The UALR Core Curriculum
Course Descriptions
Written and Oral Literacy
All three courses required (9 credit hours):
RHET 1311. Composition I
Practice in writing, with an emphasis on personal, expressive
writing, as well as transactional writing. Focus on organizing
and revising ideas and writing well organized, thoroughly
developed papers that achieve the writer’s purpose,
meet the readers’ needs, and develop the writer’s
voice. Final course grades are A, B, C, or no
credit. Students must complete this course with a grade
of C or better to take Composition II. Three credit
hours.
RHET 1312. Composition II
Prerequisite: RHET 1311 with a C or better or equivalent.
Those students required by state law to enroll in READ 0310
must successfully complete that course before enrolling
in Composition II. Practice in writing, with an emphasis
on academic forms. Focus on analysis, argumentation, and
research and documentation writing. Final course grades
are A, B, C, or no credit. Three credit hours.
SPCH 1300. Speech Communication
Helps students effectively deliver an oral presentation
to an adult audience; listen to and critique objectively
the oral presentations of others; effectively participate
in one-to-one communication experiences using techniques
of active listening, conflict resolution, and information
gathering;
effectively organize, participate in, and lead small groups
as they problem-solve; and recognize and use effective oral
language as a tool of sound reasoning. Student performance
is emphasized along with lecture, discussion, and self-instructional
study center exercises. Students will learn through writing,
reading, discussing, listening, and participating in critical
thinking and problem-solving activities. Three credit hours.
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Mathematics and Statistics
One of the following courses required (3 credit hours):
MATH 1302. College Algebra
Prerequisite: a grade of C or better in MATH 0301,
an equivalent transfer course, or a suitable score on a
mathematics placement test. Relations, functions, graphing,
systems of linear equations and inequalities, matrices and
determinants, roots of polynomials, logarithmic and exponential
functions, sequences, series, mathematical induction and
the binomial theorem. Three hours lecture per week during
fall and spring semesters. Three credit hours.
MATH 1315. College Mathematics
Prerequisite: a grade of C or better in MATH 0301,
the equivalent, or a suitable score on a mathematics placement
test. Functions, analytic geometry, formulas and variation;
set theory; logic; probability and statistics, combinatorics,
populations, samples, normal distribution, mean, variance,
and standard deviation. This course is as sophisticated
as College Algebra and satisfies the state mandated requirement
for the baccalaureate degree. Three credit hours.
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Lab Sciences
Eight (8) hours required from the following courses:(See
footnote below)
ANTH 1415. Physical Anthropology
A hands-on examination of the study of past and present
human and nonhuman primates as biological organisms. Topics
include human genetics, variation and osteology, nonhuman
primate taxonomy and behavior, forensic anthropology and
the human fossil record. Four credit hours.
ASTR 1101. Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: ASTR 1301 or 1311. A laboratory
course designed to accompany ASTR 1301. Projects involve
a variety of activities in data acquisition and analysis
which tie concepts discussed in the classroom to real-world
experiences. Students do these projects in the open laboratory,
the planetarium, and the observatory. One credit hour.
ASTR 1301. Introduction to Astronomy
An introductory astronomy course in which students learn
about the process of science by studying the various methods
by which we have learned our place in the cosmos. Students
study specific examples of the kinds of observations which
can be made and the inferences drawn from them. Examples
emphasize how we have obtained our knowledge of the universe
and the certainty of various parts of that knowledge. This
course, together with the associated lab, ASTR 1101, satisfies
four hours of the science core curriculum requirement. Three
credit hours.
BIOL 1400. Evolutionary and Environmental Biology
Evolutionary, ecological, and environmental interrelationships
among organisms. Basic biological principles and modern
technology form the basis for inquiry and debate. The impact
of society upon global biodiversity is examined from competing
viewpoints. The role of science in shaping society and the
influence of society upon science are evaluated. Students
learn through reading, writing, computer simulations, videos,
field exercises, and through participation in critical thinking
and problem-solving activities. Three hours lecture, two
hours laboratory. Four credit hours.
