Liberal Arts

The Bachelor of Liberal Arts (BLA) is a comprehensive undergraduate program in interdisciplinary studies at UAS. The BLA provides students with a focused yet flexible course of study in the Humanities with additional study options in Math, Natural Science, and Social Science. Open to all students wishing to pursue an under-graduate degree, the BLA is particularly well suited to students who have completed an Associates degree, transfer students from other universities, and returning students with previously completed university credits.



Bachelor of Liberal Arts Website »

Associate of Arts

Associate degree programs are areas of study designed to prepare students academically for admission to a bachelor degree program.

Typically an associate degree program is 60 credits (two years).

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (2012-2013 CATALOG)

Minimum Credit Hours60
General Education Requirements34
Written Communication Skills
ENGLS111Methods of Written Communication3
and
ENGLS211Intermediate Composition: Writing About Literature3
or
ENGLS212Technical Report Writing3
Select one from the following (3 credits):
COMMS111Fundamentals of Oral Communication3
COMMS235Small Group Communication and Team Building3
COMMS237Interpersonal Communication3
COMMS241Public Speaking*3
Fine Arts3
Humanities3
Social Science (select two separate disciplines)6
Humanities or Social Science3
Mathematics and Natural Science11-12
  • MATH S105**
  • Lab Science GER
  • Math or Non-Lab Science
Electives26
*Grade C or better
** Or higher

Bachelor of Liberal Arts

Bachelor degree programs are designed to prepare students for employment, or graduate school, in their chosen field.

Typically a bachelor degree program is 120 credits (four years).

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (2012-2013 CATALOG)

Courses in a degree program may be counted only once: that is, courses used as Major requirements cannot be used in other parts of the degree program. Courses used for GER credit cannot be used to fulfill Liberal Arts Major courses or must be replaced by substitute courses of equal credits.

Minimum Credit Hours120
GER35
Liberal Arts Major60
Electives/Minor25
The Liberal Arts Major combines Core and Emphasis courses. Of the 60 total credits required for the Major, 45 must be completed through UAS. Courses completed for the Liberal Arts Major must receive a grade of C (2.0) or better.
I. Liberal Arts Core
CORE REQUIREMENTS18
HUMS200Orientation to the Liberal Arts2
HUMS210Student Portfolio1
  Communications, Literature or Writing (upper-division elective)*3
  Philosophy (Introduction, Logic, or Ethics)**3
  Social Science, Math or Natural Science (elective)3-4
  Cultural Diversity Courses***6-8

*COMM S3XX, COMM S4XX, ENGL S3XX, ENGL S4XX
** PHIL S101, PHIL S201, PHIL S206, PHIL S301
***Cultural Diversity courses include: world languages, world history, Alaska Native languages, or BLA faculty advisor-approved courses in anthropology, art, communication, literature, and the humanities or social sciences, including transfer or study abroad courses, with an evident focus in cultural diversity.

Upon admission into the BLA program, students are required to enroll in Orientation to the Liberal Arts and Student Portfolio courses. These courses are designed to assist students in planning their program of study with the approval of their BLA faculty advisor. The portfolio is used for purposes of continuing self-assessment during the student’s BLA program. Students must complete the Orientation and Portfolio courses within the first three semesters after matriculation; those who do not will be dropped from the BLA program and must officially reapply for admission.

II. Liberal Arts Emphasis
EMPHASIS REQUIREMENTS42

General Requirements for all emphasis options:

