Core Curriculum – Faculty
Analyze human experiences, cultural expressions, or creativity
Apply mathematical and scientific literacy skills or concepts
Describe concepts or theories of social responsibility in diverse or global communities
Communicate effectively
Core Courses with Attributes
Click here to access the list of courses approved for the TCU Core.
Tips for Advising Students
Download a chart of Core Curriculum courses here to help students plan their courses.
Click to learn more about the Core Curriculum in an Admissions video aimed at prospective students.
Helpful Downloads
Download the TCU Core Curriculum competencies and learning outcomes for all areas of the Core.
Download the 2022 Core Curriculum Review report to the Faculty Senate.
Submitting Courses
Submit courses online by clicking the link to the form below. Deadline for all submissions is the 1st of each month. (No submissions are reviewed in January and summer months.) Guidelines and instructions are below.
All submitted courses must be approved by the Undergraduate Council. Consult your department chair or director of undergraduate studies before submitting, to make sure your goals for the course align with your department’s vision of its role in the Core Curriculum. Submit your proposal early in the semester to allow time for revisions, especially if you plan to teach it in the next semester. (Courses will not be designated as Core Curriculum in the same semester as they are approved. If your course is not approved by the committee’s final meeting of the semester, it will not carry Core status during the subsequent semester.
Instructions for Submitting Courses
1. Click the link above and sign in to my.tcu.edu.
2. Fill in the text boxes for each student learning outcome in each area of the Core you select. The content you supply should be unique for each area of the submission, specifically addressing the student learning outcome(s) you chose for that category.
- Provide a 2-4 sentence framing narrative overview, written for a non-specialist reader, of how this course connects to the Core area.
- Explain how, in specific terms, your course supports students’ achievement of your selected student learning outcome(s) in a substantial manner.
- Copy and paste 2-4 assignment prompts from your course that provide evidence of how students will meet the student learning outcome(s). These assignments should produce student work that is evaluated.
- For Writing Emphasis submissions, you will also be asked this additional question: How will writing be emphasized in this course? (For example, total number of pages written, percentage of grade for writing assignments, number of drafts, description of the writing process students will engage in, amount or topics of writing instruction you will provide.)
3. Upload your course syllabus.
4. You may leave and return to your submission at a later date. It will be saved in progress. However, Once submitted, no edits can be made.
5. You may submit a course simultaneously by following these rules:
- Courses may be vetted for up to two areas of HMVV. However, students will be able to count the course in only one category.
- A course in the HEE section of the Core may also be vetted for HMVV.
- Any course at the 30000-level or above, including those vetted for HMVV and HEE, may be vetted for Writing Emphasis.
- If you decide at a later date to submit the course for an additional category, you must start a new submission form.
6. When you have completed all steps and are satisfied with your submissions, click “Submit” to complete your submission.
If you plan to teach your course in the next semester, do not wait until the last meeting of the semester to submit your proposal in case you are asked for revisions.
Courses may only carry Core attributes beginning the semester after they are approved.
Natural Sciences submissions are reviewed by the College of Science and Engineering Curriculum Committee.
Humanities and Social Sciences submissions are reviewed by the AddRan College of Liberal Arts Curriculum Committee.
Fine Arts submissions are reviewed by the College of Fine Arts Curriculum Committee.
Mathematical Reasoning submissions are reviewed by the Mathematics Department.
Written Communication 1 & 2 submissions are reviewed by the English Department.
Oral Communications submissions are reviewed by the Communication Studies Department.
Writing Emphasis submissions are reviewed by the Writing Emphasis Committee.
Principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) should be foundational to the TCU Core Curriculum and permeate the courses offered throughout the Core.
In spring 2019, the Faculty Assembly and Faculty Senate voted to approve a resolution recommending the addition of a DEI Essential Competency (EC) to the TCU Core Curriculum. Plans for implementing the DEI EC were paused during the pandemic.
“Finding Ourselves in Community,” TCU Quality Enhancement Plan, was implemented to develop students’ self-awareness in relation to others, a key student learning outcome included in the DEI EC resolution.
Changes to the Core Curriculum were proposed to the Faculty Senate in fall 2023 to implement the DEI learning and approaches, continuing the legacy of the DEI EC resolution. In spring 2024, discussion of these changes will happen at the college level before moving on to the Faculty Senate for discussion. Consult your associate deans, chairs, and Faculty Senators for more information.
In the meantime, we encourage faculty to build DEI content and methodologies into your syllabi and to use inclusive pedagogies in your classroom to ensure that the TCU Core Curriculum cultivates a sense of belonging in all students.
We also encourage faculty to take advantage of training in inclusive pedagogies:
- Inclusive Teaching: Supporting All Students in the Classroom, a MOOC developed by Columbia University
- TCU HR training in “Mitigating Unconscious Bias” and “Interrupting Microaggressions”
- Programs offered by TCU’s Office of Student Identity and Engagement.
For reference only during this transition period. Do not use these forms. Only use this online form.
Global Awareness Faculty Submission Form
Cultural Awareness Faculty Submission Form
Religious Traditions Faculty Submission Form
Historical Traditions Faculty Submission Form
Literary Traditions Faculty Submission Form
Citizenship and Social Values Faculty Submission Form
Humanities Faculty Submission Form for Core Vetting
Social Science Faculty Submission Form for Core Vetting
Natural Sciences Faculty Submission Form for Core Vetting
Fine Arts Faculty Submission Form for Core Vetting
Mathematical Reasoning Faculty Submission Form for Core Vetting
Written Communication 1 Faculty Submission Form for Core Vetting
Written Communication 2 Faculty Submission Form for Core Vetting
FOR ASSISTANCE
For technical issues during the submission process, contact Pamela Andrews at pamela.andrews@tcu.edu.
For questions about the content of your submission, contact Theresa Gaul at t.gaul@tcu.edu.