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Courses approved for Theme 3 must:
1. contain a significant commitment to and provide a
breadth of coverage of social and behavioral science
perspectives to knowledge as reflected in required readings,
lectures, and assignments in the course;
2. contain a strong independent learning component to include
library research appropriate to the social and behavioral
sciences and to include significant writing assignment(s)
designed to promote students’ understanding of and familiarity
with the current literature in the social and behavioral
sciences; and
3. require as a prerequisite a lower division Area D course.
Specific Student Learning Outcomes for Theme 3 Courses
(Findings of Roundtable Discussion for GE Area D and
Theme 3 on 2/26, 2002)
Upon completion of the Theme 3 requirement, the
student will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following
areas:
| Goal 1:
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Understand the basic methodologies,
whether quantitative or qualitative, of at least two
social sciences (Anthropology, Criminal Justice,
Economics, Political Science, Psychology, and
Sociology).
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| Objective 1: |
Explain the basic methodological
approaches of two social sciences.
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| Objective 2: |
Distinguish social science
methodology from other ways of knowing and understanding
the social world. |
| Goal 2:
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Know the basic concepts and theories of the social sciences.
|
| Objective 1: |
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic
terms and concepts of two or more social sciences.
|
| Objective 2: |
Demonstrate knowledge of
major theories within two different disciplines.
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| Objective 3: |
Describe what aspects of
the social world are investigated by the different
social sciences (i.e., the domains of the social
sciences). |
| Goal 3:
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Apply social science methods and principles to understand the
social world of the United States and the world beyond its
borders.
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| Objective 1: |
Apply social science methods and
principles to understand significant American economic,
cultural, political, and social phenomena and trends.
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| Objective 2: |
Apply social science
methods and principles to understand world affairs and
trends.
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| Objective 3: |
Apply social science
methods and principles to understand individual and
group behaviors.
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| Objective 4: |
Apply social science
methods and principles to understand diversity issues
within the United States and throughout the world. |
Modification of Theme 3 Course Standards
To properly respond to the changing needs of the University, the
Theme 3 Committee will periodically review the criteria for
Theme 3 courses and make changes where appropriate. Such reviews
will be based on the input derived from an annual group
discussion of the instructors of Theme Three courses. The
discussion, to be hosted by the TLC, will take place in the
Spring Quarter of each year. The discussion group will provide
an opportunity for instructors to better align course content
with the Theme 3 objectives.
Approval Process for Theme 3 Courses
Each of the programs responsible for course offerings in Theme 3
(BA/PA, Criminal Justice, Economics, Political Science,
Psychology, and Sociology-Anthropology) will designate which
courses they will offer for Theme 3 credit, subject to the
standards described above. Programs have primary responsibility
for ensuring that their courses adhere to the guidelines.
Syllabi for Theme 3 courses will be provided to the Theme 3
committee, but full review will occur only when requested by a
majority vote of the Theme 3 committee.
Each of the designated Theme 3 Programs may specify any number
of Theme 3 courses that will satisfy the requirement, subject to
the standards above.
Courses from programs other than designated Theme 3 programs
(defined above) may be approved by the Theme 3 Committee after a
full review of those courses. Decisions concerning the
acceptance of these courses will be based upon:
1. adherence to the course standards as described above, and
2. programmatic concerns, including student demand and the
impact upon courses already approved for Theme 3.
Course Scheduling
Beginning Fall Quarter 2003, each responsible program for Theme
3 has the option of offering up to eight courses or sections
of courses each academic year. Theme 3 courses offered in
summer sessions and at the CSUB/AV campus will not be counted
toward the eight-course/section rule. To promote the quality and
integrity of Theme 3 courses, an enrollment ceiling of 45
students will be imposed on each class so as to better
enable faculty members to design and offer courses that fully
meet the prescribed Theme 3 standards.
Specific time blocks will be determined on a quarter-by-quarter
basis, with the objective of making Theme 3 courses available to
students in a variety of time blocks to allow students with
various scheduling needs to take these courses. Within these
broad guidelines, courses will be scheduled to be compatible
with instructor and departmental interests, with each program
offering courses in time blocks that appeal to differing student
scheduling needs.
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