Get the latest information about Topics Course Policy
Based on the established practices on many CSU campuses, this Topic Course Policy is set forth to standardize the process of initiating, approving and scheduling Topics Courses on the Fresno State campus.
The Topics Course Policy is 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 and processes.
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. have unique course ID numbers;
e. are typically repeatable with different sub-topics under titles under the same “parent”
topic course.
2. Topics Course Guidelines
a. A "child” topics course can be offered a maximum of 5 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:Once a child topics course has been created, it must be offered with the same title
and description for the maximum 5 semesters, or it will not be accepted.
b. A child topics course can be converted to a regular course earlier than the 5th
offering.
c. 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).
d. 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.
e. 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.
f. 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.
g. Topics Courses cannot be used regularly as a required course in a degree, minor or
certificate program
due to their temporary nature.
h. Topics Courses may be offered as elective choices or as additional requirements for
any program.
i. Topic Courses are repeatable only if approved by the academic unit; however, students
will not
receive credit for the same Topics course title.
j. Topics Course classes scheduled during prime-time hours are subject to being
bumped from
classrooms to allow the assignment of high-demand or GE classes. The Scheduling Office also
reserves the right to remove from the assigned classroom, a Topics Course
that does not "make" with
enrollment (less than 10 students).
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 (if the course is a variable-unit course, i.e.,
1-3 units, then the child courses can be set up as 1, 2, or 3 units)
Course Requisites:
A Child Course is permitted to have a prerequisite/co-requisite even if
the Parent Course does not
require the same, or the prerequisite/co-requisite differs from that of
the Parent Course.
EXAMPLE: Generic "Parent" Course and "Child" Course: