Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies

at State University of New York College at Brockport USA

As the nations of the world become more interconnected and interdependent, proficiency in other languages is a vital skill that allows you to engage with the world in a more immediate and meaningful way. French language and culture studies prepare you for future opportunities to compete and succeed in the global economy. Through interdisciplinary instruction and the development of intercultural understanding, our curriculum is designed to help you become proficient in French and prepares you to reach your career aspirations in your chosen field of interest. We encourage our students to double major and to participate in study abroad programs in French-speaking countries sponsored by the Center for Global Education and Engagement.

The French major consists of 33 credits and enables students to acquire an advanced level of proficiency in the language. Literature and culture courses are designed to provide a historical, political and social overview of the French-speaking world. All courses are taught in French unless otherwise noted. As with all other undergraduate degrees, students in this major must also complete the General Education program requirements.

Recent Modern Languages and Cultures' graduates have gone on to highly competitive Master's and PhD programs in Higher Education Administration, TESOL, French Literature, and Counseling at recognized research universities. Others have joined the workforce as Bilingual, French, and Spanish elementary and high-school teachers in Rochester and around NY state, ESL teachers for adult learners, translators, interpreters for defense attorneys, social workers, law enforcement officers, and health professionals.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of a baccalaureate degree in French, graduates will be able to:

• Narrate and describe using a variety of time frames, extended discourse, and specialized vocabulary.
• Deliver oral presentations on a wide variety of topics, using a variety of strategies to tailor the presentation to the needs of their audience.
• Narrate and describe in all major time frames with good control of aspect and a range of general vocabulary in writing for personal and professional needs.
• Identify the main facts and many supporting details in conventional narrative and descriptive oral texts.
• Identify some of the essential points of argumentative texts in areas of special interest or knowledge.
• Explain key perspectives of some French-speaking cultures within a comparative framework and connect them to cultural products and practices.
• Interpret and synthesize ideas and critical issues from a wide range of historical and contemporary cultural artifacts.

The Department of Dance at SUNY Brockport seeks to provide a rigorous and nurturing environment for the development of artists, scholars, choreographers, and educators. We support creativity through conceptualization and performance. The Department of Dance comprises artists, scholars, and educators who train dancers on the graduate and undergraduate level for a wide variety of careers in the arts.

The department has some of the best dance facilities in the country, including its own fully equipped proscenium dance theater, a large-space studio theater, five studios, a body-conditioning lab, costume and scene shops, and computerized music and design studios. Faculty and professional staff are nationally and internationally recognized in their areas of expertise and are leaders in professional organizations such as CORD, NASD and NDEO.

Undergraduates with a strong foundation of dance training are invited to participate in the program by auditioning to enroll as dance majors or minors in the BA or BS programs, and are eligible to apply to the BFA program in the second semester. Additionally, the department offers three graduate degrees, and serves a large number of students through courses that fulfill General Education requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Apply artistry through qualitative and rhythmic phrasing, dynamic range & individual expressivity.
• Embody consistently clear physical knowledge, movement accuracy and technical expertise of contemporary dance idioms.
• Create choreography that integrates imaginative and structural concepts.
• Articulate an understanding of aesthetics through dance-making and/or oral and written forms.
• Analyze human movement from varied theoretical and experiential perspectives.
• Identify individual interests and abilities in order to situate within the larger dance field.
• Exhibit appropriate professional conduct throughout choreographic process, performance, collaboration, and production.

Exercise science is the study of how the human body responds and adapts to exercise. In practice, exercise scientists are responsible for designing and implementing exercise programs for a wide breadth of populations. They work to improve the health and performance of individuals by conducting physiological assessments and using that information to design effective exercise programs. In addition, exercise science is a terrific undergraduate-level foundation for students looking to pursue graduate school in an allied health care field.

Exercise science students have the opportunity to match their area of interest with one of two concentrations within the major. Hence all students must select either: 1) The Exercise for Health Promotion Concentration, or 2) The Strength and Conditioning Concentration. All majors take the set amount of core courses before branching off into their concentration.

