Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts
Administration
Dean: Paul Tiyambe Zeleza
Associate Deans: John R. Popiden, Curtiss Takada Rooks, Jeffrey Wilson
Mission of the College
The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts (BCLA) embodies the wider University goals of liberal education and commitment to Roman Catholicism and the Judaeo-Christian tradition. The curriculum in the College liberates the mind, nourishes the spirit, and cultivates creativity for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Its courses, therefore, are at the heart of the University's core curriculum for all undergraduates.
BCLA Student Learning Outcomes
By virtue of their liberal arts courses, LMU students should understand:
- The various ways in which knowledge is established and integrated
- The broad outlines of human history and the interconnectedness of the world
- The philosophical and theological dimensions of our intellectual traditions.
By virtue of their liberal arts courses, LMU students should be able to:
- Demonstrate written and oral competencies
- Synthesize and apply knowledge to solve problems, personal and social
- Interact cross-culturally and pursue justice, locally and globally.
By virtue of their liberal arts courses, LMU students should value:
- The life of the mind, enhanced self-awareness and social awareness
- Critical reflection that leads to thoughtful action
- Diversity, responsibility, justice, and globally sound human practice.
Similarly, BCLA students attain the learning outcomes of their majors and minors, found in the following program descriptions.
Organization of the College
The College offers undergraduate majors and/or minors in the following fields of learning:
Graduate programs are also offered in Bioethics, English, Philosophy, and Theological Studies.
Application of General University Requirements
The University requirements for admission, graduation, and all general rules and regulations of the University as set forth in this Bulletin are applicable to and binding upon all students enrolled in the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts.
Degree Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree in the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts
The degree program has three components: core, major, and electives. The core curriculum, which is taken throughout the four-year program, provides educational breadth and embodies Loyola Marymount's educational mission and vision. The major provides a field of concentration that develops a depth of understanding in the humanities or social sciences. Finally, up to one-third of the program is made up of electives. This provides the opportunity for exploring fields of study complementary to the major or for developing expertise in a second major or minor.
Total Program
120 semester hours are required for graduation with the following distribution: a) at least 45 semester hours of upper division, and b) a maximum of 30 upper division semester hours in any one department will be accepted toward graduation requirements.
No more than 9 semester hours in any of the following programs will be accepted toward degree requirements: ART, DANC(studio technique/performance), MUSC (applied music, studio, or performance), THEA (technical or performance).
Liberal Arts students with a double major or minor in one of the above departments are allowed to exceed the 9 semester hour limit in order to complete their programs. Only those semester hours that are applicable to the double major or minor will be accepted toward graduation requirements.
Enrollment by degree-seeking students at another institution at the same time they are enrolled at LMU is not permitted.
The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts accepts a maximum of two semester hours of physical education only upon entrance for a new transfer student. Other physical education hours do not count toward degree requirements.
A maximum of 10 semester hours of Aerospace credit will be accepted. This credit is limited to:
AERO 100: 1 semester hour
AERO 101: 1 semester hour
AERO 200: 1 semester hour
AERO 201: 1 semester hour
AERO 300/400: 3 semester hours
AERO 301/401: 3 semester hours
Students should consult the Dean's Office for specific policies applicable to the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts.
Core Curriculum for the Baccalaureate Degree in the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts
(Majors in Liberal Studies [LBST], consult the Liberal Studies portion of this web site.)
American Cultures
3 Semester Hours
Course Selection:
First- and second-year students choose from any lower division course listed or cross-listed as AMCS. Third- and fourth year students choose from any upper division course listed or cross-listed as AMCS. Third- and fourth-year students choose from any upper division course listed or cross-listed as AMCS. A single course will generally not fulfill two core requirements. The only exception is a course that satisfies another core requirement which is also cross-listed as AMCS.
College Writing
3 Semester Hours
Course Selection:
ENGL 110will fulfill the college writing requirement. ENGL 100will not fulfill the college writing requirement but is required of certain students based on their performance in the essay written in all ENGL 110 sections during the first week of classes. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in ENGL 110. All students who receive a grade of C- (1.7) or lower must retake ENGL 110as soon as possible.
Choose: ENGL 110.
Communication or Critical Thinking
3 Semester Hours
Course Selection:
Communication: Choose from CMST 100, 110, 130, or 140
or
Critical Thinking: Choose from CMST 206 or PHIL 220.
Critical and Creative Arts
6 Semester Hours
Course Selection:
This requirement is satisfied by taking one course from Critical Arts and one course from Creative Arts.
Critical Arts: Choose from ANIM 100; ARHS 200, 201, 202, 321, 340, 345; DANC 281, 381; FTVS 210, 314, 315; MUSC 102, 104, 303, 365; THEA 240, 245, 331, 336, 341, 346, 347, 348, 349, 430.
Creative Arts: Choose from ANIM 120; ART 150, 151, 153, 278, 280, 350; DANC 163; ENGL 205, 311(Prerequisite 201), 312(Prerequisite 202); MUSC 105, 106, 107; PROD 200; SCWR 220; THEA 110, 400.
History
6 Semester Hours
Course Selection:
This requirement is satisfied by taking one course from Western Civilization and one course from Contemporary Societies.
Western Civilization: Choose from HIST 100 or 101.