  1. During the semester the student is admitted the BLA, an Emphasis option (listed below) must be formally declared by the student and approved by the BLA coordinator or the student’s faculty advisor.
  2. 24 minimum upper-division in credits required in the Emphasis program (18 minimum credits completed through UAS).
  3. Includes a Capstone Course: HUM S499 Humanities Capstone
LIBERAL ARTS EMPHASIS OPTIONS
In each BLA degree program, students pursue one of the following Emphasis options: Designated Emphasis, Interdisciplinary Studies, or Independent Design. Courses used for GER credit cannot be used to fulfill Liberal Arts Emphasis courses or must be replaced by substitute disciplinary courses of equal credits.
1. DESIGNATED EMPHASIS
A designated emphasis provides a focused course of study in the Liberal Arts not available through other baccalaureate degree programs offered through UAS.
COMMUNICATION
Primary Field Communication (COMM): 24 credits (minimum 15 credits upper-division).
Secondary Field of cross-disciplinary courses approved by the BLA Communication faculty advisor: 15 credits (minimum 6 credits upper division).
Capstone (3 credits): HUM S499 Humanities Capstone
LANGUAGE ARTS
Language Arts Fields: English (ENGL), Communication (COMM), Theatre (THR).
Primary Field: 24 credits (minimum 15 credits upper division).
Secondary Field: 15 credits (minimum 6 credits upper-division).
Capstone (3 credits): HUM S499 Humanities Capstone
2. INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
Interdisciplinary Studies provides academic depth to a general course of Liberal Arts study by combining cross disciplinary primary and secondary fields. Primary and secondary fields must be from different disciplines. The Interdisciplinary Studies program must be approved by the student’s BLA faculty advisor.
Primary Field: 24 credits (minimum 15 credits upper division).
Secondary Field: 15 credits (minimum 15 credits upper-division).
Capstone (3 credits): HUM S499 Capstone.
Primary Field
The primary field consists of BLA faculty advisor approved course electives (24 credits, minimum of 15 credits upper division) under one the following categories. In some instances, minimal course requirements are designated.
Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology (ANCH S202), Biological Anthropology (ANTH S205)
Art
Two-semester History or World Art survey (ART S261/S262
Communication
English
History
Two-semester History survey: History of the U.S. (HIST S131/S132) or World History (HIST S105/106) or Modern Europe (HIST S227/228) and Seminar in History: Selected Topics (HIST S492).
Humanities
Any two of the following Humanities disciplines: Art, Communications, English, History, Alaska Native Languages (including Tlingit, Haida), Modern Languages (including Spanish), Philosophy, Theatre, or BLA faculty advisor approved Humanities discipline.
Discipline 1: 12 credits (min. 9 credits upper division).
Discipline 2: 12 credits (min. 6 credits upper division).
Psychology
Introduction to Psychology (PSY S101), Research Methods and Statistics (STAT S107 or higher), Social Science Research Methods (SSCI S300), or BLA faculty advisor approved course.
Social Science
Any two of the following Social Science disciplines: Anthropology, Economics, Government (Political Science), History, Psychology, Sociology, or BLA faculty advisor approved Social Science discipline.
Discipline 1: 12 credits (min. 9 credits upper division).
Discipline 2: 12 credits (min. 6 credits upper division).
Theatre
Secondary Field
The secondary field, which must be from a different discipline than the primary field, consists of 15 credits (minimum 6 credits upper-division).
Liberal Arts secondary fields available at UAS include: Art, Biology, Communication, Creative Writing, Economics, English, Environmental Science, French, Government, History, Laws, Mathematics, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, Theatre, Tlingit Language.
3. INDEPENDENT DESIGN
This option is designed for highly motivated students who are interested in completing a BLA program that does not fall under any Designated Emphasis or Interdisciplinary Studies option. Independently designed BLA programs are available only to students who have a tenure-track faculty member who agrees to supervise their degree program. The student and supervisor will work together to design a degree proposal that provides a coherent body of knowledge at the baccalaureate level. The Independent Design must be approved by the supervising faculty member, the supervising faculty member’s department chair, and the Dean of Arts and Sciences. As the program is independently designed, there are no formal limitations on the structure of each student’s program beyond the required Liberal Arts Core. However, the Independent Design has rigorous emphasis requirements:
  1. 45 total credits for the BLA Liberal Arts Major must be completed while enrolled at UAS.
  2. 24 Emphasis credits minimum must be upper division.
  3. 30 Emphasis credits minimum must be completed after the Independent Design program is approved by the Dean of Arts and Sciences.

Any changes to a program in progress must be approved by the supervising faculty member, the supervising faculty member’s department chair, and the Dean of Arts and Sciences.

LIBERAL ARTS ELECTIVES/MINOR
ELECTIVES/MINOR REQUIREMENTS25
Courses from AA degrees, transfer credits from accredited universities or colleges, or other University of Alaska credits at the 100 level or higher may be counted for elective credit. A Minor field must differ from disciplinary coursework completed for the Liberal Arts Emphasis. Any overlap in specific courses between GER, the Liberal Arts Major, and a Minor requires course substitutions.

Minor in Philosophy

Minors are areas of study that students can use to expand the scope of their bachelor degree program (for example a student in a Art major can add a Business minor).

Typically a minor is 15 credits, it cannot be the same emphasis as the main degree program.

MINOR REQUIREMENTS (2012-2013 CATALOG)

Minimum Credit Hours18
PHILS101Introduction to Logic and Reasoning3
PHILS201Introduction to Philosophy3
PHILS206Symbolic Logic3
PHILS301Ethics3
PHILS371Perspectives on the Natural World3
PHILS290/S390Selected Topics in Philosophy3

UAS is an open enrollment institution, this means that you do not have to be in a UAS degree program to take a class. Anyone can take our classes as long as they meet the course pre-requisites.

View Full UAS Schedule

HUM Classes: Fall - 2013


Designed for first year students. Through a variety of readings, activities and discussions, examines the ways we relate to the places in which we find ourselves. Focus is on both the university and the Alaska wilderness as place through study in the humanities and social sciences, Students explore issues critical to their academic goals and objectives. Assists students in finding their place io the university setting.

Prerequisite: ENGL S092 or concurrent enrollment, or higher ENGL class or placement test results, or instructor permission.

CRNSECTIONINSTRUCTORMEETS
78117J01Kevin Maier
EG112
Tuesday
9:45a - 11:15a
9/3 - 11/19
EG113
Thursday
9:45a - 11:15a
9/3 - 11/19
EG112
Thursday
9:45a - 11:15a
9/3 - 11/19
OTHAINES
Sun, Sat
8:00a - 8:00p
11/16 - 11/17

All sections of HUM S120 share the Tuesday lectures, and break out into separate sections on Thursdays. A trip to the Haines Bald Eagle Festival is a required course component Nov 17 & 18. Students are required to travel as a group via ferry. All travel will be coordinated by UAS.