Exercise for Health Promotion Concentration
Students who pursue this concentration enjoy working with the general population and/or have an interest in clinical exercise science, such as cardiac rehabilitation. This concentration is designed to prepare students to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist Exam.

Strength and Conditioning Concentration
Students who pursue this concentration enjoy working with athletes and have a strong interest in resistance training. This concentration is designed to prepare students to sit for the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• The student will be able to describe the core principles of exercise physiology and related exercise science for the general population.
• The student will be able to independently evaluate the five components of fitness of a client and then design an appropriate, safe, and effective training program to meet the client's needs.
• The student will identify the principles of clinical exercise physiology, as well as describe the pathophysiology of disease and their associated risk factors.
• The student will describe the principles of nutrition and physical activity behavior change in order to promote healthful living.
• The student will identify and explain the issues of safety, injury prevention, emergency procedures and program administration related to exercise program development and implementation.
• The student will apply the principles of exercise science in a practical learning environment.
• The student will describe the ethical demands/challenges of the exercise science related professions and the human/social context in which graduates will work.
• As a result of preparation by our curriculum, students will be prepared for, and participate in, a national credentialing exam (i.e. ACSM HFS, NSCA CSCS, etc.).
• Our undergraduates will complete their B.S. degree in Exercise Science and will be employed and/or accepted to graduate school within a year of graduation.

The bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in liberal studies degrees provide a wide range of educational options leading to an individualized educational program. The required seminar courses are offered online and through independent study while the electives may be completed online, hybrid or in a traditional classroom. The program focuses on social sciences, natural sciences, humanities/fine arts, and an individualized area of research.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Student learning outcomes (SLOs) for Liberal Studies students must be understood in the context of a multidisciplinary program with no prescribed core of specific courses (although there is a core of prescribed disciplinary categories), considerable variation in courses making up each Liberal Studies candidate's plan of study (POS), and each student's differing personal and professional goals. Nevertheless, a number of SLOs are expected for all Liberal Studies candidates. These include:

• Contributors to Knowledge – Examine the unique perspective of the arts and humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences as contributors to knowledge.
• Multidisciplinary Nature of Knowledge – Analyze the multidisciplinary nature of knowledge, and assess the value of a multidisciplinary approach to scholarship.
• Self and Nature within Contemporary Society – Provide examples of the way in which insights and methodologies from the arts and humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences contribute to an understanding of one's self and nature within contemporary society.
• Knowledge Skills and Application – Assess interrelationships between areas of knowledge and skill within the Plan of Study, illustrate how these areas provide an integrated holistic overview.
• Critical Reasoning – Use critical reasoning skills to evaluate and synthesize knowledge from different disciplinary perspectives.
• Effective Communication – Employ effective communication skills through coherent and well-organized written and verbal presentations.

Geology majors must earn a minimum of 42 credits in required core courses and complete two semesters each of physics, calculus and chemistry. This major offers sound training in the study of the earth and its resources, and equips the student for pursuit of careers in geology leading to professional licensure, and for graduate studies in geochemistry, petroleum exploration, paleontology, hydrogeology, ground water, environmental geology, or sedimentology/stratigraphy.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Explain the manner with which variables and data, relevant for geology, are properly collected using discipline appropriate methodology (fieldwork, instrumentation, remote sensing, or derived products from models).
• Properly interpret geology data using discipline-accepted qualitative analysis.
• Properly interpret geology data using discipline-accepted quantitative analysis.
• Define a scientific question and develop a methodology for answering it.
• Locate, evaluate and interpret primary source scientific literature.
• Effectively express geology concepts and research results following the accepted written format for the discipline.
• Explain geology concepts and communicate research results following the accepted oral format for the discipline.

From asylum-seekers at our nation’s borders to concerns about police-community relations, and fears over active shooters, our local communities and nation rely upon law enforcement and human rights professionals to deal with society’s complex problems, many originating systematically from macro process of globalization and economic restructuring.

