American History Foundational Component Area (6 Credit Hours)
Courses in this category focus on the consideration of past events and ideas relative to the United States, with the option of including Texas History for a portion of this component area. Courses involve the interaction among individuals, communities, states, the nation, and the world, considering how these interactions have contributed to the development of the United States and its global role.
Course Code |
Course Name |
Semester Hours |
HIST 1301 |
United States History I |
3 |
HIST 1302 |
United States History II |
3 |
HIST 2301 |
Texas History |
3 |
HIST 2327 |
Mexican American History I (to the United States-Mexico War Era) |
3 |
HIST 2328 |
Mexican American History II (from the United States-Mexico War Era) |
3 |
Communications Foundational Component Area (6 Credit Hours)
Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively. Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion and audience.
Course Code |
Course Name |
Semester Hours |
ENGL 1301 |
Composition I |
3 |
ENGL 1302 |
Composition II |
3 |
ENGL 2311 |
Technical and Business Writing |
3 |
SPCH 1311 |
Introduction to Speech Communication |
3 |
SPCH 1315 |
Fundamentals of Public Speaking |
3 |
SPCH 1321 |
Business and Professional Communication |
3 |
Component Area Option (6 Credit Hours)
Each course may only be counted once within a degree plan.
Please see an advisor for the recommended course for your major.
Creative Arts Foundational Component Area (3 Credit Hours)
Courses in this category focus on the appreciation and analysis of creative artifacts and works of the human imagination. Courses involve the synthesis and interpretation of artistic expression and enable critical, creative and innovative communication about works of art.
Government/Political Science Foundational Component Area (6 Credit Hours)
Courses in this category focus on consideration of the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the states, with special emphasis on that of Texas. Courses involve the analysis of governmental institutions, political behavior, civic engagement, and their political and philosophical foundations.
Course Code |
Course Name |
Semester Hours |
GOVT 2305 |
Federal Government: Federal Constitution and Topics |
3 |
GOVT 2306 |
Texas Government: Texas Constitution and Topics |
3 |
Language, Philosophy and Culture Foundational Component Area (3 Credit Hours)
Courses in this category focus on how ideas, values, beliefs and other aspects of culture express and affect human experience. Courses involve the exploration of ideas that foster aesthetic and intellectual creation in order to understand the human condition across cultures.
Life and Physical Sciences Foundational Component Area (6 Credit Hours)
Courses in this category focus on describing, explaining and predicting natural phenomena using the scientific method. Courses involve the understanding of interactions among natural phenomena and the implications of scientific principles on the physical world and on human experiences.
Mathematics Foundational Component Area (3 Credit Hours)
Courses in this category focus on quantitative literacy in logic, patterns and relationships. Courses involve the understanding of key mathematical concepts and the application of appropriate quantitative tools to everyday experience.
Social and Behavioral Sciences Foundational Component Area (3 Credit Hours)
Courses in this category focus on the application of empirical and scientific methods that contribute to the understanding of what makes us human. Courses involve the exploration of behavior and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions and events, examining their impact on the individual, society and culture.
Core Objectives
Through the Texas Core Curriculum, students will prepare for contemporary challenges by developing and demonstrating core objectives.
Critical Thinking Skills
Critical thinking skills include the aspects of creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
Aspect # |
Aspect Skill |
Aspect Description |
Aspect 1 |
Creative Thinking |
Be able to generate/demonstrate original ideas |
Aspect 2 |
Innovation |
Be able to apply information in a novel way |
Aspect 3 |
Inquiry |
Be able to ask relevant questions |
Aspect 4 |
Analysis |
Be able to list/describe the components of information |
Aspect 5 |
Evaluation |
Be able to judge the relevance of the components of information |
Aspect 6 |
Synthesis |
Be able to integrate/organize information in its functional context |
Communication Skills
Communication skills include the aspects of effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
Aspect # |
Aspect Skill |
Aspect Description |
Aspect 1 |
Written |
Be able to develop, interpret and express ideas effectively through written communication |
Aspect 2 |
Oral |
Be able to develop, interpret and express ideas effectively through oral communication |
Aspect 3 |
Visual |
Be able to develop, interpret and express ideas effectively through visual communication |
Empirical and Quantitative Skills
Empirical and quantitative skills include the aspects of manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.
Aspect # |
Aspect Skill |
Aspect Description |
Aspect 1 |
Data Collection |
Be able to collect data |
Aspect 2 |
Data Manipulation |
Be able to manipulate data |
Aspect 3 |
Analysis |
Be able to analyze data to draw informed conclusions |
Teamwork
Teamwork skills include the aspects of having the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
Aspect # |
Aspect Skill |
Aspect Description |
Aspect 1 |
Points of View |
Be able to consider different points of view to support a shared purpose or goal |
Aspect 2 |
Work with others |
Be able to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal |
Personal Responsibility
Personal responsibility skills include the aspect of having the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Aspect # |
Aspect Skill |
Aspect Description |
Aspect 1 |
Personal Responsibility |
Be able to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making |
Social Responsibility
Social responsibility skills include the aspects of having intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities.
Aspect # |
Aspect Skill |
Aspect Description |
Aspect 1 |
Intercultural Competence |
Be able to demonstrate intercultural competence |
Aspect 2 |
Civic Responsibility |
Be able to demonstrate knowledge of civic responsibility |
Aspect 3 |
Engagement |
Be able to engage effectively in regional, national, and/or global communities |