Florida Universities Reduce Hundreds of General Education Courses
State's Push to Limit "Woke" Ideologies Questioned
Topic:
US News
by MPeriod
Posted 2 months ago
Florida Universities Reduce Hundreds of General Education Courses Amid State Push to Limit "Woke" Ideologies
Florida’s public universities are making sweeping changes to their general education offerings in response to a state law aimed at curbing so-called "woke ideologies" in higher education. This move, driven by the Florida Board of Governors and supported by Governor Ron DeSantis, will impact students and faculty across the state as hundreds of courses are set to be removed from the list of required general education credits for graduation.
The Law Behind the Course Culling
The decisions stem from a far-reaching law passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature in 2023, designed to reshape the state’s higher education system by removing courses that promote concepts like identity politics. The law requires a comprehensive review of the general education curriculum across the state's 12 public universities, ensuring courses align with what the state defines as “unbiased and non-exploratory content.”
This law follows a series of education reforms led by DeSantis, including policies that restrict funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and impose post-tenure reviews to target “unproductive” faculty. One key aspect of the law prohibits general education courses from “distorting significant historical events” or teaching topics tied to identity politics, which has led to the removal of a wide array of courses previously integral to many degree programs.
Targeted Courses and State Involvement
Many of the courses set to lose their general education designation include subjects that explore gender, race, and social issues. Courses like "Anthropology of Race & Ethnicity," "Sociology of Gender," and "Women in Literature" are among those being shifted from general education requirements to electives, raising concerns that they may disappear from university offerings altogether.
While universities have traditionally had autonomy over course selection, the new law has granted the state greater influence over what is deemed acceptable for general education. Ray Rodrigues, the chancellor of the university system, defended the state’s actions, arguing that the law aims to protect students from being “forced” into taking courses that delve into prohibited subjects.
“If their subject matter is compelling, students are going to elect to take it,” said Rodrigues. “But students will not be forced to take courses with prohibited concepts to fulfill their general education requirements.”
A Comprehensive Review Impacting Thousands of Students
The course review process spans all 12 public universities and affects hundreds of classes. The University of Florida (UF), for instance, is expected to strip nearly 700 courses of their general education status. One example is "Religion and Social Movements," a course created in 2020 that addresses the role of religion in shaping social movements, including protests against police violence and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The course’s potential removal has left faculty like Anna Peterson, a religion professor at UF, frustrated by the state’s intervention:
“I don’t understand how it could get through the UF approval process and now be rejected. That basically kills that class.”
Other courses, such as "Humanities Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality" and "Social Geography," are among the many that focus on hot-button social issues that have been identified for removal.
Impact on Students and Faculty
The reduction of general education courses has sparked alarm among faculty, who fear the long-term implications for academic freedom and the availability of diverse course offerings. Some professors are concerned that once these courses are removed from core requirements, they will face further cuts or be eliminated due to declining enrollment as electives.
Student advocates have also voiced their opposition to the changes, arguing that the restrictions will limit students' exposure to important academic topics and reduce opportunities for critical engagement with social issues. James Hernandez, an anthropology student at Florida International University (FIU), expressed disappointment at the removal of courses that explore race and gender:
“It’s going to make it so people are exposed to fewer things they might be interested in.”
Political Ramifications and National Attention
The curriculum overhaul in Florida has attracted national attention and drawn criticism from free speech and academic groups, including PEN America and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). These organizations argue that the state’s efforts to remove courses related to identity politics threaten academic freedom and could have long-term repercussions, including faculty job losses and program closures.
Some university leaders, however, have supported the course reductions. At Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), officials are removing 40 courses, representing a 25% reduction in general education offerings. Mark Rieger, FGCU’s Executive Vice President and Provost, praised the decision as a way to improve student success by focusing on fewer courses with better resources.
“Offering fewer courses with better resources was better than offering many courses,” Rieger said, according to meeting minutes from FGCU’s trustee board.
Looking Ahead: What’s at Stake
The final decision on which courses will remain in Florida’s general education catalog is expected in January 2025, when the Board of Governors completes its review. Until then, the debate continues over the extent to which state involvement in university curricula is shaping the future of higher education in Florida.
The stakes are high for students, faculty, and the broader academic community, as these changes may set a precedent for how higher education is governed, not only in Florida but across the nation. With critical courses on the chopping block, many wonder what this shift means for academic diversity and the freedom of students to engage with a full range of perspectives during their college years.
In conclusion, Florida’s decision to remove hundreds of general education courses is part of a broader state effort to reshape the content and focus of higher education. While proponents of the law argue that it protects students from being forced to engage with controversial topics, critics warn that it risks undermining academic freedom and limiting exposure to important social issues. As the review process moves forward, both students and faculty are bracing for the potential long-term impacts on the state’s university system.