Tuition and fees: $568 (additional charges may apply)

CRNSECTIONINSTRUCTORMEETS
78118J02Daniel Monteith
EG112
Tuesday
9:45a - 11:15a
9/3 - 11/19
EG112
Thursday
9:45a - 11:15a
9/3 - 11/19
EG114
Thursday
9:45a - 11:15a
9/3 - 11/19
OTHAINES
Sun, Sat
8:00a - 8:00p
11/16 - 11/17

All sections of HUM S120 share the Tuesday lectures, and break out into separate sections on Thursdays. A trip to the Haines Bald Eagle Festival is a required course component Nov 17 & 18. Students are required to travel as a group via ferry. All travel will be coordinated by UAS.

Tuition and fees: $568 (additional charges may apply)

CRNSECTIONINSTRUCTORMEETS
78119J03Cathy Connor
EG112
Tuesday
9:45a - 11:15a
9/3 - 11/19
EG115
Thursday
9:45a - 11:15a
9/3 - 11/19
EG112
Thursday
9:45a - 11:15a
9/3 - 11/19
OTHAINES
Sun, Sat
8:00a - 8:00p
11/16 - 11/17

All sections of HUM S120 share the Tuesday lectures, and break out into separate sections on Thursdays. A trip to the Haines Bald Eagle Festival is a required course component Nov 17 & 18. Students are required to travel as a group via ferry. All travel will be coordinated by UAS.

Tuition and fees: $568 (additional charges may apply)

Introduction to fundamental issues and texts of the liberal arts. Examines classical and contemporary texts, issues, and interpretations. A required core course in the Bachelor of Liberal Arts program.

Prerequisite: ENGL S111 (C or better) and concurrent enrollment in HUM S210.

CRNSECTIONINSTRUCTORMEETS
78121J01Kevin Maier
HB205
Tuesday
1:15p - 2:45p
9/3 - 12/14

Requires concurrent enrollment in both HUM 200 and 210.

Tuition and fees: $342 (additional charges may apply)

CRNSECTIONINSTRUCTORMEETS
79687KD1Clare Bennett
DISTELIVE
Mon, Wed
9:00a - 10:00a
9/3 - 12/14

Delivered via web with required elive online meetings. Requires access to internet, email, MSWord and microphone/headset. Go to course site at https://online.uas.alaska.edu/online for course information. Students must order books; go to http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/ualaska.htm for book information. Call 1-888-550-6177 with questions or for registration information.

Tuition and fees: $382 (additional charges may apply)

CRNSECTIONINSTRUCTORMEETS
79689KD2Clare Bennett
DISTELIVE
Tue, Thu
12:00p - 1:00p
9/3 - 12/14

Delivered via web with required elive online meetings. Requires access to internet, email, MSWord and microphone/headset. Go to course site at https://online.uas.alaska.edu/online for course information. Students must order books; go to http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/ualaska.htm for book information. Call 1-888-550-6177 with questions or for registration information.

Tuition and fees: $382 (additional charges may apply)

Students develop and assemble an assessment portfolio that will be maintained and updated throughout the Bachelor of Liberal Arts (BLA) program. Required course for the BLA degree.

Prerequisite: ENGL S111 (C or better) and concurrent enrollment in HUM S200.

CRNSECTIONINSTRUCTORMEETS
78122J01Kevin Maier
HB205
Thursday
1:15p - 2:45p
9/3 - 12/14

Requires concurrent enrollment in both HUM 200 and 210.

Tuition and fees: $171 (additional charges may apply)

CRNSECTIONINSTRUCTORMEETS
79690KD1William Urquhart Ii
DISTWEB
9/3 - 12/14

Delivered via web. Requires access to internet, email, MSExcel and MSWord. Go to course site at https://online.uas.alaska.edu/online for course information. Students must order books; go to http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/ualaska.htm for book information. Call 1-888-550-6177 with questions or for registration information.

Tuition and fees: $211 (additional charges may apply)

CRNSECTIONINSTRUCTORMEETS
79858KD2William Urquhart Ii
DISTWEB
9/3 - 12/14

Delivered via web. Requires access to internet, email, MSExcel and MSWord. Go to course site at https://online.uas.alaska.edu/online for course information. Students must order books; go to http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/ualaska.htm for book information. Call 1-888-550-6177 with questions or for registration information.

Tuition and fees: $211 (additional charges may apply)

Understanding leisure is a key part of understanding who we are on a cultural and personal level. Leisure activities play an important role in developing our sense of identity. What is the function of leisure and recreation in American society, and why do we understand them as we do? Course introduces the concept of leisure from historical and philosophical perspectives, considered from various cultures and times. Special attention is given to sport and outdoor recreation.

Prerequisite: ENGL S111.

CRNSECTIONINSTRUCTORMEETS
79165J01Kevin Krein
EG223
Tue, Thu
3:00p - 4:30p
9/3 - 12/14

Tuition and fees: $513 (additional charges may apply)

 
 

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