Our Community Justice majors will be instructed in cultural competency, anthropological research methodologies (including forensics), the principles of the criminal justice system and the complexities of ethics and justice.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ predictions, by 2026, one can expect the addition of new jobs in the following occupations: 800 new jobs for emergency management directors, 8,200 for police, fire and ambulance dispatchers, 53,400 for police and detectives, and 65,000 for lawyers. Certain occupations relevant to this new major are forecasted to experience faster than average growth (7%), such as the following: Arbitrators and Mediators at 10%, private detectives and investigators at 11%, and community and service managers at 18%.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this major, students should be able to do the following:

• To articulate the discursive and theoretical complexities concerning what is community and what is justice and how these two concepts intersect.
• To demonstrate cultural competency and knowledge of human biodiversity through time and across cultures.
• To develop effective arguments using sound cross-cultural critical thinking when evaluating issues related to social control, crime prevention, community development, punishment, adjudication and human rights.
• To collect, analyze and present data (in oral and written language), in accordance with related ethical standards.

The English Major Adolescent Education Inclusive Generalist Track will allow students to prepare for CSTs in English and SWD-Generalist certification. Students will complete a program of study to teach English in grades 5-12 and Students with Disabilities as a Generalist 7-12. The program allows every student who so chooses the option of preparing for a career as an English teacher and as a Generalist special education teacher. Students in this track may pursue either the Literature or Creative Writing concentrations.

The English major is designed for students who wish to pursue a passion for reading and writing, and for those who seek a versatile education as they prepare for careers in education, law, business administration, public relations, advertising, government, or any field where analytical excellence and effective use of the English language are essential. English majors choose between a literature or creative writing concentration, where their course work is designed to develop analytical, research, and creative skills.

The Major in English Adolescence Inclusive Education Generalist Track (EAIEG) is a 126-credit program. It includes 46 credits of EDI/PRO courses and 36 credits to complete the English Major Content Core. As with all other undergraduate degrees, students in the program will have to complete 32 credits of General Education courses. Because some General Education courses also count as content core or pedagogy core, there will be room for electives. This curriculum meets the requirements for initial certification as outlined by the State Education Department for Adolescence Education (grades 5 through 12). Students will have an assigned advisor in the English department who will work closely with colleagues in the Department of Education.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program,

Creative Writing Track students will be able to:

• Analyze the relationship between literary form and meaning, taking into consideration literary techniques and devices.
• Construct arguments about literary works using historical contexts.
• Apply basic elements of creative writing craft, including such elements as control of form and figurative language.
• Identify reputable and relevant sources, and incorporate the words and ideas of others without misrepresentation and with appropriate documentation practices.
• Write in conformity with standard usage and grammar.

Literature Track students will be able to:

• Analyze the relationship between literary form and meaning, taking into consideration literary techniques and devices.
• Construct arguments about literary works using historical contexts.
• Argue with a command of the rhetorical strategies, terms, and major interpretive methods characteristic of academic writing in the Humanities.
• Identify reputable and relevant sources, and incorporate the words and ideas of others without misrepresentation and with appropriate documentation practices.
• Write in conformity with standard usage and grammar.

The study of philosophy is excellent preparation for a career in any field that requires clear, analytical thinking, writing, and speaking, including law, government, teaching and education, the ministry, business and management, publishing, and many other fields. Philosophy is traditionally considered the premier major for those planning to apply to law school. Philosophy majors score on average significantly higher on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) than do the majors in any of the humanities or social sciences, including political science, history, and English; and philosophy majors on average are accepted to law school at higher rates than are students majoring in many other popular pre-law fields. Philosophy is also an excellent double major.

