Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies - Special Option

at California State University, Dominguez Hills - Carson Campus USA

The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree program is dedicated to high standards in journalistic practices, skills, and specializations with a strong focus on analytical reasoning, critical thinking and problem-solving. Through innovative teaching practices, the program provides a broad-based curriculum designed to promote news and information literacy; proficiency in the various journalistic forms and styles; an understanding of the new media landscape; and information dissemination practices through contemporary and emerging media tools. The program is committed to freedom of the press, freedom of expression, freedom of inquiry, and the questioning of dominant institutional practices and ideologies. It encourages dedication to ethical practices including truth, accuracy, fairness, diversity, inclusivity, and independence. Students seeking careers in print, digital, broadcast, and contemporary news media will complete the program proficient in journalistic practices including writing, research, reporting, interviewing, editing, and publishing across multiple platforms. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the technological, professional, and economic changes that transform the industry through a thorough examination of media institutions and structures. The program provides an understanding of media representations of gender, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, and encourages professional practice that respects all forms of diversity. It trains students to be sensitive to and provide a voice for underserved populations and communities; works in the public interest; and encourages community engagement and social responsibility to audiences and the society at large. Students who graduate with a Journalism degree compete for journalism careers regionally, nationally and globally.

The Department of Anthropology offers undergraduate students course work in the five anthropological subdisciplines: ethnology, archaeology, biological anthropology, applied anthropology and anthropological linguistics. In addition, courses focus on contemporary disciplinary research, area studies and societal applications of anthropological knowledge.

The major concentration in Biological Anthropology is designed to provide the undergraduate student with a strong background in general anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology and research methods. It stresses biological anthropology research methodology, field research, data collection and statistical methodology.

The Master's Program in Computer Science is a two-year program in which a student must complete a required core of courses and additional concentration and general computer science elective courses. The curriculum for the Master of Science in Computer Science requires 36 semester credit units, and offers both a thesis option (30 semester credit units of coursework and 6 semester units of a thesis) and a non-thesis option (33 semester credit units of coursework and 3 semester credit units of a project). Students may choose to obtain the degree in Computer Science with specialization in Software Engineering or Distributed Systems and Networking.

The academic program is expected to culminate in a master's thesis or project. During the first semester of the program, the student should choose a major advisor who will assist him or her in the choice of elective courses. The major advisor will chair the student's advisory committee for the thesis. Two additional members of the students graduate advisory committee will need to be selected.

The graduate program can provide a strong background for future study in a doctoral program. It also provides graduate training as preparation for professional applications. Students with a master's degree in computer science are also prepared for a career in teaching and/or research.

A majority of graduate classes are scheduled to accommodate late afternoon and evening students.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is designed to provide quality professional education for persons entering or working in public service professions. The MPA program prepares students for careers as professional managers of public sector or nonprofit organizations, as well as for research, consulting, and teaching careers. The MPA curriculum provides a theoretical foundation for the practice of public management.
After meeting prerequisite requirements, students can finish all other program requirements in two and a half academic years if they complete two courses per semester and two summer courses (depending upon summer scheduled courses). The MPA program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the professional association responsible for evaluating the quality of MPA degree programs. NASPAA is located at 1029 Vermont Ave., N.W., Ste. 1100, Washington, DC 20005-3517.

MPA Criminal Justice Policy and Administration Concentration
This program is designed to provide criminal justice agency professionals with coursework in policy-making, administration, and the managerial operations of the criminal justice system. The curriculum offers students who may be new to the field the insight and background needed to begin successful public sector careers, while preparing experienced professionals to assume positions that demand additional responsibility.

The Department of Art and Design programs at California State University, Dominguez Hills are characterized by a unique and close correlation among the Art History, Studio Art, and Design Options, and by a strong coordination among the different studio areas. These Options introduce students to potential careers in the art world as well as providing personal fulfillment through creative and scholarly endeavors. Although a minor is not required, those who foresee a career in art are encouraged to complete a minor in the Department of Art and Design.

The Studio Art Option offers students a solid background in both traditional and contemporary media in closely supervised small classes.

