Hutchins School of Liberal Arts

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Department Office
Rachel Carson Hall 44
(707) 664-2491
www.sonoma.edu/hutchins

Director
Stephanie Dyer

Analyst/Specialist
Rheannon Torres

Program Advisor
Donna Garbesi

Faculty

Stephanie Dyer
Ben Frymer
Ajay Gehlawat
Janet Hess
Justine Law
Eric McGuckin
Mutombo M’Panya
Wendy Ostroff
Hilda Mercedes Romero
Francisco H. Vázquez

Overview

A nationally recognized leader in the movement for reform in higher education, the Hutchins School has maintained its commitment to innovative pedagogy and interdisciplinary inquiry into vital issues of modern concern since its inception in 1969. The program is designed to encourage students to take themselves seriously as readers, writers, and thinkers capable of continuing their own educational process throughout their lives.

The Hutchins School is an interdisciplinary school within Sonoma State University offering lower-division students an alternative CSU articulated and approved General Education program that integrates material from the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. It also offers upper-division students a similarly integrated major in Liberal Studies leading to a B.A. degree. It offers a multiple subject preparation program for pre-credential students, and a blended program leading to a B.A. and multiple subject teaching credential in four years. A minor in integrative studies is offered, as well.

The Hutchins School has several distinctive features:

• An emphasis on active participation in one’s own education, on self-motivation, and on learning to learn
• Small, seminar classes
• Close cooperation and a feeling of community among students and professors
• A diverse faculty, each member trained in more than one field of study, to help students learn how to approach a problem from several points of view
• Courses organized around themes or questions, rather than according to the traditional division of subject matter into disciplines
• Encouragement to engage in independent study projects and study abroad programs
• Internship/field study to bridge academic studies with career placements and community service
• An opportunity for student-instructed courses

Hutchins is also committed to offering students opportunities for contributing to and learning from local communities. Some courses include a service learning component which enhances the reading, writing, and discussion of shared materials through applied service projects. These courses provide hands-on experience for students while also creating valuable partnerships with local community organizations. Through service, Hutchins students can draw connections between what they discuss in seminar with how they live their lives, enabling them to integrate critical thinking, active participation, and careful reflection.

Students in other majors may complete a Hutchins School integrative studies minor to help place their disciplines in a wider intellectual context.

Careers in Liberal Studies

Hutchins School graduates do especially well in teaching, counseling, social services, law, media, journalism, and many types of businesses. They have entered graduate programs in fields as diverse as American studies, anthropology, business, counseling, English, history, law, library science, management, medieval studies, physics, religion, sociology, student services and theatre arts.

Students seeking a preparation for teaching credential in elementary education can enroll in the Track II: Subject Matter Preparation for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. If freshmen prefer an accelerated track, they can enroll in the Track III: Blended Program, which allows them to complete their B.A. degree and complete all requirements for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in four years. Students may transfer to another SSU program at the end of any semester without loss of credit successfully completed in the Hutchins program.

Whatever their particular interests, all Hutchins students are challenged to read perceptively; to think both critically and imaginatively; to express their thoughts and feelings in writing, speech, and other media; and to make productive use of dialogue and discussion. By developing these skills, students will be ready to take a position in a democratic society as thoughtful, active citizens conversant in a broad range of disciplinary perspectives. Through seminar discussions, essays, research, and other assignments, students will be prepared for a wide variety of careers in which creative, independent thinking and effective written and oral communication are the prime requisites.

Admission

In general, the Hutchins School accepts students at the freshman or junior level for fall admission only, although exceptions are made depending on space availability. When applying to the University, all students seeking admission to the Hutchins School should list Liberal Studies/Hutchins, Hutchins School as their major.

Students applying as freshmen must test into college level English. Students seeking admission into the Hutchins Blended Program as freshmen must test into college level English and math.

Students already at Sonoma State seeking admission into the Hutchins program must undergo a separate application process by February 28 for the fall semester and October 30 for the spring semester. Students can begin this application process by contacting the Hutchins Main Office.

Students seeking admission to Track II as junior transfers must complete all lower-division general education requirements, with specific requirements in the following areas. Students may take these courses while enrolled in the major:

• BIOL 110 - Biological Inquiry  (or equivalent)
• Chemistry, physics, or astronomy course
• Geology or physical geography
• MATH 150 - Modern Geometry  (General Education math may fulfill this requirement for off-campus transfers)
• A course in the history of the visual arts, focused on drawing, painting, or sculpture
• A survey or history course in the performing arts: dance, music, or theatre

When entering the Track III Blended Program as freshmen students must file a separate application directly with the department available at: http://www.sonoma.edu/hutchins/student/student-forms.html.

Programs

• Integrative Studies, Minor
• Liberal Studies (Hutchins) B.A.
• Liberal Studies (Saturday Degree Completion), B.A.

Return to: School of Arts and Humanities