Core Curriculum

The Core Curriculum at South Texas College has, at its foundation, the philosophy and purpose of the College and is a composition of general education courses which form the foundation of all Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees.

These are degrees that are designed for students who plan to continue their education at a four-year university in order to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

STC is committed to the preparation of intellectually flexible, creative and productive citizens. Through exposure to a varied range of disciplines and technologies, students will develop:

  • an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning
  • broad global and social perspectives
  • essential skills for tomorrow’s workforce

The purpose of the Core Curriculum is to gain a foundation of knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning.

Core Objectives

  • Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
  • Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
  • Empirical and Quantitative Skills - to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.
  • Teamwork - to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal
  • Personal Responsibility - to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
  • Social Responsibility - to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities.

This common body of essential knowledge and skills is taught and reinforced through courses selected in nine Core Components:

  • Communication
  • Mathematics
  • Life and Physical Sciences
  • Language, Philosophy & Culture
  • Creative Arts
  • American History
  • Government/Political Science
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences, and a
  • Component Area Option.

Communication

Composition/Written Communication

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.

ENGL 1301Composition I3
ENGL 1302Composition II - Rhetoric3
Total Credit Hours6

Mathematics

3-4 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.

Select 3-4 credit hours of the following:3-4
Plane Trigonometry
Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences
Calculus for Business & Social Sciences
Contemporary Mathematics
Elementary Statistical Methods
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus Math
Calculus I
Total Credit Hours3-4

Life and Physical Sciences

8 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.

Select 8 credit hours of the following:8
Biology for Science Majors I
Biology for Science Majors II
Biology for Non-Science Majors I
Biology for Non-Science Majors II
Anatomy and Physiology I
Anatomy and Physiology II
Introductory Chemistry I for Non-Science Majors
Introductory Chemistry II for Non-Science Majors
General Chemistry for Engineering Majors
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
Environmental Science I
Environmental Science II
Physical Geology
Historical Geology
Oceanography
Meteorology
College Physics I
College Physics II
Stars and Galaxies
Solar System
Physical Science I
Physical Science II
University Physics I
University Physics II
Total Credit Hours8

Language, Philosophy and Culture

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.

Select 3 credit hours of the following:3
Art History II
Script Analysis
British Literature
American Literature
World Literature
Introduction to Forms of Literature
Mexican American Literature
Introduction to Humanities I - Western
Introduction to Mexican-American Studies
American Minority Studies
World Cultures
Music Literature
Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to World Religions
Introduction to Logic
Introduction to Ethics
Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy
Classical Philosophy
Philosophy of Religion
Intermediate American Sign Language I
Intermediate Spanish I
Intermediate Spanish II
Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers I
Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers II
Total Credit Hours3

Creative Arts 

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.

Select 3 credit hours of the following:3
Architectural History I
Architectural History II
Art Appreciation
Art History I
Drawing and Painting (for Non-Art Majors)
Sculpture
Ceramics I
Photography I (Fine Arts Emphasis)
World Dance
Dance Appreciation
Theater Appreciation
Acting I
Film Appreciation
Introduction to Humanities II - Non-Western
Mexican-American Fine Arts Appreciation
Music Appreciation
American Music
Total Credit Hours3

American History

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.

Select 6 credit hours of the following:6
United States History I
United States History II
Mexican-American History I
Mexican-American History II
African American History I
African American History II
Total Credit Hours6

Political Science

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.

GOVT 2305Federal Government3
GOVT 2306Texas Government3
Total Credit Hours6

Social and Behavioral Sciences

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.

Select 3 credit hours of the following:3
Physical Anthropology
Introduction to Archeology
Cultural Anthropology
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Court Systems and Practices
Fundamentals of Criminal Law
Correctional Systems and Practices
Police Systems and Practices
Principles of Economics I - Macro
Introduction to Political Science
Mexican American and Latinx Politics
Texas History
World Civilizations I
World Civilizations II
General Psychology
Human Sexuality
Lifespan Growth and Development
Psychology of Adjustment
Introductory Sociology
Social Problems
Marriage and the Family
Minority Studies
Introduction to Social Work
Child Growth and Development
Total Credit Hours3

Component Area Option

3-4 credit hours

Select 3-4 credit hours of the following:3-4
Horticulture
Agronomy
Principles of Food Science
Wildlife Conservation and Management
Business Computer Applications
Nutrition and Diet Therapy
Environmental Biology
Genetics
Microbiology for Science Majors
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Introduction to Computing
C Programming
Programming Fundamentals II
Programming Fundamentals I
Computer Organization
Programming Fundamentals III
Learning Framework
Learning Framework
Introduction to Engineering
Engineering Graphics
Engineering Mechanics - Statics
Engineering Mechanics - Dynamics
Electrical Circuits I
Environmental Science I
Historical Geology
Introduction to Physical Fitness and Wellness
Discrete Mathematics
Linear Algebra
Differential Equations
Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to World Religions
Introduction to Logic
Introduction to Ethics
Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy
Classical Philosophy
Philosophy of Religion
Learning Framework
General Psychology
Introductory Sociology
Social Problems
Introduction to Social Work
Introduction to Speech Communication
Public Speaking
Interpersonal Communications
Business and Professional Communication
Discussion and Small Group Communication
Argumentation and Debate
Total Credit Hours3-4

Total Credit Hours: 42