Curriculum: Definition, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：course of study (curriculum)

curriculum 🔊

/kəˈrɪkjʊləm/

All the subjects and courses that are taught at a school or college.

Curriculum illustration: teacher explaining a colorful class timetable with subjects like Math and Science.

course of study 🔊

➕

/kɔːrs əv ˈstʌdi/

The complete set of subjects, courses, content, and learning experiences that constitute an educational program at an institution.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'currere' (to run) + '-culum' (instrumental suffix), literally 'a running, a course'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a CURRICULUM as the designed 'course' or track (like a race course) that students run through during their education.

📖 Example

The school is updating its curriculum to include more computer science and environmental studies. 🔊 The educational institution is revising its complete program of study to incorporate additional subjects like computer science and environmental studies.

🔗 Collocations

core curriculum – The central, mandatory subjects that all students must study.

curriculum development – The process of designing, implementing, and improving educational courses and programs.

curriculum vitae – A brief written account of one's personal details, education, and professional career; a résumé (used primarily in academic contexts).

🔄 Synonyms

syllabus (n.) – An outline of the subjects and topics in a particular course of study, more specific than a full curriculum.

program (n.) – A planned series of courses or events in education or training.

coursework (n.) – The work done by students as part of a course of study.

🚫 Antonyms

extracurricular (adj.) – Activities pursued outside the regular curriculum of an educational institution.

🌱 Derivatives

curricular (adj.) – Relating to the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin, 'curriculum' originally meant 'a running, a race, a course'. Its educational sense evolved in Modern Latin as 'a course of study', metaphorically a path or track to be followed for learning, which entered English in the 19th century.