BIOL 1401. Science of Biology
The process of science, including observation, evaluation,
and predictions, will be applied to the understanding of
biological principles. The methods of science will be illustrated
in the study of major biological concepts including the
cell theory, energy transformation, inheritance, and the
theory of evolution. Selected biological systems will be
surveyed to compare life forms to examine current human
related issues. Three hours lecture, two hours laboratory.
Four credit hours.
CHEM 1409. Chemistry and Society
A general education course for nonscience majors which examines
the impact of chemistry on today’s world. Ideas about
the atom, the nature of radioactive elements, chemical bonding,
plastics, pollution, drugs, and pesticides are sample topics
which will be covered from both a scientific and historical
perspective. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory.
Four credit hours.
ERSC 1102. Physical Geology Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: ERSC 1302. A laboratory course
designed to accompany ERSC 1302. Students observe, gather
and manipulate data, interpret data, and make field measurements
using minerals, rocks, graphs, and maps. The laboratory
meets for two hours per week. One credit hour.
ERSC 1103. Historical Geology Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: ERSC 1303. A laboratory course
designed to accompany ERSC 1303. Students are involved in
geologic data gathering, manipulation, and interpretation
along with field measurements and problem solving. Two hours
laboratory. One credit hour.
ERSC 1302. Physical Geology
Introduction to the science of geology, the geological view
of the human environment, how geologists learn about Planet
Earth, and how society and geology interact. Active learning
applied to natural processes shaping the earth’s surface,
producing the solid and fluid earth, and historical development
of geological paradigms. Three hours lecture. Three credit
hours.
ERSC 1303. Historical Geology
Introduction to the science of geology, how geologists have
learned about the Earth using geologic time as a theme.
Active learning applied to various measurements of time,
the documentation of evolutionary changes presented by the
geologic record, and the development of geologic paradigms
used in interpreting this record. Three hours lecture. Three
credit hours.
Footnote: Students may substitute four (4) hours
of the eight (8)-hour science requirement in the core curriculum
with technical courses, with certain conditions. The substitution
will be two for one; the student must take two (2) hours
of a technical course for every one (1) hour of an approved
competency course. A technical course is defined as any
science course at the 1000-level or above that is not approved
as a core course. Each substitute course must have a laboratory
component, and all substitute courses must be from the same
discipline. A science course is from the disciplines of
anthropology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science,
or physics. The remaining four (4) hours of the science
competency requirement must be met by an approved core course.
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Arts
Six (6) hours required from one of the following two sequences:
(See footnote below)
Sequence 1
FNAR 2300. Introduction to Fine Arts I
Prerequisite: RHET 1311. A course for students majoring
in or with special interest in the arts. The first of two
courses designed to give students competence in aesthetic
experience through integrated studies in arts, music, and
theatre/dance. Introduction to the arts and the creative
process, how to write about the arts, and vocabulary and
descriptive terms used in them. Attendance at arts events
is required. Students will learn through writing, reading,
discussing, listening, and participating in critical thinking
and problem-solving activities. Fulfills core requirement
in aesthetics along with FNAR 2301. Three credit hours.
FNAR 2301. Introduction to Fine Arts II
Prerequisite: FNAR 2300. Recommended: HIST 1311 or 1312.
A course for students majoring in or with special interest
in the arts. The second of two courses designed to give
students competence in aesthetic experience through integrated
studies in arts, music, and theatre/dance. Introduction
to the history of the various visual and performing arts
and their interrelationships and to the study of eras and
periods through their artistic creations. Further develops
skills in describing and analyzing the arts. Attendance
at arts events is required. Fulfills core requirement in
aesthetics along with FNAR 2300. Three credit hours.
Sequence 2
ARHA 2200. Introduction to Visual Art
Recommended prerequisite: RHET 1311. Introduction to the
creative process and history of art, vocabulary and descriptive
terms used in the visual arts, and how to write about them.
