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.

Each college determines 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 department chair/head or associate dean (depending on the process of the College) submits the topic to Daniel Parsons, the Associate Registrar.

*Topics approved at least one month prior to the start of registration for a term can become valid that term.

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.

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 selected topics course has its own unique set of learning objectives, unlike subtitle/topic courses, e.g. ENGL 4439 Significant British Writers. The latter type of course has a set of 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.

Topics appear in the Class Schedule and on the students' transcripts.

Special topics courses are for teaching topics which:

• are to be offered for one or two terms (selected 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.

Special Topic Proposal and Review Process

A department proposing a Special Topic must make sure that such a course is clearly within the subject area of its own department, or that the written opinion of departments which may have a major interest in the subject area has been obtained, or that substantive reasons for pursuing the course over objections can be offered.

Topics approved at least one month prior to the start of registration for a term can become valid that term.

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.

• Complete a Special Topics Course Proposal form and route for review and signature approvals. If a lecture/lab mode is desired, a separate proposal for both 4470 and 4471 courses must be submitted.
• The dean’s office forwards the proposal to the Office of the Registrar.*
• The approved topic’s description is added to the Cal Poly Catalog and the offering department is notified, so the topic may be assigned to the appropriate course section in the schedule of classes.

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

for a 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