Topic Courses

Courses that are taught with different topics are referred to as "Topic Courses," and

• provide an "umbrella" for topics of closely related course content, learning outcomes and assessment methodologies;
• are valuable for creating a course that makes use of timely issues and requires a fast-tracked approval process;
• courses that a department wishes to offer occasionally;
• are shown in the catalog with generic "umbrella" titles but are offered under specific topics in the Class Schedule;
• appear on students' transcripts with the specific title of the topic;
• are usually repeatable with a different topic; and
• are valid for the life of the "umbrella" course.
• Example of a Topic Course: ENGL 439 Significant British Authors (4 units) repeatable to 12 units with different subtitles (e.g., "Jane Austen," "Victorian Poets," "Blake," "Hardy.")

Proposal Processes for Topic Courses:

1. Each college determines its own internal review process. Please check with your dean's office. Note: College of Liberal Arts requires this step.
2. For topic approval and scheduling by the Office of the Registrar, depending upon college's requirement of second step, above, either department chair/head or associate dean sends the topic to catalog@calpoly.edu.
3. Utilize the forms from the Office of The Registrar Curriculum Handbook Forms Page

Due Date:

• As appropriate, check with GE and/or your college dean's office (see first two steps, above).
• Topics approved at least one month prior to the start of registration for a term can become valid that term.