A Comparison of the Current and Recently Approved Core Curriculums
University System of Georgia
February 13, 1996
Frank A. Butler
QUARTER
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Humanities (20 Qtr. Hrs.)
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Humanities, including, but not limited to, grammar, composition, and literature.
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Mathematics and the Natural Sciences (20 Qtr. Hrs.)
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Mathematics and the natural sciences, including, but not limited to, mathematics and a ten-hour sequence of laboratory courses in the biological or physical sciences.
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Social Sciences (20 Qtr. Hrs.)
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Social sciences, including, but not limited to, history and American government.
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Courses appropriate to the major field (30 Qtr. Hrs.)
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Courses appropriate to the major field of the individual student.
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SEMESTER
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Essential Skills (9 Semester Hrs.)
The following courses shall have common course numbers throughout the University System. Each course in this section (A) shall be three semester hours:
- English Composition I
- English Composition II
College Algebra or Mathematical Modeling (or other course approved by the Undergraduate Council)
More advanced mathematical courses may be required for certain majors and/or institutions with the approval of the Undergraduate Council.
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Institutional Options (4-5 Semester Hrs.)
Courses approved by the Undergraduate Council which address institution-wide general education outcomes of the institution's choosing. Examples include, but are not limited to, global issues, oral communication, information technology, critical thinking, wellness, geography, and foreign languages.
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Humanities/Fine Art (6 Semester Hrs.)
Courses which address humanities/fine arts learning outcomes and which have been approved by the Undergraduate Council. Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable.
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Science, Mathematics, and Technology (10-11 Semester Hrs.)
Courses approved by the Undergraduate Council which address learning outcomes in the sciences, mathematics, and technology. These need not be sequential courses. Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable.
Students complete one of two options:
Option I – Non-Science Majors
- A four-hour laboratory or a three or four-hour non-laboratory course.
- A four-hour laboratory course.
Three additional credit hours in mathematics, science, or technology.
Option II – Science Majors
- Two four-hour laboratory courses.
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Three additional credit hours in mathematics, science or technology.
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Social Sciences (12 Semester Hrs.)
Courses approved by the Undergraduate Council which address learning outcomes in the social sciences including, but not limited to, history and American Government. Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable. If credit course work is used to satisfy the U.S./Georgia history and constitutions requirement, course(s) shall be part of this area.
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Course Related to the Program of Study (18 Semester Hrs.)
Lower-division courses related to the discipline of the program of study and courses which are prerequisite to major courses at higher levels. The Undergraduate Council will develop guidelines for acceptable courses in this area after appropriate consultation with faculty in the relevant disciplines.
| QUARTER | SEMESTER |
|---|---|
| Strong emphasis on the humanities, mathematics, science, and social science | Strong emphasis on the humanities, mathematics, science, and social science |
| Vintage 1967 with modifications | Vintage 1996 but designed to be forward looking |
| Discipline-centered | Student-centered |
| Based on a goal of transferability, but requires frequent adjustments from discipline-centered committees | Based on clear standards of student learning with specific procedures and guidelines to ease transferability |
| Developed to solve problems of increased enrollment, increased student mobility, increase complexity of the fields of study, and increased problems related to transfer of credit | Developed and propelled by the system-wide revamping of the entire curriculum as part of the conversion to the semester system |
| Structure does not encourage regular review and change | Flexible structure enables review and change with greater frequency |
| Designed without the guidance of a clearly defined vision and a set of principles | Designed with its own principles and with consistency to the system's guiding principles, vision, and core mission statements |
| Limited flexibility for institutions within core areas | Greater flexibility within core areas to allow more options for students and for greater creativity |
| Focused only on the core curriculum | Focused on general education-the core is a central component of each institution's general education program-this focus emphasizes learning to think critically, to base behavior on informed assumptions, to understand contextual frameworks, to engage in active learning with others, to reflect and act on information, and to acquire knowledge throughout the lifetime |
| Essential skills were not prescribed | Prescribes clearly, defined essential skills at all institutions |
| Inhibits interdisciplinary teaching and courses | Promotes interdisciplinary teaching and courses--institutions are free to design cross cutting goals that can be met across disciplines, across courses, and across the curriculum |
| Results in mainly five quarter credit hour "coin of realm" courses | Does not dictate semester credit hours for courses |
| Not sensitive to institutional missions | Requires institutions to use their distinct missions to design the institutional options section of the core |
| Does not contain an assessment component | Mandates an assessment process for general education that focuses on standards for student learning, emphasizes quality student-faculty interactions, and constantly improves the curriculum |
| Technological literacy for students is not assured and is difficult to integrate into the curriculum | Is guided by a principle ensuring that students are given an informed use of information technology |
2/13/96