The Department of Philosophy sponsors the College's chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honors Philosophy Society, which recognizes student academic excellence. The Department also operates the Center for Philosophic Exchange, which sponsors free public guest lectures on campus by distinguished philosophers and publishes the on-line journal, Philosophic Exchange.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Present a philosophical problem, by (1) concisely and precisely stating a philosophical problem to be resolved by an argument or essay, (2) explaining why the problem is significant, (3) explaining the scope of the problem, (4) defining any terms necessary for understanding the problem.
• Explicate the meaning of a philosophical theory by (1) correctly deducing the logical implications of that theory, (2) describing those implications in terms of specific examples, (3) recognizing when another statement or theory contradicts the relevant theory explicitly, (4) recognizing when another statement or theory contradicts the relevant theory implicitly.
• Demonstrate understanding of evidence by (1) correctly stating what counts as relevant evidence for a philosophical position, (2) correctly stating what counts as relevant evidence against the argument for a philosophical position and recognizing that evidence as such, (3) explaining why any cited evidence is relevant or irrelevant to a philosophical position, (4) distinguishing evidentiary claims about a philosophical position from rhetorically persuasive but specious claims about a philosophical position.
• Demonstrate knowledge of logic, by (1) recognizing arguments, (2) constructing good arguments, (3) evaluating arguments, (4) avoiding fallacies (e.g. begging the question).
• Demonstrate knowledge of dialectical method in philosophy, by (1) formulating possible objections to the thesis of an essay, (2) formulating possible objections to the argument for the essay's thesis, (3) responding to possible objections to the essay's thesis by showing that they are mistaken, (4) responding to possible objections to the argument for the essay's thesis by showing that they are mistaken.

This dual certification major is designed to prepare students for initial certification in both Biology and Student with Disabilities (SWD)-Generalist in grades 7 to 12, with extension to teach Biology in grades 5 and 6. In addition, this major prepares students for the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) required for the dual certification.

The major in Biology Adolescence Inclusive (7-12) Education with Grades 5 and 6 Extension includes 43 credits of EDI (Education and Human Development), and 57-58 credits to complete the Biology Content Core. This curriculum meets the requirements for initial dual certification as outlined by The New York State Education Department (SED) for Adolescent Education (grades 5 through 12).

What You’ll Learn

This dual certification major is designed to prepare students for initial certification in both Biology and Student with Disabilities (SWD)-Generalist in grades 7-12 with extension to teach Biology in grades 5-6.

In addition, this major prepares students for the Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) required for the dual certification.

The 60-credit Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Dance in performance and choreography provides opportunities to work with national and internationally recognized dance makers, teachers and professionals. Recognized as a terminal degree, MFA study at Brockport merges a studio-centered curriculum in dance-making and dance technique, with studies in dance pedagogy, theory, aesthetics and production.

Upon completion of their degrees, Brockport MFA recipients go on to become college and university faculty, teaching artists, performers and choreographers, dance administrators, and private studio directors.  MFA students and faculty establish a unique learning community of committed artists/scholars who are working to develop and sustain their careers and deepen their relationship to dance.

While at Brockport, graduate students may perform in faculty and guest artist work, choreograph their own work, or assist in directing departmental touring performances. They may also travel to regional/national conferences and festivals; to countries with complimentary foreign study programs such as Ghana, England, Brazil or Norway; or to New York City and other locations for approved and credited apprenticeships, internships or dance study.

The Department of Dance offers an MFA in Dance, or an MA in Dance. The Department of Dance seeks to provide a rig
 rigorous and nurturing environment for the development of artists, scholars, choreographers, and educators. We support creativity through conceptualization and performance

The department has some of the best dance facilities in the country, including its own fully equipped 300-seat proscenium dance theater, a 270-seat large-space studio theater, five studios, a body-conditioning lab, and computerized music and design studios. Faculty and professional staff are nationally and internationally recognized in their areas of expertise and are leaders in professional organizations such as CORD, NASD and NDEO. SUNY Brockport is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Apply artistry and individual expressivity across a range of movement aesthetics.
• Embody physical mastery of a variety of contemporary dance idioms.
• Generate and design choreography that demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of compositional tools and aesthetic framework.
• Articulate a critical understanding of aesthetics regarding dance styles through dance making, and/or oral and written forms.
• Summarize and synthesize concepts regarding history, aesthetics, and culture of dance.
• Identify and investigate an individual research agenda in creative and/or written scholarship.
• Situate individual interests in the context of the larger dance field.
• Exhibit appropriate professional conduct throughout choreographic process, performance, collaboration, and production.