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Core Categories

I.  Communication

The THECB holds that the objective of a communication component of a core curriculum is to enable the student to communicate effectively in clear and correct prose in a style appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.

The nine-hour “communication” component of Tarleton’s core curriculum is composed of two courses from the Department of English And Languages

  • Introduction to College Composition (ENGL 111), and 
  • Composition and Research (ENGL 112)

along with a choice of one course from three offerings of the Department of Communication Studies

  • Fundamentals of Speech Communication (COMS 101)
  • Public Speaking (COMS 102)
  • Business and Professional Speaking (COMS 301).

II. Mathematics

According to the THECB, the objective of the mathematics component of the core curriculum is to develop a quantitatively literate college graduate.  Every college graduate should be able to apply basic mathematical tools in the solution of real-world problems.

The three-hour “mathematics” component of Tarleton’s core curriculum is composed of an option between one of two courses offered by the Department of Mathematics

  • College Algebra (MATH 107), or
  • Elementary Applied Mathematics (MATH108). 

III. Natural Sciences

The THECB recommends that the objective of the core curriculum’s natural sciences component is to enable the student to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to enable the student to understand the bases for building and testing theories.  

The seven-hour “natural sciences” component of Tarleton’s core curriculum is composed of selected courses from three academic departments.  Students can choose from the following course:

Department of Biological Sciences

  • General Biology (BIOL 120) (4 hrs)
  • General Biology (BIOL 121) (4 hrs)
  • Essential Elements of Biology (BIOL 210) (4 hrs) primarily for Education majors
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 219) (4 hrs)
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 220) (4 hrs)

Department of Chemistry, Geosciences, and Environmental Science

  • Introductory Applied Chemistry (CHEM 101) (3 hrs)
  • Essential Elements of Chemistry (CHEM 102) (3 hrs) primarily for education majors
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry (CHEM 103) (4 hrs)
  • College Chemistry I (CHEM 105) (4 hrs)
  • College Chemistry II (CHEM 108) (4 hrs)
  • Physical Geology (GEOL 105) or Natural Disasters (GEOL 108) (3 hrs)
  • Historical Geology (GEOL 106) (4 hrs)
  • Introduction to Environmental Science (GEOL 107) (4 hrs)

Department of Engineering and Physics

  • Great Ideas in Physics (PHYS 101) (4 hrs)
  • Essential Elements of Physics (PHYS 102) (3 hrs) primarily for education majors
  • Planetary Astronomy (PHYS103) (3 hrs)
  • Stellar Astronomy (PHYS 113) (4 hrs)
  • General Physics I (PHYS 104) (4 hrs)
  • General Physics II (PHYS105) (4 hrs)
  • Principles of Physics I (PHYS122) (4 hrs)
  • Principles of Physics II (PHYS 242) (4 hrs)

IV. Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts

The objective of the humanities and visual and performing arts in a core curriculum is to expand the students' knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought.  Through study in disciplines such as literature, philosophy, and the visual and performing arts, students will engage in critical analysis, form aesthetic judgments, and develop an appreciation of the arts and humanities as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. 

The six-hour “humanities and visual and performing arts” component of Tarleton’s core curriculum is composed of selected courses from three academic departments. 

For the “humanities” element, students can choose from four courses offered by the Department of English and Languages

  • The Short Story (ENGL 210),
  • Introduction to Literature (ENGL 220)
  • Literature and Film (ENGL 240)
  • Backgrounds of Western Literature (ENGL 250), or
  • Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 101)

For the “visual and performing arts” element, students can choose from courses offered by the Department of Fine Arts

  • Art Appreciation (ART131),
  • Art History I (ART 231)
  • Art History II (ART 232)
  • Art History of America (ART 331)
  • Fine Arts in History (Fine Arts 101)
  • Visual and Theater Arts (Fine Arts 135)
  • The Art of Film (Fine Arts 160)
  • The Arts in Contemporary Society (Fine Arts 401)
  • Fundamentals of Music (Music 213)
  • Music Appreciation (Music 313)
  • Popular Music in America (Music 324)
  • Jazz History (Music 325)
  • History of Music II (Music 327)
  • History of Music III (Music 328)
  • Introduction to the Theater (Theater 105)
  • History of the Theater I (Theater 207)
  • History of the Theater II (Theater 208)
  • Theory and Criticism (Theater 404)
  • Ceramics and Jewelry ( I T 340)

V.   Social and Behavioral Sciences

The objective of a social and behavioral science component of a core curriculum is to increase students' knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas.  Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles that they play in addressing the issues facing humanity. 

The fifteen-hour “social and behavioral sciences” component of Tarleton’s core curriculum is composed of four required courses from the Department of Social Science

United States History through 1877 (HIST 201)
United States History since 1877 (HIST 202)
American National Government (POLS 203),and 
Texas Government (POLS 202)

For the additional three hours of the social and behavioral science component of the core, students can choose one course from a collection composed of fourteen courses from the listed departments:

Department of Social Sciences

  • Introduction to Logic (PHIL 201)
  • World Regional Geography (GEOG 110)
  • Introduction to Human Geography (GEOG 120)
  • The Geography of Texas (GEOG 201)
  • World History to 1700 (HIST 101)
  • World History since 1700 (HIST 102).

Department of Social Work, Sociology, and Criminal Justice

  • Cultural Anthropology (SOC 101)
  • Introduction to Sociology (SOC 201)
  • Sociology of the Family (SOC 301)

Department of Accounting, Finance, and Economics

  • Introduction to Economics (ECO 101)
  • Principles of Economics: Macro (ECO 201)

Department of Psychology and Counseling

  • General Psychology (PSY 101)

Department of Agribusiness, Agronomy, Horticulture, and Range Management

  • Introduction to Agricultural Economics (A EC 105)

Department of Chemistry, Geosciences, and Environmental Science

  • Archeology (ARCH 201)

VI. Institutional Designated Option - Health/Wellness

An institution may wish to include in its core curriculum courses that address exemplary educational objectives not covered in the preceding broad discipline categories. Such courses may include computer literacy, kinesiology, health/wellness, interdisciplinary or linked courses, or other courses that address a specific institutional role and mission.  The objective of a health/wellness component is to provide an understanding of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. 

The two-hour “institutionally designated option” component of Tarleton’s core curriculum is composed of  a  course from the Department of Health and Physical Education

  • Wellness for Life (Health 101).