Gen Ed humanities courses must include the ‘Western canon’ under new state law

How can a course called Chinese Religions or Haitian Culture and Society incorporate readings from the “Western canon”?

Florida university faculty have until July to figure it out.

A new Florida law requiring all humanities General Education core courses include “selections from the Western canon” will take effect Fall 2024. The requirement was added to Florida statutes in May as part of Senate Bill 266, the same sweeping education reform bill that cut state funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs. 

To ensure universities are enforcing new standards, the bill mandates faculty committees review Gen Ed courses and report them to the state for review every four years beginning July 1.