Courses that are taught with different topics are referred to as "Topic Courses," and

• provide an "umbrella" for topics of closely related course content, learning outcomes and assessment methodologies;

• are valuable for creating a course that makes use of timely issues and requires a fast-tracked approval process;

• courses that a department wishes to offer occasionally;

• are shown in the catalog with generic "umbrella" titles but are offered under specific topics in the Class Schedule;

• appear on students' transcripts with the specific title of the topic;

• are usually repeatable with a different topic; and

• are valid for the life of the "umbrella" course.

• Example of a Topic Course: ENGL 439 Significant British Authors (4 units) repeatable to 12 units with different subtitles (e.g., "Jane Austen," "Victorian Poets," "Blake," "Hardy.")
  

1. For General Education topic (rubric) courses, please refer to the GE web site for review process.
2. Each college determines its own internal review process. Please check with your dean's office. Note: College of Liberal Arts requires this step.
3. For topic approval by Academic Programs, depending upon college's requirement of second step, above, either department chair/head or associate dean sends the topic to Mary Whiteford.
4. Topics are forwarded to Class Scheduling by Academic Programs.

• As appropriate, check with GE and/or your college dean's office (see first two steps, above).

• Topics approved by at least one month prior to the start of the term can become valid that term.