curriculum
kuh-RIK-yuh-lum
/kəˈrɪkjʊləm/
The complete course of study or collection of subjects taught in a school, college, or training program.
Includes learning objectives, materials, sequence, and assessment schemes, not just a syllabus list.
The story behind the word. The Romans used 'curriculum' to describe the oval track upon which chariots raced. In 16th-century university records in Scotland and Holland, scholars began metaphorically using the word to describe the 'course' or 'track' of study a student had to complete to graduate.
Word relationships
- syllabus: A syllabus outlines one specific class, whereas a curriculum outlines an entire program of study.
- course of study: Course of study is a literal description, while curriculum carries technical educational connotations.
Commonly confused with
- curriculum vitae: A curriculum vitae (CV) is an academic resume, whereas curriculum refers to educational courses.
Word family
- curricular (adjective): Relating to a curriculum.
- extracurricular (adjective): Activities pursued outside the normal course of study.
Collocations
- core curriculum
- curriculum development
- hidden curriculum
- national curriculum
Example sentences
- "The child and the curriculum are simply two limits which define a single process." Educational Philosophy
- "The committee met to update the science curriculum to include modern artificial intelligence topics." School Administration
Memory hook
Picture running a race along a track (currere = run) where every milestone is a course subject. The academic race track.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a syllabus, which is a outline document for a single course.
Fun facts
- The plural form can be either 'curricula' (traditional Latin) or 'curriculums' (modern English).
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