Polk State College Drops African-American Studies Course Due to State Law Compliance

Course Removal at Polk State College

• 📌 Polk State College has discontinued its "Introduction to African-American Studies" course.
• 🎯 The college cited non-compliance with a new state law as the reason for removing the course.

State Law and Curriculum Review

• 📜 The course was reviewed by a faculty committee, which determined its curriculum did not adhere to state requirements.
• ⚖️ A college spokesperson stated the removal was to comply with Senate Bill 266, passed in 2023.
• 🚫 This law prohibits courses based on theories asserting that systemic racism, sexism, or oppression are inherent in the United States.

Student Perspective on the Course

• 💬 Freshman Antonio Scar Bro acknowledged the course's value in teaching history and showing people of color where they came from.
• ⚠️ He also noted that the subject matter might be uncomfortable for some students, especially as it is discussed more recently.
• 🌐 Scar Bro suggested that students can still learn about African-American history through various alternative resources like YouTube.

Future Curriculum Integration

• 💡 The college spokesperson indicated that they will explore ways to integrate such curriculum into other courses.
• 🛠️ Efforts will also be made to revamp existing courses to ensure they comply with the state's requirements.