Section 3345.382
(A) As used in this section, "state institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.
(B) Each state institution of higher education shall develop a course with not fewer than three credit hours in the subject area of American civic literacy. The course shall include a study of the American economic system and capitalism. The course shall comply with the criteria, policies, and procedures established under section 3333.16 of the Revised Code. The course may be offered under the college credit plus program established under Chapter 3365. of the Revised Code. The course shall, at a minimum, require each student to read all the following:
(1) The entire Constitution of the United States;
(2) The entire Declaration of Independence;
(3) A minimum of five essays in their entirety from the Federalist Papers. The essays shall be selected by the department chair.
(4) The entire Emancipation Proclamation;
(5) The entire Gettysburg Address;
(6) The entire Letter from Birmingham Jail written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr;
(7) The writings of Adam Smith, including a study of the principles written in The Wealth of Nations.
Any student who takes the course shall be required to pass a cumulative final examination at the conclusion of the course that assesses student proficiency about the documents described in divisions (B)(1) to (7) of this section.
Each state institution of higher education board of trustees shall adopt a resolution approving a plan to offer the course developed under this section. Each state institution shall submit that plan to the chancellor of higher education. The chancellor shall review and approve each plan. Prior to approving a plan, the chancellor may require a state institution to revise the plan and the course.
(C) Beginning with students who graduate from a state institution of higher education in the spring semester, or equivalent quarter, of the 2029-2030 academic year, no state institution of higher education shall grant a bachelor's degree to any student unless the student completes a course described in division (B) of this section. A state institution may require students to complete the course as part of the institution's general education courses of study.
(D) The president of a state institution of higher education, or the president's designee, may exempt a student from the requirement to complete a course described in division (B) of this section, if the president or designee determines that the student has completed at least one of the following:
(1) A course offered under the college credit plus program established under Chapter 3365. of the Revised Code that satisfies the content requirements described in division (B) of this section and is approved by the chancellor;
(2) An advanced placement course and examination that satisfy the content requirements described in division (B) of this section and are approved by the chancellor, and the student receives a score of three or higher on that examination;
(3) At least three credit hours, or the equivalent, in a course in the subject area of American history or American government.
(E) This section does not apply to associate's degree programs.
Last updated April 29, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- June 27, 2025 – Enacted by Senate Bill 1 - 136th General Assembly [ View June 27, 2025 Version ]