Attendance at arts events is required. Students will learn
through writing, reading, discussing, listening, and participating
in critical thinking and problem-solving activities. Fulfills
core requirement in aesthetics along with MUHL 2200 and
DRTH 2200. Two credit hours.
MUHL 2200. Introduction to Music
Recommended prerequisite: RHET 1311. Introduction to the
creative process and history of music, vocabulary and descriptive
terms used in the musical arts, and how to write about them.
Attendance at arts events is required. Students will learn
through writing, reading, discussing, listening, and participating
in critical thinking and problem-solving activities. Fulfills
core requirement in aesthetics along with ARHA 2200 and
DRTH 2200. Two credit hours.
DRTH 2200. Introduction to Theatre and Dance
Recommended prerequisite: RHET 1311. Introduction to the
creative process and history of theatre and dance, vocabulary
and descriptive terms used in these disciplines, and how
to write about them. Attendance at arts events is required.
Students will learn through writing, reading,
discussing, listening, and participating in critical thinking
and problem-solving activities. Fulfills core requirement
in aesthetics along with ARHA 2200 and MUHL 2200. Two credit
hours.
Footnote: Fine Arts majors and students interested
in the arts are encouraged to choose FNAR 2300/2301; other
students should choose the second sequence.
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World Humanities
Three (3) hours required, chosen from the following courses:
ENGL 2337. World Literature
Prerequisite: completion of the first year writing requirement.
Study of selected texts reflecting various Western and nonWestern
literary heritages and traditions. Assigned works represent
several national literatures, with at least one major text
from each of four periods (antiquity, medieval, early modern,
and the modern period) and from a minimum of three literary
genres. Three credit hours.
ENGL 2338. World Literature Themes
Prerequisite: completion of the first year writing requirement.
This class addresses the same competencies as ENGL 2337,
but through exploration of a specific topic. Either 2337
or 2338 satisfies the core requirement, but they are distinctive
courses and both may be taken for credit. Three credit hours.
PHIL 2320. Ethics and Society
Prerequisite: RHET 1311 recommended. Study of selected texts
reflecting a variety of ethical systems from Western and
nonWestern literary heritages and ethical traditions. Assigned
works represent several national ethical literatures, with
at least one major ethical text from each of four
periods (antiquity, medieval, early modern, and the modern
period). Three credit hours.
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World History
Both courses required (6 credit hours):
HIST 1311. History of Civilization I
Recommended prerequisite: RHET 1311. The history of the
world’s significant civilizations from their beginnings
to approximately A.D. 1600: the development of integrated
political, social, economic, religious, intellectual, and
artistic traditions and institutions within each of those
cultures; significant intercultural exchanges. Three credit
hours.
HIST 1312. History of Civilization II
Recommended prerequisite: RHET 1311. The history of the
world’s significant civilizations since approximately
A.D. 1600: examination of the persistence of traditional
civilizations and the changes in the world order due to
the development of modern industrial society, modern science,
and the nation state. Three credit hours.
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U.S. Traditions
One of the following courses required (3 credit hours):
POLS 1310. American National Government
An introduction to the political institutions, processes,
and patterns of the national government of the United States,
focusing on the Congress, presidency, and courts, and on
their interrelationships. Attention is given to suffrage
and elections, political parties, interest groups, and public
opinion. Significant issues and problems of national policy
such as civil rights and civil liberties are considered.
Three credit hours.
HIST 2311. US History to 1877
Description, analysis, and explanation of the major political,
social, economic and diplomatic events through "Reconstruction."
Special attention is devoted to the cross-cultural development
of three civilizations, Native American, European, and African,
within the geographical context of the North American continent.
Major topics for study include European colonial empires;
the American Revolution; the Constitution of 1787; evolution
of a national government, federal in system and republican
in form; social and economic theories and practices; relationship
with foreign governments; and the American Civil War. Three
credit hours.
HIST 2312. US History since 1877
Description, analysis, and explanation of the political,
social, economic and diplomatic events to the present time.
Special attention is devoted to the forces of modernity
and the impact of cultural pluralism on traditional institutions.
