Topics Information

Generic Course

Generic Courses are the parent units of topic offerings. The course elements of a generic course (units, preprequisites, grading options and course classification) are shared with all the topics that exist underneath it.

To differentiate between topics in terms of the duration of their expected viability, they have been organized into three categories:

  • Type I Topics uses the Generic Course's Title on Transcripts.
  • Type I Topics appears in the Schedule of Classes but not the University Catalog
  • Type I Topics may only be offered once. If Topic Type I will have additional offerings, it needs to be converted to a Type II or Type III topic (or a regular course).
  • Requests for New Type I Topics are submitted through Curriculog.
  • When scheduling a topic the individual topic title must be listed. A topic will not be scheduled using the generic title alone.
  • Type II Topics uses the Generic Course Number under its own title on transcripts and Schedule of Classes. When scheduling a topic the individual topic title must be listed. A topic will not be scheduled using the generic title alone.
  • Type II Topic Titles will not appear in CSULB Catalog.
  • Expires at the end of six semester, with no extension allowed. If Topic Type II will need further offerings, it can be converted to Type III (or a regular course).
  • Requests for New/Changes/Drops for Type II Topics are submitted through Curriculog (through Course Forms).
  • College-based policies on Type II topics may be developed to provide for alternative methods of retiring topics not offered on a regular basis. Policies of this kind will take into account: the necessity for reviewing all course and topic outlines and bibliographies periodically, realistic planning of specialty material in terms of projected re-sources and priority demands on those resources, and the relationship of the topic to the instructor's research and creative activity. College-based policies may cover all programs within the college or only specified ones. Policies adopted must be written, contain a justification or rationale, and receive the assent of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Deand of Graduate Studies.
  • Type III topics are a regular course in every respect except that it shares a common course number with other topics related to it programmatically.
  • Type III topic titles will be printed on transcripts, in the Active Course Report, the Schedule of Classes and the CSULB Catalog.
  • Type III topics are useful in managing a curriculum characterized by many sub-disciplinary areas (the topics), each requiring a standard approach (the generic course)
  • Requests for New/Changes/Drops for Type III Topics are submitted through Curriculog (through Course Forms - be sure to designate which topic type the course is on the form).
  • All topics underneath a Type III Generic Course should share the same prerequisite.