Sample Proposal I: "Bookstore Management" Proposed B.A. in Liberal Studies John Hagerstown — Soc. Sec. 292-42-7690 1999 Centennial Drive, Cumberland, Md. 21502 301/689-5555 (Work) 301/707-5555 (Home) E-mail: Jhagers@mindspring.com Title: Bookstore Management (The title must not duplicate any existing FSU major programs) Self-Statement (All self-statements must briefly and clearly address how your planned course of study will contribute your life plans) Throughout my last four years of work at a local bookstore I have enjoyed working with the public, responding to their questions and concerns and assisting them to find published material they seek. I have learned much of the basic organization of a bookstore and the essential skills. At this point, however, I need to begin thinking about a more permanent position than as clerk/salesperson. Now approaching age 30, I would like to find a livelihood that will both fulfill my interests and offer a reasonable standard of living. To respond to the needs of the general public, I will need to know something about a large number of subjects: to this end, I will be building upon my AA degree in Library Science from Whitman College by taking a very wide of varying classes in my Liberal Core. Liberal Core. I am currently enrolled in Art Appreciation, Cosmic Concepts, Aesthetics, and Modern and Postmodern American fiction, and next semester I will take an advanced Psychology course and an advanced (490) special topics course in History on the history of film. I have also gained special permission to enroll in Honors Advanced Composition next semester as my additional communication course. The topic for that class, Utopias and Dystopias, is interdisciplinary (incorporating literature and history, philosophy and sociology) and will permit me to practice my skills of research. Focus Area. I clearly need to explore what is involved in setting up my own business: to this purpose I will build my Liberal Studies Focus Area curriculum around the accounting minor. I will supplement those 18 credits with an additional 6 hours of computer science classes. My Capstone will be an independent study course with Dr. Schlegel, who has agreed to construct a reading list of American fiction dealing with business issues, especially with business ethical concerns, such as Sinclair Lewis' Babbit and at least one of John Updike's novels, perhaps Rabbit at Rest. The final product for that course will be a 20+ page paper that traces through at least ten separate works of fiction the ethical problems that American business people have faced and continue to confront. My completed "checklist" confirms my intent to complete all requirements for graduation by Spring semester, 2005.