How do course goals differ from curriculum goals?

The distinction between course goals and curriculum goals is fundamentally rooted in their scope and application. Curriculum goals encompass a broader educational framework that applies across multiple courses within a program or academic pathway. They articulate the overarching aims and educational outcomes that students should achieve as a result of completing an entire curriculum. This broad perspective allows curriculum goals to guide the development of various individual courses, ensuring that there is a cohesive educational experience.

In contrast, course goals are more specific to a single course and typically focus on what students are expected to learn and achieve by the end of that particular class. This includes specific competencies, skills, or knowledge that are targeted through the course content and assessments.

Understanding this difference is essential for educators when designing and implementing both course and curriculum objectives, ensuring that individual courses effectively contribute to the broader educational outcomes set by the curriculum.