Topics Course Guidelines
Based on the established practices on many CSU campuses, these Topic Course Guidelines are set forth to standardize the process of initiating, approving and scheduling Topics Courses on the Fresno State campus.
The Topics Course Guidelines are a tool to assist departments in following the appropriate steps when proposing topics courses to ensure timely processing of their proposals, while remaining consistent with curriculum approval policies.
1. Definitions
Topics courses:
a. are courses departments offer occasionally;
b. are shown in the catalog with the generic “parent” course approved for each department/
program and
the “child” courses listed underneath;
c. appear on students’ transcripts with unique course titles;
d. are typically repeatable with different sub topics under the same “parent” topic.
2. Topics Course Guidelines
a. A "child” topics course can be offered a maximum of 6 semesters, after which the
course needs to be
either discontinued, or go through the curriculum approval process to be
converted to a regular
course. NOTE:This rule applies even when the course title has been slightly modified but content
remains in the same/similar area.
b. A Topics Course Proposal form must be completed and turned into the Scheduling Office
for each
topics course that is to be offered in a particular semester, even if it
has been offered in previous
semesters (Topics Course Form).
c. Each college will determine its own internal review process; Topics Course Proposal
forms must
include the department chair’s signature and the college dean’s signature
prior to submission to the
Scheduling Office.
d. Topics Course proposals approved by a department/college and received in the Scheduling Office
two weeks prior to the start of registration for a given term will be scheduled
for that term.
e. Proposals received less than two weeks prior to the start of registration for a given term will be
returned to the submitting department for resubmission for the following
term.
f. Topics Courses cannot be used regularly as a required course in a degree, minor or
certificate program
due to their temporary nature.
g. Topics Courses may be offered as elective choices or as additional requirements for
any program.
h. Topic Courses are repeatable only if approved by the academic unit.
i. Topic Course classes scheduled during prime time hours are subject to being
bumped from
classrooms to allow assignment of high-demand or GE classes.
3. Class Classification/Components
The classification/components of a “child” topic course must be the same as its
generic “parent” course.
Grading Basis:
Parent Course = Letter Grade only, then each Child Course = Letter Grade
only
Primary Component:
Parent Course = Lecture only, then Child Courses = Lecture only
CS#:
Parent Course = CS# 02, then Child Courses = CS# 02
Unit Value:
Parent Course = 3 units, then each Child Course = 3 units
Course Requisites:
Each Child Course should have the same prerequisites/co-requisites as the
parent course does.