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Why Propose a Special Topics Course?

Departments and programs are encouraged to try out new course material on an experimental basis through the use of a special topics course number before formally proposing as a new course with a permanent number.

The designated course number approved for offering an experimental course is 300, and it normally carries one to three credits. A student cannot receive more than six semester hours of credit for this type of course.

The use of special topics number (300) for the experimental introduction of new courses is encouraged under two conditions:

• the content of the course is manifestly appropriate to the department or program offering it; and
• the experimental course be proposed as a new permanent course with a permanent number and approved through regular University procedures prior to its being scheduled for a third time.

Considerations

• Proliferation of courses without consideration for student demand or strength of course offerings in related areas should be avoided.
• A special topic is only permitted to be offered two times. A third offering as a special topic may be permitted upon approval by the Dean of the appropriate division. 
• Any permanently approved topics course may have modifiers to allow students to register for the course more than once or to focus on specific content (hence, different titles) within a very large body of material.