By Alicia Monroe, Senior Correspondent
In a significant shift driven by Republican-led legislatures, several red states—including Ohio, Utah, and Florida—are enacting laws to reshape college general education. These measures emphasize civics rooted in Western civilization while curbing courses centered on race and gender. The changes aim to prioritize “viewpoint diversity” and reduce what lawmakers view as the influence of identity politics.
Ohio now mandates readings from “The Federalist Papers” and Adam Smith, while Utah’s legislation replaces humanities courses with texts from Western history. Florida has gone further by eliminating hundreds of race and gender-focused general education courses, aligning with a controversial law aimed at combating “woke ideology.” Critics, including educators, warn these laws threaten academic freedom, restrict curricular diversity, and prioritize a narrow historical narrative.
Ohio: Mandating Classical Texts
In March 2025, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 1 into law, requiring all public college students to complete a course in “American civic literacy.” The curriculum mandates readings from foundational documents such as the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and at least five essays from “The Federalist Papers.” Additionally, students must study selections from Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations” to understand free-market principles.
Supporters argue this approach reinforces essential civic knowledge. However, educators express concerns about the narrow focus. One Ohio State University professor noted that the legislation assumes a single narrative of the American civic tradition, disregarding the nation’s complex and diverse history. Critics say that while promoting civic literacy is laudable, mandating a specific ideological framework risks excluding alternative perspectives.
Students in Ohio’s university system are also raising their voices. Campus discussions have intensified over concerns that mandated readings could marginalize modern interpretations and lived experiences. Some student groups have organized forums to discuss how classical texts intersect with contemporary issues like income inequality and systemic racism.
Utah: Establishing a Civic Center
Utah’s Senate Bill 334, signed by Governor Spencer Cox in March 2025, mandates that students at Utah State University take a year-and-a-half course in Western civilization and an additional one-semester course in American civics. The law also establishes the Center for Civic Excellence at the university to oversee the new curriculum.
While the bill aims to promote viewpoint diversity and civil discourse, faculty members have expressed mixed reactions. One English professor at Utah State criticized the legislation, stating that framing Western thought as superior ignores contributions from non-Western cultures and promotes a one-sided worldview.
Conversely, some faculty believe the new curriculum could encourage richer classroom discussions if implemented thoughtfully. Committees of faculty members have been formed to develop course materials, and there are efforts to include diverse perspectives within the framework of Western thought.
Community reactions in Utah have also been divided. Some parents and alumni have applauded the return to a more “traditional” education model, while others worry about the suppression of progressive courses. Civic organizations in the state have called for public input as the curriculum evolves.
Florida: Eliminating “Woke” Courses
Florida has taken the most aggressive approach. Under legislation signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, the state has eliminated hundreds of general education courses that focus on race, gender, and identity politics. The law prohibits courses that are deemed to distort historical narratives or promote ideological indoctrination.
At Florida State University, more than 400 courses were removed from the general education curriculum, including subjects like Anthropology of Race and Ethnicity and Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies. A professor of political science warned that these changes could lead to the eventual elimination of entire African American studies programs if current trends continue.
Students and faculty have voiced strong opposition. Protests have been held on several campuses, with calls to reinstate some of the removed courses. University administrators are working to revise their course catalogs while trying to preserve academic integrity under the constraints of the new law.
Meanwhile, Florida education officials argue that the state is protecting students from what they describe as divisive ideologies. They assert that the changes promote a balanced and factual approach to education, free from bias. However, many academic institutions and civil liberties groups across the country remain skeptical.
National Implications and Reactions
These legislative moves reflect a broader trend among conservative states to reshape higher education curricula. Proponents argue that emphasizing Western civilization and foundational texts fosters critical thinking and civic understanding. However, critics contend that these changes threaten academic freedom and marginalize important perspectives on race, gender, and diversity.
Universities and educators nationwide are grappling with the implications. Faculty senates are debating whether to comply or resist. Accreditation bodies are monitoring whether these changes affect academic standards. Legal scholars are questioning the constitutionality of state-mandated curricula.
The debate extends to the public sphere. Editorials in national newspapers, op-eds from educators, and segments on major news networks have brought attention to the ideological struggle shaping college classrooms. At town halls and school board meetings, citizens are voicing opinions on both sides, revealing a deep divide in how Americans view education’s role in society.
As these policies take effect, the long-term consequences remain to be seen. Will this usher in a revival of classical education, or will it limit the academic exploration that has long defined higher learning in the U.S.? What is certain is that the landscape of American higher education is undergoing a profound transformation.