Women’s Studies explores the experiences of women in cultures and societies around the world. Students in the program acquire the knowledge and skills to understand the history and structures of gender inequalities and how to advocate for women’s rights and freedoms.

CSUDH’s Women’s Studies Program examines the social construction of gender and sexual difference. Through feminist theory and interdisciplinary methods, Women’s Studies explores the ways gender relates to and intersects with ethnicity, race, social class, religion, sexuality, nationality, globalization and other factors that have shaped women’s and men’s lives.

Students in the Women’s Studies Program acquire the knowledge and skills to advocate for social justice and change, learning the importance of interconnecting local and global communities.

The study of Sociology offers students the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of social processes and structures, so as to be able to live and work in our diverse global society and to apply the tools of social analysis to a broad range of professional, academic and community situations. The methods and knowledge developed by sociologists reflect the complexity of human organization, social life, inequalities and social justice. The newly emerging patterns of social change continue to alter our life, making the effective applications of social analysis more important than ever before in solving problems of inequalities, human organization and justice at a local and global level.

The department of Sociology at CSUDH is committed to its mission of sociology in service to community. The department is composed of a diverse, innovative and stimulating faculty who teach and pursue research in a variety of areas that are important in today's global societies. The sociology faculty offers undergraduate and graduate programs with several emphasis that respond directly to the needs of today's students. We offer a wide range of opportunities to engage in service learning, applied research and community studies and organizing.

Sociology is a civically engaged department and is formally recognized by the CSU for outstanding work with local communities where Sociology students and faculty engage in service learning, internships and community based research.

Liberal Studies (LBS) is an interdisciplinary undergraduate major for students who intend to become elementary and special education teachers or to pursue related graduate work. Courses leading to the B.A. in Liberal Studies focus on the subject areas taught in elementary schools as well as professional preparation and early fieldwork.

The Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations degree program is designed to help students develop an in-depth understanding of the role and impact of advertising and public relations in both for-pro?t and nonpro?t organizations. The program focuses on preparing students to become logical and innovative advertising and public relations professionals who also examine the ethical and cultural values in their practice. The course sequence is designed to emphasize professional skills, analytic abilities, and critical approaches in dealing with advertising and public relations issues. Speci?cally, the students will polish creative ideas and gain a variety of professional skills, including creating AD/PR messages; planning AD/PR media; organizing integrated communication plans; and developing sponsorships and promotional strategies.

The program also stresses both analytical approaches and critical thinking skills. Students will learn the theoretical foundations underlying persuasive messaging as well as analytical tools applied to advertising and public relations research. With this knowledge, students will improve their ability to identify and investigate current AD/PR-related issues by using an appropriate methodology and develop further strategic directions. In conjunction with the practical techniques, the program will also guide students to appreciate the cultural aspects and ethical issues in advertising and public relations practices. Students can tailor their messages on the basis of understanding of cultural differences and engage with ethical concerns. Upon completing the program, students will achieve a wealth of knowledge, practical skills, and the ability to think critically and strategically in developing promotional media messages and strategies.

The Bachelor of Arts in Advertising/Public Relations is housed in the Communications Department. All production-related courses utilize the department’s facilities and equipment.

The B.A. in Audio Engineering at CSUDH is a hands-on, professionally-oriented program geared for students who want marketable job skills for careers in studio recording, live sound reinforcement, and sound design for television, film, and live theatre. Students track, mix, and master their own audio projects for television documentaries, public service announcements (PSA’s), instructional films, and a variety of client-based projects for nonprofit organizations, community groups, and corporate partners.

The mission of the Audio Engineering degree is to

1. provide an academic program that gives students a solid base in the theory and technology skills required for professional careers in the film and television industry;
2. provide hands-on experience in the basic software and hardware tools utilized in film and television production;
3. provide the opportunity for students to work in teams, applying their producing, directing, writing, editing, and engineering skills to produce a variety of professional-quality film and television products; and
4. develop interpersonal skills and professional demeanor that will enable students to work effectively and cooperatively as team players on collaborative projects in the industry.