Major topics for study include industrialization; agrarianism;
labor; immigration; reform movements; total and limited
war; economic theory and practice; and the US’s role
in world affairs. Three credit hours.
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Individuals, Cultures, and Societies
Two of the following courses required (6 credit hours):
ANTH 2316. Cultural Anthropology
Prerequisite: RHET 1311 recommended. Examines the concept
of culture, cultural processes, and anthropological theories.
Topics include subsistence strategies, politics, religion,
gender, ethnicity, economics, marriage, stratification,
and socialization. Case studies from both small-scale and
large-scale societies. Three credit hours.
CRJU 2300. Introduction to Criminal Justice
An exploration of the historical development, current operation,
and future trends of criminal justice. Emphasis on contemporary
problems in the definition of law, the enforcement of law,
strategies of policing, judicial systems, sentencing strategies,
and correctional practices. Content includes not only practices
in the United States, but also other cultures and their
systems of justice. Three credit hours.
ECON 2301. Survey of Economics
The wants of individuals and societies are unlimited, while
the resources for satisfying these wants are limited. Consequently,
choices have to be made. Economics is the science of choice.
Survey of Economics introduces students to the ability to
use theories or models to make sense out of the real world
and devise policy solutions to economic problems. Both individual
and firm choices (microeconomics) and society choices (macroeconomics)
are examined. The role of markets in summarizing choices
and allocating resources is introduced. ECON 2301 will not
satisfy the University Core Curriculum requirements if ECON
2322 and ECON 2323 are taken for graduation credit. Three
credit hours.
GNST 2300. Introduction to Gender Studies
Recommended: RHET 1311. A cross-cultural, interdisciplinary
analysis of gender. Includes examination of gender identity,
social roles, and cultural symbolism in politics, economics,
family, health, socialization, religion, and language. Three
credit hours.
GEOG 2312. Cultural Geography
Recommended: RHET 1311. The nature, distribution, and development
of various cultural systems as they interact with each other
and with their environment. A study is made of spatial patterns
in the elements of culture, including population, religion,
language, political ideology, economic activities, and settlement.
Examination of the processes that have changed the natural
landscape to a cultural landscape. Three credit hours.
JOUR/RTVF 2330. Mass Media and Society
Survey of relationships involving mass media, culture, and
various other interconnected systems, both nationally and
globally. Includes discussion of functions, freedoms, and
responsibilities of mass media, and effects on individuals
and social groups. Topics will include newspapers, magazines,
radio, television, and other media. Three credit hours.
POLS 2301. Introduction to Political Science
Introduction to social science concepts as applied to political
analysis. Analysis of individuals, groups, and society,
particularly the study of social, economic, and political
structures and behavior. Introduction to the discipline
of political science as a social science, including enduring
questions about politics, nature of political analysis,
major theoretical and empirical approaches, and critiques
of the discipline. Three credit hours.
PSYC 2300. Psychology and the Human Experience
Recommended prerequisite: RHET 1311. This course focuses
on the development of the individual in the context of physical
and social environments. Topics include the scientific method
as it applies to studying the individual, the relationship
between brain and behavior, social and personality development,
theories of motivation, maladaptive behavior, social cognition
and interaction, and the effects of membership in different
groups on the development of the individual. Students will
learn through writing, reading, discussing, listening, and
participating in critical thinking and problem-solving activities.
Three credit hours.
RELS 2305. Religious World Views
Prerequisite: RHET 1311 recommended. Examines the global
patterns of contemporary world religions as symbol systems
and expressions of discrete, coherent world views. Three
credit hours.
SOCI 2300. Introduction to Sociology
Recommended prerequisite: RHET 1311. Introduction to sociological
concepts. Analysis of society, particularly the study of
human organization. An overview of the theories and methods
utilized in the discipline is provided and will be used
as a framework for critical analysis. Students learn to
investigate group and societal connections in major social
institutions-religion, family, politics, economics, education.
Three credit hours.
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