Bachelor of Liberal Studies Individualized Major

The Department of Liberal Studies continues the tradition of Mercer's founder, Jesse Mercer, by making a liberal arts foundation for professional and personal development accessible to working adults throughout Georgia. Our commitment to students who participate in our courses and programs is to assist them in developing their capacities for critical thinking and communication, and in deepening their understanding of the diverse culture in which we live as a foundation for meaningful living and responsible citizenship.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies Degree

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree with its individualized major is designed for those students who want a bachelor’s degree for their personal and professional development. Consistent with the University’s goal to offer “programs based upon a strong liberal arts foundation,” the Bachelor of Liberal Studies program provides a curriculum responsive to the individual’s instructional choices and the College’s instructional capabilities. The B.L.S degree provides an individualized program of study in a select range of courses and fosters students’ ability to think critically and constructively in relation to their self-chosen academic goals. While this degree allows students to propose their own programs of study, it broadens their academic perspectives by emphasizing interdisciplinarity as a method of comprehension and understanding. Students who wish to focus their studies in the liberal arts will find a variety of options for designing a program consistent with their interests. Students who bring with them previous academic work may find that with this program they are able to complete their studies in good fashion by combining their work in various fields.

The Bachelor of Liberal studies degree focuses on several general student learning outcomes that are consistent with all of the individualized programs of studies. As specific programs of study are developed for each student, additional student learning outcomes may be specified by a student’s degree program advisor(s). Upon the completion of the Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree the successful student should be able to:

• Write effectively and clearly in a variety of academic formats that demonstrate well developed and connected patterns of thought.

• Speak effectively and clearly in a variety of settings that demonstrate well developed and connected patterns of thought.

• Think critically and apply critical thinking skills in academic learning experiences grounded in the liberal arts tradition.

• Create an effective interdisciplinary synthesis between their selected concentrations and their broader program of study

• Understand and interpret the themes and issues associated with their areas of concentration.

• Analyze and construct arguments based on evidence and the work and interpretations of other sources.

• Engage in research across disciplines

Required Courses

In addition to the courses required of all Liberal Studies majors, students may in consultation with their advisor, choose concentrations in any of the three areas of study below.

Humanities

Choose two of the following 15-hour areas of concentration

Interdisciplinary Studies

Choose two of the following 15-hour areas of concentration

Individualized Studies

In consultation with your advisor develop your own program of study, by:

Total Hours: 39 credit hours

Minors

Communication
18 Semester Hours
Students should select 18 hours of 200 level or above communication courses not counted as general education requirements or as requirements in their major.

Historical Studies
18 semester hours
Students should select 18 hours of 200 level or above from history courses not counted
as general education requirements or requirements in their major.

Literary Studies
18 Semester Hours
Students should select any 18 hours of 200 level or above, including at least 6 hours at the 300 level listed in the English subject area that are not counted as general education requirements or as requirements in their major.

Religious Studies
18 Semester Hours
Students may obtain this minor by selecting 6 courses from the religious studies area or, with departmental approval, related or special topics courses, in addition to those counted in the general education requirements and those of their major.