What is the difference between subjects and courses

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Thread starter Beatrix Kiddo Start date Oct 9, What is the difference between a course and a subject in education terms? I mean, let's say you are studying English at Uni. If you take "Shakespeare", for example, would that be a course or a subject? And would you say the Shakespeare subject or the subject of Shakespeare?

A subject is a broad category for different types of courses. A course is a specific class, with a specific teacher. Taco at Taco Bell University I don't know the context of your second question.

Usually one would say "I'm taking a shakespear course" or "I'm taking shakespeare". In my university in Ireland the course was the collection of subjects which were studied in order to obtain the degree. From a UK perspective: If you are studying English then you can say that English is your subject or that your doing a course in English.

I think most UK universties now have modular courses, so you might do a module on Shakespeare along with several other modules selected from those available on the course. Beatrix Kiddo said:. Evidence: terminology such as "Schedule of classes" for a particular semester and "Course catalog" not bound to a particular semester. Lessons are considered as chapters filled with a certain amount of assignments.

It can take several classes to finish one lesson, but also several lessons can be done in one class. Classes are certain, every day you attend classes, therefore also the lessons. Right now, we either finish and understand the lecture or we don't understand it and have to redo the whole course since we could not keep up with other students, or we have to take extra classes to polish the lessons we already have had.

Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. What is the difference between taking courses, classes or lessons? Ask Question. Asked 10 years, 4 months ago. Active 5 years, 1 month ago. Viewed k times. Improve this question. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. North American English course This means a series of classes, on a particular subject, usually lasting a whole semester or year.

Example sentences: What courses do I need to take to get a degree in English? Students must register for 4 courses to be considered full time. I'm taking a course on Shakespeare's sonnets. Example sentences: I can't go for coffee now, I have a class.

I have classes all day Wednesday. Second, as a slightly more informal term for 'course'. Example sentences: I'm taking a class on Shakespeare's sonnets. How many classes are you taking this semester? Example sentences: For a series of individual classes on pottery, I'm taking a pottery class. For a particular instance of a class, In my yoga class today, we did back bends. British English course In British English, a course refers to a course of study, i.

Improve this answer. Alan Munn Alan Munn 1, 13 13 silver badges 18 18 bronze badges. The various series of lectures lasting a semester, e. Calculus I, that would be needed for a degree in this Course are called Subjects. In contrast, at most other American universities, Mathematics might be referred to as a Subject though Major or Curriculum are more likely and Calculus I would be called a course. DilipSarwate Interesting.

It certainly seems to be a minority use in the U. Notwithstanding the fact that people will be sloppy with their language and use these terms synonymously: Course is the broadest term for the study of a subject. Joel Brown Joel Brown 5, 1 1 gold badge 23 23 silver badges 25 25 bronze badges.

Here are some meanings associated with each: course - field of study, duration as in "time elapsed", the process of evaluation and grading class - teacher-student interaction, where the interaction does not necessarily include the evaluation and grading grading process lesson - a unit of knowledge, tutorial, achieving a greater level of understanding Course is at the highest, most abstract macro level. Ellie Kesselman 5, 3 3 gold badges 24 24 silver badges 50 50 bronze badges. Thale Thale 4 4 gold badges 11 11 silver badges 21 21 bronze badges.

Irene Irene Theta No, I'm speaking about the UK. In a "class" you take lessons. In a "course" you take many classes. Thursagen Thursagen These are not all set in stone, as students use these terms especially class and course interchangeably Let me see if I can simply all of the above: A lesson is part of a class ; a class is part of a course ; a course is part of a program that usually leads to a degree or certification.

AnWulf AnWulf 1, 9 9 silver badges 10 10 bronze badges. Except for the fact that 'lesson' isn't really used at least in the US and 'class' can be synonymous with 'course' and therefore isn't always part of one, and 'course' can mean 'program' in the UK.

Simplification isn't always what it's cracked up to be. AlanMunn In my part of the US, lesson is a well known word. Maybe it is owing to that I'v dated several teachers but lesson is word that I'v heard often—lesson plans; get tomorrow's lesson ready—asf.

Many textbooks have "Lesson " instead of "Chapter ". I'm off to class. Course doesn't work here When you're talking to your advisor, you'll discuss the coursework not classwork As for your substitutions, the fact that 'class' can be a synonym of 'course' doesn't entail that 'course' can be used everywhere 'class' can be. It doesn't matter, professors hav lesson plans as well as high school teachers. I'v made lessons plans for classes at a corporation.

With your advisor you'll discuss the courses you'll need for your program or maybe degree track. If class and course were syn. Think of it this way. In order to complete the course, you must go class for your lessons.