IA SF322

Bill

A bill for an act establishing completion of a course on American history and civil government as a requirement for the completion of a baccalaureate degree program at a public institution of higher education.

Introduced
02/17/2025

In Committee
02/17/2025

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill requires a public institution of higher education to establish as a requirement for the completion of any baccalaureate degree program that a student complete a survey course in American history and civil government. The requirement begins with the academic year commencing in 2027. The bill provides minimum required subjects that must be taught and documents that students must read as part of the course. The bill defines a public institution of higher education as a regents institution or a community college with respect to any baccalaureate degree program offered by the community college and to any student enrolled in such a program. The bill provides that the course shall be assigned a value of three semester hours of credit and that the course shall fulfill any general education requirement in the social sciences that is a graduation requirement. The bill provides that a student shall not be required to complete the course again if transferring to another public institution of higher education.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a mandatory three-semester-hour survey course in American history and civil government as a requirement for completing a baccalaureate degree at public institutions of higher education in Iowa, beginning in the 2027 academic year. The course must comprehensively cover American democratic institutions, including the basic principles of the United States' republican form of government, its historical development, and comparisons with other governmental systems. Students will be required to read foundational documents such as the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, Emancipation Proclamation, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter from Birmingham jail. The course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of American civic ideals, constitutional principles, landmark Supreme Court cases, and the evolution of American democratic institutions. The legislation ensures that the course will fulfill general education social science requirements and that students who complete the course at one public institution will not need to retake it if they transfer to another public institution of higher education. By mandating this course, the bill seeks to enhance students' understanding of American history, government, and civic engagement.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Mark Lofgren (R)*,

Last Action

Senate Education Subcommittee (11:00:00 3/6/2025 Lobbyist Lounge) (on 03/06/2025)

Official Document

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF322

(2 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF322
BillText	https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF322.html

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
HF402	A bill for an act establishing completion of a course on American history and civil government as a requirement for the completion of a baccalaureate degree program at a public institution of higher education.(Formerly HSB 56.)	Referred to Higher Education. H.J. 895.	Similar To
HSB56	A bill for an act establishing completion of a course on American history and civil government as a requirement for the completion of a baccalaureate degree program at a public institution of higher education.(See HF 402.)	Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 402.	Related

Bill > SF322

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary