B.A. in Liberal Studies, Quaternity Option
The Liberal Studies Quaternity option is a student-centered option that aims at exploring four different, but interconnected concepts of knowledge—thinking, feeling, intuition, and sensation—which are derived from the complex interaction of mythos (story, fable, imagination) and logos (truth, fact, reality). Students in the Quaternity option are expected to approach and to integrate all of their courses through this epistemological lens, and to demonstrate that they have done so through writing assignments in the Liberal Studies seminars and other course assignments.
In addition to the integrative seminars, university core, and the liberal studies requirements, students in Quaternity require a foreign language (6 cr.) and an additional 4 courses (12 cr.) in each area of the Quaternity: arts, humanities, natural science or Mathematics, and social sciences. At least six credits in each area of Quaternity must be upper division (300 or 400 level).
Program Learning Outcomes
- ALL OPTIONS
Critical thinking:
consider multiple perspectives discuss critical assumptions, findings and alternative interpretations, and draw well-founded and cautious conclusions. - Teamwork and collaboration:
offer constructive, specific and accurate feedback on the work of another student. - Written communication:
write a paper with appropriate scope, strong argumentation, clear arguments, relevant and properly cited evidence, and strong mechanics. - Oral communication:
give a compelling, focused, well-organized and well-delivered presentation on a research topic. - Quaternity option:
apply tools and perspectives from the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and fine arts to analyze a text or problem
| Freshman Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| LS 101US - Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing | 3 | |
| WRIT 101W - College Writing I | 3 | |
| Modern Language | 3 | |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Modern Language | 3 | |
| University Core | 9 | |
| Electives | 2 | |
| Year Total: | 18 | 14 |
| Sophomore Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Integrative Studies - Humanities | 3 | |
| Integrative Studies - Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| Integrative Studies - Social Science | 3 | |
| University Core | 6 | |
| Integrative Studies - Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Quaternity - Humanities | 3 | |
| Quaternity - Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| University Core | 6 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Junior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| LS 301 - Integrative Seminar | 1 | |
| Quaternity - Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Quaternity - Humanities | 3 | |
| Quaternity - Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| Quaternity - Social Sciences | 6 | |
| Quaternity - Fine Arts | 6 | |
| Quaternity - Humanities | 3 | |
| Quaternity - Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| Quaternity - Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 16 | 15 |
| Senior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| LS 301 - Integrative Seminar | 1 | |
| Quaternity - Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Quaternity - Humanities | 3 | |
| Quaternity - Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| Quaternity - Social Sciences | 3 | |
| LS 499R - Senior Capstone | 4 | |
| LS 301 - Integrative Seminar | 1 | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Year Total: | 13 | 14 |
| Total Program Credits: | 120 | |
- *
Up to 6 credits required in a minor or in a second degree program may be applied toward the 12 credit elective requirement in arts, humanities, natural science or mathematics, or social sciences.
Per MSU requirements for the degree, a minimum of 42 credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.