college-level courses in a language other than English to achieve demonstrable intermediate-level competency (equivalent to four terms of college-level work). Students with native ability in a language other than English may have this requirement waived by demonstrating oral, written, and reading skills equivalent to at least intermediate college-level work (four completed terms).
Kinesiology: One full-credit course. SMP students take Kinesiology 103: Physical Education in the Elementary School.
History: Any course. Students preparing to be elementary teachers take United States history (SMP requirement).
Life Science: One course and laboratory. Students preparing to be elementary teachers take Biology 50-51: General Biology (SMP requirement).
Mathematics: Two courses in Mathematics or Computer Science. Students preparing to be elementary teachers take Mathematics 1 or 27, and Mathematics 101 (SMP requirements).
Physical Science: One course and laboratory.
Psychology: Psychology 10 plus Psychology 139 or Education 144. TFT students are required to take Education 144. Students who minor in Psychology may take Psychology 1 and 140 instead of Psychology 10 and 139.
There are 3 optional Liberal & Civic Studies courses entitled Praxis: Art, Praxis: Community Service, and Praxis: Public Policy. Offered every semester for .25 credit, these 3 courses enable students to involve themselves in cultural (artistic) activities, community service, or public policy in greater depth. In addition to the field work (e.g., community service, working for a state senator or serving in student government, or attending plays or concerts or visiting art museums), students come together approximately once every 3 weeks to discuss what they are learning from their experiences. In addition, they do a final paper or project. The Praxis courses are highly recommended for students who enjoyed Forum discussions on these topics and want to continue their involvement.
