The Core Curriculum is designed to give all students who graduate from the university the opportunity to acquire a general knowledge of areas of study that have traditionally been regarded as basic to a university education. This general knowledge base requires study in the natural and applied sciences, social sciences, humanities, visual and performing arts, and the tools of language and thought. The curriculum complies with 1997 Texas legislation requiring each state-supported institution to establish a "core curriculum. . .in the liberal arts, humanities, sciences, and political, social, and cultural history."

In addition to the core, each student must complete at least one 3-hour multicultural course that focuses explicitly on the distinctive subcultures of the U.S. or on the culture of another society (see immediately following section). Many courses fulfill Core Curriculum requirements and at the same time satisfy the multicultural emphasis. Students should check with an advisor for appropriate courses.

Students should choose only those Core Curriculum courses that follow their degree plans.

The following courses have been approved for the Core Curriculum.

A. Communication:

1. Written: English rhetoric, composition: 6 hours

"The objective of a communication component of a core curriculum is to enable the student to communicate effectively in clear and correct prose in a style appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience."

In addition to the 6 hours of composition and rhetoric, a writing-across-the-curriculum requirement includes 6 hours of writing intensive courses in the major.

2. Oral: Speech: 3 hours

Oral communication means the basic skills acquired in speaking and listening effectively and critically.

B. Mathematics: Logic, college-level algebra or equivalent, finite math, statistics, calculus or above: 6 hours, at least 3 of which must be mathematics

"The objective of the mathematics component of the core curriculum is to develop a quantitatively literate college graduate. Every college graduate should be able to apply basic mathematical tools in the solution of real-world problems."

C. Natural Science: 8 hours (includes laboratory)

"The objective of the study of the natural sciences component of a core curriculum is to enable the student to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to enable the student to understand the bases for building and testing theories. (The natural sciences investigate the phenomena of the physical world.)"

*Does not include lab course

D. Technology and Applied Science: 3 hours

The objective of the study of the technology and applied science component of a core curriculum is to enable the student to understand how profoundly scientific and technological developments affect society and the environment. Human nutrition, the world's environment, and energy problems are all viewed as critical to one's understanding of and interactions with today's world.

E. Humanities: 3 hours

"The objective of the humanities in a core curriculum is to expand the students' knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such as literature and philosophy, students will engage in critical analysis and develop an appreciation of the humanities as fundamental to the health and survival of any society."

Any foreign language courses not used to satisfy the foreign language requirement or other Core Curriculum requirements may be used to satisfy the humanities requirement.

*Cross-listed courses: cannot receive credit for both courses.

F. Visual and Performing Arts: 3 hours

"The objective of the visual and performing arts in a core curriculum is to expand students' knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such as the visual and performing arts, students will engage in critical analysis, form aesthetic judgments, and develop an appreciation for arts as fundamental to the health and survival of any society."

G. Social and Behavioral Sciences: 15 hours

"The objective of a social and behavioral science component of a core curriculum is to increase students' knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity."

1. U.S. History: 6 hours

Under state law all students who receive bachelor's degrees from Texas Tech University must complete 6 hours in American history. Students will normally fulfill this requirement by completing HIST 2300 and 2301. However, this requirement may be satisfied by juniors and seniors by completing any 6 hours from among the American history courses listed under the Department of History portion of the catalog. Also, 3 semester hours of Texas history, HIST 3310, may be substituted for 3 of the American history hours.

2. Political Science: U.S. and Texas: 6 hours

Under state law all students must have received credit for 6 semester hours in political science, covering the federal and Texas constitutions. Students will normally fulfill this requirement by completing POLS 1301, which is a prerequisite for all other political science courses, and POLS 2302. If a student earns a grade of A or B in POLS 1301, he or she may substitute in place of POLS 2302 one of the upper-level courses marked with an asterisk in the course list under the Department of Political Science portion of the catalog. (Permission of the instructor may be required for such substitution.)

3. Individual or Group Behavior: 3 hours

*Cross-listed courses: cannot receive credit for both courses.