Core Curriculum Focus
Core Requirements
The TCU Core Curriculum has three components: Heritage, Mission, Vision and Values (HMVV); Human Experiences and Endeavors (HEE); and Essential Competencies (EC). Read details about each area below.
Courses in the HMVV Curriculum will cultivate the broader skills and awareness associated with TCU’s distinctive Heritage, Mission, Vision, and Values. TCU’s Heritage will be explored via the study of Religious Traditions, Historical Traditions and Literary Traditions. TCU’s Mission, Vision and Values will be explored via courses on Cultural Awareness, Global Awareness, and Citizenship and Social Values.
By design, these HMVV categories are not bound to any specific discipline or department, to encourage pedagogical innovation and conversation across traditional disciplinary boundaries.
OVERLAYS
HMVV courses may also meet requirements from the Human Experiences and Endeavors (HEE) curriculum or courses required for your major, minor or general curriculum, allowing you to satisfy two-three requirements with one course.
| Requirements | Hours | Competencies |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Traditions | 3 | Critical understanding of the role of religion in society, culture and individual life |
| Historical Traditions | 3 | Critical understanding of the processes that create change over time in the human experience |
| Literary Traditions | 3 | Understanding of, and sensitivity to, our shared literary heritage |
| Cultural Awareness | 3 | Critical understanding of cultural phenomena |
| Global Awareness | 3 | Knowledge of trends, issues and opportunities that impact the global community |
| Citizenship and Social Values | 3 | Understanding of individual rights and responsibilities and an ability to assess critically the intentions and consequences of personal, professional or societal action |
Courses in this curriculum explore significant achievements and discoveries in the Humanities, Fine Arts, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. The aim is to develop students’ knowledge of the human condition and its connections to the good and the beautiful and to the natural and social orders. The requirements and competencies for this curriculum are contained in the following table.
OVERLAYS
HEE courses may also meet the requirements for Heritage, Mission, Vision and Values (HMVV) or your major, minor or general curriculum. NOTE: No more than two courses in the HEE curriculum may be taken in any one area as defined by the course prefix, and requirements for Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences must be satisfied in at least two different areas as defined by course prefix.
| Requirements | Hours | Competencies |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities | 9 | Apply methods of humanistic inquiry and construct relevant arguments |
| Social Sciences | 9 | Understand social environments that arise from and influence human interaction |
| Natural Sciences | 6 | Be literate in the natural sciences |
| Fine Arts | 3 | Understand the significance of the fine arts and the importance of creativity through standard coursework and/or applied study |
Essential Competencies are designed to provide a base of skills to ensure your ability to communicate clearly and think analytically, with a focus on effective writing, mathematical reasoning and oral communication. The requirements and competencies are contained in the following table.
OVERLAYS
Writing Emphasis courses may overlay with courses in Heritage, Mission, Vision, and Values (HMVV) and Human Experiences and Endeavors (HEE), or with requirements for your major, minor or general curriculum. NOTE: With the exception of Writing Emphasis, no more than two courses in the EC curriculum may be taken from any one area as defined by course prefix.
| Requirements | Hours | Competencies |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Reasoning | 3 | Be able to reason mathematically |
| Oral Communication | 3 | Articulate thoughts clearly using appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication skills |
| Written Communiation 1 | 3 | Write effectively |
| Written Communication 2 | 3 | Write effectively |
| Writing Emphasis | 6 | Demonstrate the ability to use writing as a means for learning and communicating in a specific discipline |
You can download a chart here to plan your courses.