CLAS students must take a single second language through the intermediate level to fulfill the second language competency. Students who completed three years of a single second language in high school have successfully completed this requirement.

If this requirement has not been fulfilled, the student must pass the intermediate level by taking up to 4 semesters of college-level study in a single second language or by passing an equivalency exam. Students interested in taking an equivalency exam should contact the Department of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages.

Second Language Requirements

A student meets the minimum language competency requirement if they have completed one of the criteria below. They have:

• 3 years of high school level coursework in a single foreign language
• Demonstrated proficiency in a second language by passing the proficiency exam or demonstrated transcripts and previous coursework
• 4 semesters of a single foreign language: elementary courses (2 semesters) and intermediate courses (2 semesters)
• 2 years of high school level coursework in a single foreign language and passing UConn’s intermediate-level courses (2 semesters)
• Attaining a Seal of Biliteracy

For more information about the CLAS language requirement, please review the College's Second Language Policy.

Notes:

• Students can verify their second language requirements by running their Advisement Report in the Student Administration System.
• In certain exceptional cases, students with learning disabilities may request an adjustment to their Second Language Competency and Quantitative (Q) Competency requirements. To learn more, please review the College's policy on academic adjustments for students with disabilities.

Writing-Intensive Courses Requirement

Students must complete two writing-intensive (W) courses. At least one W course must be an approved 2000-level or above course in the student’s declared major. Visit the General Education Oversight Committee's website for an overview of W course guidelines.

First-Year Writing Requirement

Students must complete a first-year writing course before enrolling in a writing-intensive (W) course.

Requirement Options

• English Placement for First-Year Students: All students are required to complete ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011. First-year students must complete this English requirement before enrolling in a W course.
• English Choices for International Students: Students whose native language is not English may be placed in ENGL 1003 or 1004 to strengthen their English language and writing skills before taking ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011. Placement is determined by the First-Year Writing Program and based on a placement exam.
• English Choices for Transfer Students: Students with transfer credit of 6 or more credits of ENGL 91002 and ENGL 91003 have fulfilled the ENGL 1007/1010/1011 requirement. Students with 4 credits of ENGL 91002 or 91003 can visit the First-Year Writing Program's website for information on course equivalency reviews.

Students who have received three credits or more of either ENGL 91002 or ENGL 91003 and/or have taken an additional course with a significant writing component may apply for a course equivalency review. Please visit the First-Year Writing Program's website for details and to find out if you qualify.

Learn more about first-year writing course offerings.

Common Curriculum requirements are organized by Topics of Inquiry, or groups of courses that are clustered together by an overarching theme.

• Topic of Inquiry Requirement: Students must complete at least 3 credits in each Topic of Inquiry. Students in CLAS must complete at least 6 credits in each Topic of Inquiry 2, 3, 5, 6. Students must complete at least 21 credits across all Topics of Inquiry, representing at least six different subject areas as designated by subject codes (e.g., ANTH or WGSS). Students completing a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in CLAS must also complete the science coursework required for their degree program.
• Focus Area or Theme Requirement: Students must fulfill this requirement by completing one of the following:
  • A Focus Area, or at least 9 credits within a single Topic of Inquiry.
  • A Theme, which is comprised of at least 9 credits from a faculty-approved list of related courses. Available themes are listed in the Undergraduate Catalog.

For specific questions about Topics of Inquiry, requirements, and mapping your academic plan, please contact your advisor or make an appointment with an advisor in the CLAS Academic Services Center.

For the most accurate information about CLAS and University requirements, and courses, please visit the UConn Undergraduate Catalog website.

Courses in this topic of inquiry allow students to assess the importance of creativity, ideation, innovation, and/or technical design output to individuals, organizations, society, and/or various fields of study. Students will be able to demonstrate skill with evaluating, adjusting, and/or adapting the creative process to address particular challenges, needs, or conditions. Students will be able to design or create new ideas, mechanisms, methodologies, artistic works, and/or products.

Students in CLAS must take at least 3 credits from Topic of Inquiry 1.

Courses in this topic of inquiry allow students to analyze the cultures in a given society in their historical, linguistic, and/or sociopolitical context through an understanding of a broad array of historical actors, narratives, artistic forms, power structures, technologies, and/or beliefs. Students will be able to engage with a variety of perspectives in the global community, distinguish their own cultural patterns, and, through a process of dialogue and/or critical self-reflection, respond flexibly to multiple worldviews.

Students in CLAS must take at least 6 credits from Topic of Inquiry 2.

Through dialogic engagement, students will be able to examine cultural, social and/or biological diversity within national and/or global contexts and the effects power and privilege have on various social group identities. Students will be able to recognize and discuss basic issues of social injustice and how their own identities intersect with structural forms of oppression and empowerment, and how to be respectful and responsible allies (and accomplices) to individuals and groups they do not identify with. Students will be able to discuss the foundations of social inclusion and democracy and the actions that can create and maintain them within national and/or global contexts.

Students in CLAS must take at least 6 credits from Topic of Inquiry 3.

Courses in this topic of inquiry allow students to investigate how human activities impact Earth systems. Students will be able to examine how Earth systems affect human activities and well-being. Students will be able to assess how human-environment interactions are represented culturally, creatively, or artistically, and how these representations influence attitudes and behaviors. Students will be able to evaluate how public policies, legal frameworks, and/or other social systems affect environmental and social justice. Students will be able to articulate moral, ethical, and/or philosophical issues regarding the environment.

Students in CLAS must take at least 3 credits from Topic of Inquiry 4.

Courses in this topic of inquiry allow students, using theories and methods of social scientific or humanistic inquiry, to critically examine how institutions and values are justified and/or how they relate to political, social, economic, or familial institutions.

Students in CLAS must take at least 6 credits from Topic of Inquiry 5

All students must complete at least 3 credits of coursework in two of the three CLAS skill areas (6 credits total). This coursework must come from at least two different subject codes and may also be used to meet other degree requirements. Course approved in each skill area can be found in the University catalog.

Courses in Communication and Dialogue examine the processes of human interaction to enhance students’ understanding and ability.

Courses in Information, Digital, and Media Literacy educate students in the rhetorical and intercultural dimensions of media, both as consumers and creators.