A new Iowa law requiring university students to study American history and government is facing pushback from liberal academics. State Rep. Taylor Collins championed House File 2800 to address glaring gaps in civics knowledge, but critics are defending ideological electives and attacking the GOP-created Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa.
Why Iowa Republicans Championed House File 2800
For years, surveys have shown that college students struggle with basic knowledge about the Constitution and American government. Rep. Collins argued that Iowa's public universities need to step up and ensure graduates understand our founding principles. House File 2800 answers that call by requiring students to take courses in American history and government through designated centers, rather than relying on the current curriculum that often prioritizes progressive activism over factual history.
Critics Defend Ideological Electives Over Foundational Civics
Recent letters to the editor in the Des Moines Register highlight the opposition from the left. Bruce Waldon of Waterloo argued that the law restricts student choice, claiming students should be allowed to fulfill civics requirements through multiple departments that offer courses like