Breadths

Students are required to complete Breadth courses in seven distinct areas of university study that reflect fundamental ideas and approaches associated with core academic disciplines.

In completing the Exploring Science requirement, students must take both lecture and lab courses (if they are offered separately). Students may elect to take two Exploring Science classes and use the second to satisfy the Technological Advances and Society requirement. Students must take both lecture and lab courses (if they are offered separately) to use an Exploring Science course to fulfill the Technological Advances and Society requirement. The maximum of 23 credits reflects the fact that lab-based science courses may be four credits.

Explore the seven Breadth requirements at SMU.

Breadth Components

students working on project

Creativity & Aesthetic (CA)

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the conventions of a particular art form in a specified context through production and/or analysis of that form.
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Exploring Science (ES)

Students will demonstrate an ability to engage in scientific inquiry with respect to the natural world.
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Historical Context (HC)

Students will demonstrate an ability to engage in historical thinking.

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Literary Analysis & Interpretation (LAI)

Students will be able to analyze texts through close readings, and demonstrate an understanding of the text’s underlying historical, social, political, and cultural contexts, in pursuit of an individually-developed, well-argued analysis and interpretation.

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Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry (PREI)

Students will demonstrate an understanding of philosophical, religious, or ethical concepts, traditions, or practices and their corresponding methods of inquiry.

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Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS)

Students will demonstrate an understanding of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of human behavior, culture, and/or institutions.

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Elfi Kraka at computer

Technological Advances & Society (TAS)

Students will describe, analyze, evaluate the impact of technology on society within a domain.

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