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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 | Composition II - Rhetoric | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Hours | 3-4 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Hours | 8 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Hours | 3 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Hours | 3 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Hours | 6 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 2305 | Federal Government | 3 |
| GOVT 2306 | Texas Government | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Hours | 3 | |
Component Area Option
3-4 credit hours
| Code | Title | 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 Hours | 3-4 | |
Total Credit Hours: 42