How to Propose an Overlay Course

Overlay classes (also known as Seawolf Studies Graduation Requirements) are courses that cut across (or ‘overlay’) the curriculum at Sonoma State. Overlays, which are required, ensure that students complete courses, or a relevant educational experiences, in areas that reflect state-wide and campus-wide core values as an essential part of our students’ education. 

Overlay courses must be 3 or 4 units. They may be upper or lower division, may be in GE, in major or minor, or may be an elective. The senate has four categories of Overlay courses:

1. Writing Proficiency Overlay: 3-4 units (one course)
   • Met either through a Writing Intensive Course (WIC) or a Writing Enriched Course (WEC).
   • Note that this was formerly the "GWAR overlay." WEC is still under development, and still must be approved by the appropriate levels of governance.
2. American Institutions: 6 units (two 3-unit courses, or one 6-unit course)
   • American Institutions: History
   • American Institutions: U.S. Constitution and California State and Local Government
3. Sustainability OR Global Awareness: one course, student option
   • Sustainability and Environmental Resilience: 3-4 units (one course)
   • Global Awareness: 3-4 units (one course)
4. Critical Race Studies: 3-4 units (one course)

How do I propose an Overlay course?

To add an Overlay to ...

• an existing course: use the Course Revision Form in Curriculog
• an existing GE course: see below note on recertification, otherwise use the GE Course Revision form in Curriculog
• a new course: use the New Course Form in Curriculog.

In all cases, in your course proposal be make sure to ...

• Check the ‘Is this an Overlay Course’ box in your proposal. 
• When you are crafting the proposal, refer to the appropriate course content criteria form (see Resources). 
• Identify in your proposal exactly where in the syllabus your course (which weeks? which readings?) will address the content criteria. 
• Include the appropriate Overlay language in your syllabus.

Recertification of WIC and AI Overlay courses

WIC and AI courses have been requirements at Sonoma State before the 2019 GE revision. However, all courses that are intended to satisfy WIC or either AI requirement must be recertified under the new criteria. 

To re-certify an existing AI course, choose either the ‘Course Revision’ form or ‘GE Course Revision’ form (if it is a GE course) in Curriculog. 

To re-certify an existing WIC course, please use the ‘New Course’ Form in Curriculog. This is because your course must include the ‘WIC’ suffix (e.g., HIST 498WIC). You can also launch a Discontinuation proposal for the current course without the WIC suffix, if you do not plan to teach both iterations of the course