A major is a coordinated group of upper-division courses (courses numbered 100-199) in a field of specialization. All majors contain a minimum of 36-units of upper division courses, although the number of required units in each major varies.
The College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences offers three different types of majors:
- Departmental majors. A single department, i.e., History, English, etc.
- Interdisciplinary majors: A group of related courses involving a number of departments/disciplines
- Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Individualized Major: A group of courses chosen to meet a special interest not covered by existing majors.
The Interdisciplinary majors in the College of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences are:
| Liberal Studies Interdisciplinary Studies Two concentration option Communication Studies Global Studies |
Public Policy Latin American Studies Asian Studies Asian Literature and Cultures Media and Culture Studies |
Reasons to Choose an Interdisciplinary Major
Some interdisciplinary majors, such as Liberal Studies, help prepare you for specific careers. This major provides broad subject matter coverage needed to pass the required California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) as a part of the teaching credential process.
Other Interdisciplinary majors, such as Global Studies, exam a topic by taking courses from a broad range of disciplines such as Economics, English literature, History, Political Science, Media and Culture Studies and others to gain the needed insights into trends in globalization.
An Interdisciplinary major can also allow you to address multiple areas of interest such as the Interdisciplinary Studies Two Concentration Option.
Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Major (Individualized major) offers courses of broad interest, and students with interests not readily satisfied through existing departments and programs may develop individual majors under the direction of special faculty sponsors. The consent of the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Program Committee and the associate dean are required. The title of the major will be entered on the official degree list and on the official transcript. Diplomas will read “Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Interdisciplinary” with the individual field of concentration specified.
What is a minor?
The College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences offers minor programs; however, no student is required to take a minor. Minors are not degree-granting majors; they are sequences of supplemental courses designed to enhance work in certain areas. For instance, you might want to go to Law school and decide to major in English and then minor in Philosophy to further enhance your critical thinking skills. Minors in the college shall consist of no less than 16 and no more than 28 units of organized upper-division course work.
