Curriculum

A curriculum (plural: curricula) is a program of study. It is used to plan teaching or training. It spells out the details so others can know what is going to happen:

1. what topics will be taught
2. in which order they will be taught
3. often, how much time will be spent on each topic
4. it is often linked to a timetable, and other details of an organisation where it will take place
5. it is often authorised by a public or private examination board, and used as the basis for setting exams

Today it usually means the courses, their content, and the coursework offered at a school or university. Often, curricula are backed by some kind of theory, or by intending to change what was done before.^[1] Curricula may be backed by textbooks and by courses to train teachers. The study of curricula is part of most qualifications for teachers.

A similar word is syllabus, which means a summary of topics which will be covered during an academic course, or book or lecture. Another term is discipline, which in this sense means an academic subject-matter.

1. ↑ Shipman M.D; Bolam D.W. & Jenkins D.R 1974. Inside a curriculum project: a case study in the process of curriculum change. London: Methuen. ISBN 0-416-78040-7