Contemporary Societies: Choose from HIST 152, 162, 172, 182, or 192.
Literature
3 Semester Hours
Course Selection:
Prerequisite: Successful completion of college writing requirement.
Choose from CLCV 200, 210, 220, 230; ENGL 130, 140, 150,170;FNLT 180; THEA 240, 245, 331, 336, 341, 346, 347, 348, 349, or 430. Or choose any upper division literature course in a modern or classical language, e.g., CHIN,FLPN, FREN, GREK, GRMN,ITAL, JAPN, LATN, MDGK, or SPAN.
Mathematics
3 Semester Hours
Course Selection:
Choose MATH 102 or higher. Some majors require a specific mathematics course, which also fulfills this requirement.
Science and Technology
3 Semester Hours
Course Selection:
Choose one lower division course from a department other than Mathematics. Courses numbered 260-279 in each department of the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering are specifically designed for non-science majors. Choose from BIOL, CHEM, CMSI, ELEC, MECH, NTLS, or PHYS.
Philosophy
6 Semester Hours
Course Selection:
Lower Division:
Choose PHIL 160. Transfer students who enter LMU with a minimum of sixty (60) accepted transfer hours are exempted from the lower division requirement.
Upper Division:
Choose one PHIL course numbered 320through 330.
Social Sciences
6 Semester Hours
Course Selection:
- Select two courses from ECON 100, 105, 110, 120; GEOG 100; POLS 135, 155; PSYC 100; SOCL 100 or 105. Courses must be from different departments.
- Select one course from: AFAM 115, APAM 117,CHST 116, or WNST 100, and one course from ECON 100, 105, 110, 120; GEOG 100; POLS 135, 155; PSYC 100; SOCL 100 or 105.
- Select two courses from the same department. The first is selected from ECON 100, 105, 110, 120; GEOG 100; POLS 135, 155; PSYC 100; SOCL 100 or 105. The second course in the same department is selected from upper division courses that the student is qualified to take.
Theological Studies
6 Semester Hours
Course Selection:
Lower Division:
Choose from the 100-level series of THSTcourses. Transfer students who enter LMU with a minimum of sixty (60) accepted transfer hours are exempted from the lower division requirement.
Upper Division:
Choose from the 300-level series of THST courses only.
Major Requirements
Students must have a major. Please see the following pages for the requirements for specific programs. Students ordinarily enter the University with a major but may enter undeclared. Undeclared students must declare a major prior to enrolling in classes for their junior year.
Minor Requirements
Students may, if they so desire, dedicate some of their electives in pursuit of a minor. Please see the following pages for the requirements for specific programs.
Recommendations
Students are encouraged to enrich their program of study with courses from the following areas.
Business
Students are encouraged to take a course in the issues of business. Consult the Bulletin listings.
Computer Skills
Students are expected to become proficient in computer skills. Courses or workshops may be taken to help students develop existing skills.
Foreign Language
Students are encouraged to study foreign languages to the intermediate level. LMU offers Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Greek (Modern and Classical), Italian, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish on a regular basis.
International/Global Studies
Students are encouraged to select courses that deal with international and/or global issues. Such courses are offered throughout the University and are available as electives or as options within the core or major. Consult the Bulletin listings.
Internships
Students are encouraged to link academics and career exploration through internships. Internships may be arranged through the Career Development Office. Also, internship courses are offered through various academic departments.
Study Abroad
A semester of international study abroad is also recommended for the junior year. Consult the Study Abroad Office.
Students Interested in Teaching in California Public Schools
Students wishing to teach grades K-5 in California public schools are required to obtain a Multiple Subjects Subject Matter Teaching Credential and demonstrate “subject matter competence” to teach the many subjects commonly taught in elementary school. Subject matter competence must be demonstrated by passing the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). To prepare for this examination, students complete the requirements of the Liberal Studies Bachelor’s of Arts degree in the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts. Students interested in the Liberal Studies degree program should consult a Liberal Studies advisor.
Students wishing to teach in grades 6-12 in California public schools are required to obtain a Single Subject Credential and demonstrate “subject matter competence” to teach a particular subject (e.g., English, Social Studies, Foreign Language, Mathematics, or Science). Subject matter competence can be demonstrated by either passing a national exam or by successfully completing an approved subject matter preparation program in English. Students interested in teaching English at the 6-12 grades levels should consult the English Subject Matter advisor in the English Department. The Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering offers an approved single subject preparation program in mathematics. Students interested in teaching mathematics should consult an advisor in the Mathematics Department. Subject matter preparation programs in science and French are pending, whereas Spanish and the social sciences have been approved.
A Multiple Subjects Subject Matter or Single Subject Matter teaching credential can be earned concurrently with a Bachelor’s degree. Except for Liberal Studies majors, students may declare a minor in Education and begin taking Education courses after completion of 30 semester hours (first semester Sophomore standing). In order to maximize the full potential of taking Education courses with the undergraduate program, students are strongly encouraged to declare the Education minor early in their career. Credential programs are also available in Special Education (K-12) and Bilingual Education (Spanish, K-12). For more information on Education programs, see the School of Education section in this web site.
Secondary Teacher Preparation Programs
For information on these programs, see the Secondary Teaching Preparation Program Section in the Bulletin.
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