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Topic Proposals

Topic (Subtitle) Courses

Courses that are taught with different topics or subtitles are referred to as "Topic Courses”. These are not to be confused with “Special Topics Courses”. Example of a Topic Course: ENGL 4439 Significant British Authors (4 units) repeatable to 12 units with different subtitle (e.g., "Jane Austen," "Victorian Poets," "Blake," "Hardy.")

“Topics Courses” allow closely related course content to reside under one generic "umbrella” title, sharing the same learning outcomes and assessment methodologies. Topics Courses are shown in the catalog with generic "umbrella" titles but are offered under specific topics in the Class Schedule. Topics courses are usually repeatable with a different topic.

Process to offer new Topic (Subtitle) offering

Each college may determine its own internal review process for Topics Courses. Please check with your dean's office.

For topic approval and scheduling by the Office of the Registrar, either from the department chair/head or associate dean (depending on the process of the College) submits the new topic offering (course, new topic title, and brief course description) via email to catalog@calpoly.edu.

Please see timeline table below for term specific deadlines.

Special (Selected) Topics

Special topics courses are academic credit-bearing courses in the Cal Poly catalog that provide a generic course vehicle to offer special topics on an "as needed basis", see Academic Senate Resolution for more information.

Special topics courses are for teaching topics which:

  • are to be offered for one or two terms (special topics to be offered more than two terms should be proposed as regular courses for the Catalog),
  • are worthy of academic credit, and
  • are designed for group study and so would not be appropriate for individual study.

The most common occasional courses, 2270, 2271, 4470, 4471, 5570, 5571, are available to all academic programs, and have the same generic course description.

Each topic offered through a special topics course has its own unique set of course learning objectives, unlike topic/subtitle courses, e.g. ENGL 4439 Significant British Writers. The latter type of course has a single set of course learning objectives shared by all of its topics.

Special topics courses must be taught following the generic catalog description, including the mode of instruction, modality, and prerequisite. For example, all 4470 courses must be taught in the lecture mode with regular grading and consent of instructor. If specific requisites are proposed with a course proposal, these will be listed as recommended requisites and not enforced in the registration. If a lecture/lab mode is desired, both 4470 and 4471 courses must be proposed.

Special topics appear in the Class Schedule and on the students' transcripts. 

All topics approved on quarters that were not included on the semester proposals will need to be resubmitted for review and approval for semesters. 

To substitute a Special Topics Course for a course required in a program’s curriculum, a "Blanket Curriculum Substitution" form must be completed, which specifies the particular topic that substitutes for the curriculum requirement.

To add a Special Topics Course to an approved electives list in a program’s curriculum, a "Request to Add Approved Elective" form must be completed, which specifies either the course or the particular topic that is intended to apply towards the curriculum requirement.

    Process to offer new Special Topic offering

    Each college may determine its own internal review process for Special Topics Courses. Please check with your dean's office.

    • Complete a Special Topics Course Proposal form and route for review and signature approvals (department chair, college curriculum chair, and associate dean). 
      • If a lecture/lab mode is desired, a separate proposal for both 4470 and 4471 courses must be submitted.
      • If specific requisites are proposed with a course proposal, that do not match the generic catalog description, these will be listed as recommended requisites and not enforced in the registration.
      • Special topics are to be offered for one or two terms (special topics to be offered more than two terms should be proposed as regular courses for the Catalog).
    • The dean’s office forwards the completed and signed proposal via email to catalog@calpoly.edu.
      • Please do not include catalog or registrar as a signature on AdobeSign forms; instead send PDFs via email.
    • The approved topic’s description is added to the Special Topics webpage and the offering department is notified via email, so the special topic may be assigned to the appropriate course section in the schedule of classes.

    Please see timeline table below for term specific deadlines.

    Proposal Review Timeline

    A department proposing Special Topic or Topic course offerings must follow the process specified above. Proposals must be received via email to catalog@calpoly.edu by the listed deadlines. Please see the table below for term specific deadlines.

      *Be sure to check with your college curriculum committee for submission and review deadlines, as they may differ from dates listed below.

       
      for a TOPIC / Special topic to be offered in: office of the registrar must receive proposal by:
      Fall 2026 March 30, 2026
      Spring 2027 September 4, 2026
      Summer 2027 January 22, 2027

       

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