Explore Your Path. Design Your Future.
UHart’s Exploratory Curriculum (EXC) turns required courses outside your major into opportunities to explore new interests, learn across disciplines, and build skills for your future.
About the Program
The Exploratory Curriculum is part of UHart's General Education curriculum and is designed to help you learn beyond your major, build skills in critical thinking, math, and writing, and make connections across disciplines that broaden the way you think.
As part of the Exploratory Curriculum, you’ll take one course in each of seven areas:
- Math
- Writing
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Natural Sciences and Technology
- Participatory Creative Arts
- Interdisciplinary
Together, these courses provide a foundation for future learning in your major, minors, and Pathways.
| Course Requirements | Attribute Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Math [3-4 credits] | M | |
| 1 Writing [3 credits] | WRT | All colleges take WRT 110W |
| 1 Interdisciplinary [3 credits] | INT | |
| 1 Participatory Arts [3 credits] | ARTS | |
| 1 Humanities [3 credits] | HMN | |
| 1 Social Science [3 credits] | SOCS | |
| 1 Natural Science and Technology [3-4 credits] | NST | A lab science is required in HCA&S |
| General Education Category | Definitions |
|---|---|
| Humanities | Courses in the humanities consider diverse human histories, cultures, and beliefs in order to understand the human experience. Students analyze human culture, in an historical or contemporary context, as expressed in a variety of sources, including texts, literature, music, visual and performing arts. |
| Social Sciences | Courses in the social sciences probe the social forces and structures that shape our experience as individuals, communities, and societies. Students explore patterns of social behavior and interaction to find out how they shape – and are shaped by – environments, institutions, and organizations. |
| Natural Sciences and Technology | Courses in the natural sciences and technology investigate how the natural, physical, and/or technological world works. Students may use the scientific method, technological tools, and/or other empirical methods as well as collaboration to explore and apply scientific and technological solutions to real-world problems. |
| Participatory Creative Arts | Courses in the participatory creative arts teach the processes of creative and imaginative expression. Students build facility with artistic methods and skills and are encouraged to take risks to more effectively express themselves in any of a variety of media (e.g. visual art, music, dance, acting, film, or creative writing). |
| Interdisciplinary | Interdisciplinary courses employ multiple perspectives that enable students to understand complex problems by engaging with diverse sources and materials. Interdisciplinary courses guide students to connect knowledge, methods, and perspectives from multiple disciplines to develop integrative understandings and approaches.* |
| Diversity | Courses that meet this requirement will introduce students to topics including, but not limited to, gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, age, ability, religion, and/or class. These classes will explicitly link human diversity to questions of equity/inequity, justice/injustice, or inclusion/exclusion. At least 50% of the course content must directly address diversity as defined above, and course syllabi must include one or more student-learning outcomes related to cultural competence/diversity. |
Why Exploratory Curriculum?
Being an explorer means looking beyond what you already know.
You might pursue an interest you already have or try something completely new, like painting, filmmaking, or creative writing, or explore a topic that sparks your curiosity, from video game music to the Italian Renaissance or nutrition.
Interdisciplinary Learning
Make connections between subjects and consider ideas from different perspectives.
Critical Thinking
Dig deeper into ideas, ask questions, evaluate information, and draw thoughtful conclusions.
Real-World Application
Connect what you learn in the classroom to questions, challenges, and experiences beyond it.
Student Exploration
Follow your curiosity and expand your academic experience.
Pathways
Pathways are an optional way to give your EXC experience more focus. Choose a topic that interests you and take at least four approved general education courses from four different EXC categories to explore that topic from different perspectives. Complete a Pathway, and it will be noted on your transcript.
Explore the Pathways
Choose from five Pathways that connect EXC courses around a shared area of interest:
- Health and Wellness
- Sustainability
- Social Justice
- Big Data and AI
- Gender and Sexuality
Each Pathway gives you a way to approach one topic through courses from different areas of study. Your advisor can help you choose a Pathway and identify the courses that will help you complete it.
Resources
Find information and resources for navigating the Exploratory Curriculum, from planning courses and Pathways to completing requirements from the former UIS curriculum.
Find information and resources for teaching and supporting the Exploratory Curriculum, including course information, Pathways, and faculty-specific EXC guidance.
Proposing or Modifying a General Education Course
To propose a new course:
- Create the Curriculum Change Form (CCF) in Self-Service.
- Email Director Bryan Sinche with a sample syllabus and a one- to two-paragraph explanation of why the course should be included in general education and which category it should fulfill.
- The General Education Committee will review the proposal.
- The Director will email the decision to the proposer for inclusion in the CCF.
To modify an existing course:
Follow Step 2 above.
Courses are considered monthly.
Find information to help you understand your requirements, explore your options, plan your courses, and navigate Pathways as you move through the Exploratory Curriculum.
If you have questions about which courses will fulfill your UIS requirements, check with your advisor or contact Director Bryan Sinche or Associate Director Judy Wyman.
Resources
Contact & Support
Questions about the Exploratory Curriculum?
Contact Director Bryan Sinche or Associate Director Judy Wyman. Center for Student Success (CSS) advisors are also trained on the basics of EXC.