Core Curriculum 2014

This page documents the historical overview of the core beginning in 2014. The 2014 core is listed below. The current University core can be found in the University Online Catalog at https://catalog.pvamu.edu/universitycorecurriculum/.

Historical Overview

The core curriculum refers to the curriculum in the liberal arts, humanities, sciences, and political, social, and cultural history that all undergraduates of an institution of higher education in Texas are required to complete.  In October 2011, The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) approved changes to the rules that affect the core curriculum, and these changes require each institution to update its core and to submit a proposal to the THECB by November 2013. The new core must be fully implemented in the fall of 2014.

New Objectives and Component Areas

PVAMU must propose a core that aligns with new core objectives in communication, critical thinking, empirical and qualitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility. Although component area knowledge remains important, it is crucial that units understand the shift to competencies across courses in the core. All courses must, therefore, teach critical thinking and communication skills. In addition, each component area has its own objective requirements, and assessment must align with those objectives. Component areas include:

  • Communication (6 SCH)
  • Mathematics (3 SCH)
  • Life and Physical Sciences (6 SCH)
  • Language, Philosophy, Culture (3 SCH)
  • Creative Arts (3 SCH)
  • American History (6 SCH)
  • Government/Political Science (6 SCH)
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 SCH)
  • Component Area Option (6 SCH)

Core Assessment

Before approving changes, the THECB considered the need for transferability of the core across Texas and the 42 semester credit hour requirement mandated by the state. It also settled on the Association of American Colleges & Universities’ (AAC&U) “Liberal Education and America’s Promise” (LEAP) essential learning outcomes and VALUE rubrics for assessment as a starting point for revision.

The six core objectives must be assessed across core. The following is required of PVAMU:

  • Measures, methodology, and timeline must be in place.
  • Results of assessment must be reported to CB, to include:
    • Level of attainment targeted and achieved for each objective.
    • Analysis of results and use of data to improve student learning.

General Resources

The changes approved by the THECB create an opportunity for PVAMU to transform learning in fundamental ways. Below are resources that will assist the University during the revision process. These include resources from the THECB, a TAMUS outcomes mapping guide, LEAP Value rubrics for assessment purposes, student survey data on our existing core, and a PVAMU presentation made regarding the “new” core requirements in April of 2012.

The Core Curriculum (Beginning Fall 2014)

The central and essential mission of the Prairie View A&M University Core Curriculum is to develop in each undergraduate student the capability to perform effectively in academic and professional settings. The program stresses communication and critical thinking skills necessary for outstanding performance in a multi-faceted, modern, and changing society.

All degree programs include 42 semester hours of course work from approved areas of study recognized as the required general education program. Listed in the right column are the equivalent courses that may be transferred from Texas community and junior colleges as approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To assist students who transfer to Prairie View A&M University from other public colleges and universities in Texas, the University carefully evaluates course credits presented for acceptance toward fulfillment of degree requirements.

Core Curriculum Course Titles

Common Course Numbers

010 Communication
6 SCH
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ENGL 1301
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ENGL 1302
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ENGL 2311
020 Mathematics
3 SCH
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MATH 1332
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MATH 1314
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MATH 1316
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MATH 2413
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MATH 1324
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MATH 1342
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MATH 2414
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MATH 2320
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MATH 2305
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MATH 1325
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PSYC 2317
030 Life and Physical Sciences
6 SCH
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BIOL 1308
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BIOL 1309
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BIOL 2401
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BIOL 2402
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CHEM 1311
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CHEM 1305
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CHEM 1307
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PHYS 1315
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PHYS 1317
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PHYS 1301
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PHYS 1302
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PHYS 2325
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PHYS 2326
040 Language, Philosophy and Culture
3 SCH
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ARCH 1301
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ARCH 1302
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ARTS 1303
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ARTS 1304
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DRAM 2362
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ENGL 2341
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ENGL 2331
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ENGL 2342
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HUMA 1301
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HUMA 1305
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PHIL 2306
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PHIL 2303
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SPAN 2312
050 Creative Arts
3 SCH
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ARCH 1303
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ARTS 1301
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COMM 2300
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DRAM 1310
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MUSI 1306
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060 American History
6 SCH
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HIST 1301
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HIST 1302
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HIST 2301
070 Government/Political Science
6 SCH
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GOVT 2301
POSC 1113 American Government (Beginning Fall 2015)
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GOVT 2305
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GOVT 2302
POSC 1123 Texas Government (Beginning Fall 2015)
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GOVT 2306
080 Social and Behavioral Sciences
3 SCH
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CRIJ 1307
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CRIJ 1301
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ECON 2302
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ECON 2301
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GEOG 1300
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GEOG 1302
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SOCI 2301
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PSYC 2314
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PSYC 2301
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PSYC 2312
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PSYC 2316
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SOCI 1301
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SOCI 2319
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SOCI 1306
090 Professional Development (Select one course under each area)
6 SCH
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COSC 1300
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COSC 1300
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COSC 1320
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ECON 1301
Area Two
3 SCH
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ARCH 1315
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SPCH 1315, 1311
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SPCH 1318
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COSC 1301
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EDUC 1300
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PHED 1304
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BCIS 1301
TOTAL :
42 SCH