Core Curriculum

Mission

The core curriculum at Stephen F. Austin State University seeks to equip students with the broad intellectual foundations needed to live satisfying lives, to ready themselves for advanced study, to contribute significantly to society and to succeed in a diverse global community. In the service of these objectives, the mission of the core curriculum is to develop students’ abilities to think in disciplined, critical, quantitative and creative ways, and to communicate effectively.

University Core Curriculum Requirements*

On September 29, 2020, the Coordinating Board approved at the staff level the submission from Stephen F. Austin State University in regards to revisions of the Texas Core Curriculum. Changes will be effective beginning in the fall 2020 semester.

A. Communication - 010

Three hours from:

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
or
ENGL 1303 - Honors Composition: Analysis, Argument and Research Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

INCM 1305 - International and Intercultural Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 2333 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

B. Mathematics - 020

Three hours from:

MATH 1314 - College Algebra Credit(s): 3
MATH 1324 - Finite Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MATH 1332 - Math in Society Credit(s): 3
MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3
MATH 1350 - Introduction to Foundations of Mathematics I Credit(s): 3
MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

C. Life and Physical Science - 030

Six hours from:

ASTR 1303 - Classical and Modern Astronomy Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1306 - Biology for Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1307 - Biology for Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1308 - Biology for Non-Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1309 - Biology for Non-Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2301 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2361 - Plant Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2381 - Local Flora or Fauna Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1305 - Intro to Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1371 - Chemistry and Society Credit(s): 3
ENVR 1301 - Intro to Environmental Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1301 - Earth and Society Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1303 - Earth Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1304 - Earth Through Time Credit(s): 3
HORT 1131 - Cultivating Plants Lab Credit(s): 1
HORT 1231 - Cultivating Plants Credit(s): 2
PHYS 1301 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1302 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1305 - Conceptual Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1307 - Conceptual Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1310 - Fundamentals of Electronics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2325 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2326 - Technical Physics II Credit(s): 3

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture - 040

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2335 - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1304 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

E. Creative Arts - 050

Three hours from:

ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1303 - Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1304 - Art History II (14th Century to the present) Credit(s): 3
DANC 2303 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 1310 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 2366 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3
MUMH 1307 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3
HORT 2120 - Floral Design Lab Credit(s): 1
HORT 2220 - Floral Design Credit(s): 2

F. American History - 060

Six hours from:

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3

G. Government/Political Science - 070

Six hours from:

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3
Students who took PSC 141 or 142 should consult their advisor for the appropriate course to complete this requirement.
GOVT 2301 - Introduction to American Government: Theory and Politics Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2302 - Introduction to American Government: Structure and Functions Credit(s): 3

H. Social and Behavioral Science - 080

Three hours from:

ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
FORS 2351 - Introduction to Human Dimensions and Recreation Credit(s): 3
GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
MCOM 1307 - Survey of Mass Communication Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

I. Component Area Option - 090

Three hours from:

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

BUSI 2304 - Business Communication Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2311 - Technical and Scientific Writing Credit(s): 3
FREN 1311 - Elementary French I Credit(s): 3
FREN 1312 - Elementary French II Credit(s): 3
GERM 1311 - Elementary German I Credit(s): 3
GERM 1312 - Elementary German II Credit(s): 3
INCM 1301 - International and Intercultural Communication in Latin America Credit(s): 3
INCM 1302 - International and Intercultural Communication in France Credit(s): 3
INCM 1303 - International and Intercultural Communication in Germany Credit(s): 3
INCM 1304 - International and Intercultural Communication in Brazil Credit(s): 3
PORT 1311 - Elementary Portuguese I Credit(s): 3
PORT 1312 - Elementary Portuguese II Credit(s): 3
SGNL 1301 - Beginning American Sign Language Credit(s): 3
SGNL 1302 - Intermediate American Sign Language Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1311 - Elementary Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1312 - Elementary Spanish II Credit(s): 3

Note:

Co-requisite lab hours not listed herein will be applied elsewhere within the degree.

Course Changes

The following courses were added:

030 - BIOL 1306 - added Fall 2022 (202310)
030 - ERTH 1301 - added Fall 2024 (202510)
030 - ERTH 1303 - added Fall 2024 (202510)
030 - ERTH 1304 - added Fall 2024 (202510)
050 - HORT 2120 - added Fall 2024 (202510)
050 - HORT 2220 - added Fall 2024 (202510)

The following courses were removed:

030 - GEOG 1301 - removed beginning Spring 2022 (202220)
030 - BIOL 1313 - removed Fall 2022 (202310)
030 - PHYS 1318 - removed Fall 2022 (202310)
030 - GEOL 1301 - removed Fall 2024 (202510)
030 - GEOL 1303 - removed Fall 2024 (202510)
030 - GEOL 1304 - removed Fall 2024 (202510)

The following courses moved from one area of the core to another:

010 - INCM 1305 - added Fall 2023 (202410, moved from 090)

Note:

* Specific degree programs may direct core curriculum choices due to accreditation requirements or other considerations. Please see core requirements for specific degree programs.

** Lab hours are counted elsewhere in the individual programs.