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appendicesAppendicesAppendix ACRITERIA FOR EVALUATING CORE COURSESDistribution requirements on most campuses todaypermit students to pick from a wide range of coursesthat often are overly-specialized or even outside thestated field altogether. Accordingly, to determinewhether institutions in fact have a solid core curriculum,ACTA defines success in each of the sevensubject areas as follows:CompositionAn introductory college writing class focusing ongrammar, clarity, argument, and appropriate expositorystyle. Remedial courses and SAT/ACT scoresmay not be used to satisfy a composition requirement.University-administered exams or portfolios are acceptableonly when they are used to determine exceptionalpre-college preparation for students. Writingintensivecourses, “writing across the curriculum”seminars, and writing for a discipline are not acceptableunless there is an indication of clear provisionsfor multiple writing assignments, instructor feedback,revision and resubmission of student writing, andexplicit language concerning the mechanics of formalwriting, including such elements as grammar, sentencestructure, coherence, and documentation.LiteratureA comprehensive literature survey or a selection ofcourses of which a clear majority are surveys and theremainder are literary in nature, although single-authoror theme-based in structure. Freshman seminars,humanities sequences, or other specialized coursesthat include a substantial literature survey componentcount.Foreign LanguageCompetency at the intermediate level, defined as atleast three semesters of college-level study in any foreignlanguage. No distinction is made between B.A.and B.S. degrees, or individual majors within thesedegrees, when applying the foreign language criteria.U.S. Government or HistoryA survey course in either U.S. government or historywith enough chronological and topical breadth toexpose students to the sweep of American history andinstitutions. Narrow, niche courses do not count forthe requirement, nor do courses that only focus ona limited chronological period or a specific state orregion. State- or university-administered and/or statemandatedexams are accepted for credit on a case-bycasebasis depending upon the rigor required.EconomicsA course covering basic economic principles, preferablyan introductory micro- or macroeconomics coursetaught by faculty from the economics or businessdepartment.MathematicsA college-level course in mathematics. Specific topicsmay vary, but must involve study beyond the level ofintermediate algebra and cover topics beyond thosetypical of a college-preparatory high school curriculum.Remedial courses or SAT/ACT scores may notbe used as substitutes. Courses in formal or symbolicA report by the american council of trustees and alumni35