Hutchins School of Liberal Studies

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

Director
Stephanie Dyer

Program Advisor
Donna Garbesi

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
• 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 and study abroad programs
• Internships to bridge academic studies with career placements

Careers in Liberal Studies

Hutchins School graduates do especially well in teaching, counseling, social services, law, media, journalism, and many types of business career paths. They have entered graduate programs in fields as diverse as American Studies, Anthropology, Business, Counseling, Cultural Studies, Education, English, History, Law, Library Science, Management, Medieval Studies, Physics, Religion, Sociology, Student Services,Theatre Arts, and Women and Gender Studies.

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 students 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. Students may transfer to another SSU program at the end of any semester without loss of credit 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

When applying to the University, all students seeking admission to the Hutchins School should list Liberal Studies Hutchins as their major.

Current Sonoma State students who wish to enroll in Hutchins courses must declare the Hutchins program. Students can begin this process by contacting the Hutchins Main Office.

Students seeking admission to Track II or Track III as junior transfers must complete all lower-division general education requirements, with specific requirements in the following multiple subject teacher preparation subject matter areas.  Track II 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

Programs

• Liberal Studies (Hutchins) B.A.
• Liberal Studies (Saturday Degree Completion), B.A.
• Track II: Multiple Subject Preparation Program (Pre-credential elementary teaching), B.A.
• Track III: Blended Program (4 year accelerated plan B.A. Plus Multiple Subject Credential), B.A.

• Integrative Studies, Minor

Return to: School of Arts and Humanities