Support for the CSU United States History, Constitution and American Ideals Requirement, Commonly Known as the American Institutions Requirement

Spring
2019
Resolution Number
15.02
 
Contact
Assigned to
Curriculum Committee
Category
Intersegmental Issues
Status
Assigned

15.0           Whereas, The colleges in the California Community Colleges (CCC) system are committed to providing CCC students with a robust civic education by offering courses in history, political science, ethnic studies, and women’s studies that equip CCC students with an understanding of the United States Constitution and American history;

Whereas, As an aspect of fulfilling their graduation requirements, California State University (CSU) students are required to take six semester units in United States History, Constitution and American Ideals, including one course in United States history and one course that fulfills both U.S. Constitution and California state and local government, [1] which provides students with a comprehensive study of United States history and government, including the historical development of American institutions and ideals;

Whereas, Although the United States History, Constitution and American Ideals Requirement is not a requirement of the CCC system, many students choose to fulfill the requirement through coursework at a community college before transferring to the CSU, and thus this CSU requirement has been the backbone of U.S. history and civic education in both the CSU and CCC systems; and

Whereas, In the current political climate of the United States, the need for students to be educated in and knowledgeable about the U.S. Constitution and American history is more acute than ever;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges communicate to the California State University Academic Senate its support for and belief in the importance of the current United States History, Constitution and American Ideals Requirement; and

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges explore possibilities for adding a requirement similar to the California State University’s United States History, Constitution and American Ideals Requirement to the associate’s degree requirements for the California Community Colleges.

MSC


1. CSU Executive Order 1100 Revised August 23, 2017 https://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1100-rev-8-23-17.html