Notes on curriculum

H What are its components? What does each component mean and what is it for? Are there underlying principles, philosophies, assumptions in curriculum design? Do these influence the implementation of a curriculum? Quite often we hear that a curriculum is a program of study; that it is made up of a set of subjects, sometimes referred to as “courses.”Whatis meant by a program? A course? A subject? What is a major? Is there a set number of units for a major and for a minor? What are electives? Free electives? Cognates? These questions may be chicken for experts. In the real world of education, in my experience in different settings, these bits and pieces on curriculum may not be fully understood as to their function on enabling a curriculum meet its goal/ s. Understanding these terminologies in the context of an academic program would greatly help us guide students to maximize curricular opportunities that an HEI can offer them while pursuing their chosen degree and without unnecessary delay.

Varying concepts on what a curriculum is.

great number of definitions illustrative of concepts on what a curriculumis—prescriptive or descriptive or a mix of these can be sourced in hard or soft copies. A curricu of a plan, or of content or of experiences.< In our schools, there is no definite terminology for

Acommon cona “subject” which is also often cept of curriculum is that it is referred to as a “course” usually “the aggregate (or set) of courses in graduate studies. In this case of study given in a school, college “course/subject” are synonymous. or university”— a“program” on A course as a “subject” refers to an “area of study of a discipline.” “an individual study unit offered based on the traditional concept of curriculum, focused on condoctoral course/subject in “Orgatent, a listing of subjects/courses nizational Theory and Transforand which are all required. Such a curriculum specifies “what baccalaureate laboratory course/ ‘ought’ to happen,” hence, “more subject in Anatomy). “Classes often than not takes the form within a course may include lecof … “an intended program, or tures, tutorials, laboratory classes, some kind of expert opinion performance, studios and field about what needs to take place in trips. Students enroll in a set of courses/subjects to comply with p. 4), prescribing the “cumutheir degree program, a set of lative tradition of organized which are core courses/subjects knowledge. (compulsory) or elective courses/ .A subjects. Depending ondepart

mental guidelines, students may to the experiences of learners “of choose in which course/subject the curriculum in action,” the to enroll in.” “reconstruction of knowledge and experience that enables the When a learner to grow in exercising incourse means a“subject,” its “curtelligent control of subsequent riculum” is ina syllabusformat. knowledge and experience.” Similarto parts of a curriculum, a syllabus has 1) a rationale and a 1995) Goodladand Su ( 1992) description; 2) intended student refer to curriculum as “a tool that aims to bring about behavscope and sequence of topics; 4) ior changes in students resulting instructional methods; 5) evalufrom the planned activities and ation modes and techniques; and includes all learning experiences 6) recommended references/texts. received by students with the guidance of the school.” This CHED mandate on the outcomesdescriptive definition underbased syllabus, would dwell on scores “to bring about behavior “fundamental skills, capabilities change”— changein habits of and knowledge that students must be able to demonstrate in orderto Other definitions of curricuachieve the learning outcomes lum by famous authors may be of the program without comprofound in:< mising the academic integrity of that program.”

A Part 1 “course” as a curriculum

Terminologies in academia do shift in meaning. The term “course” could refer to the entire set of courses or subjects for a degree program or for a postgraduate or Such as when one is asked, “What courseare you taking?” which could mean a “curriculum leading to a degree,” (for example, a Doctor of Philosophy in Education, orDoctor of Medicine or Master in Organization and Management, AutoMechanics, etc. Note that the reply could include the academic level—a baccalaureate, a master, a doctorate, or a postgraduate or a technical course. When the term “course” refers to an entire degree/ certificate program, curriculum and course would be synonymous. Theprogram description gives the rationale (what type of expertise or skill it prepares a student for), an overview of the program content specifying the subjects/courses and equivalent number of credit units for the basic or foundational subjects/courses, the major subjects/ courses, and a minor, if a minor is required. A brief description of each course/subject follows, a practicum (if required),the mode of assessment for the entire program which in graduate studies would be a comprehensive examination or its equivalent.

A “course” as a subject in a curriculum.

deemed necessary to meet the program goals. (Next week:electives)