Florida Removes Sociology as Required University Course in DeSantis Anti-Woke Push
Florida's state education board, handpicked by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, has voted to remove sociology as a required graduation component at public universities. This decision, made on Thursday during the legislative session in Tallahassee, marks the latest move in DeSantis's ongoing campaign against what he perceives as 'woke' indoctrination in higher education.
Board Decision Relegates Sociology to Elective Status
The ruling by the board of governors, a majority of whom are DeSantis appointees, effectively demotes the standalone Introduction to Sociology course from a core general education requirement to an optional elective. This change will take effect in August at Florida's twelve state-governed universities. While institutions can still offer the course, they are now prohibited from including it as a mandatory class that fulfills graduation obligations.
Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the Florida State University System and a close political ally of DeSantis, defended the decision at the board meeting in Pensacola. 'Sociology as a discipline is now social and political advocacy dressed in the regalia of the academy,' he stated, as reported by the Miami Herald. Rodrigues, who has been instrumental in advancing the governor's 'anti-woke' agenda in higher education since his appointment in September 2022, argued that the move addresses concerns over ideological bias.
Broader Ideological Overhaul in Florida Higher Education
This action is part of a wider ideological transformation driven by DeSantis in state-run universities and colleges. In 2024, the board replaced the more advanced Principles of Sociology course with a history class as an approved core graduation requirement. Additionally, DeSantis has outlawed classes and initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and has instigated what critics describe as a 'hostile takeover' at institutions like the New College of Florida and the University of West Florida.
At the New College of Florida, formerly a liberal arts school, DeSantis removed the previous board of governors and installed rightwing allies, leading to controversies such as the dumping of thousands of books, including a complete clearance of its gender and diversity section. Similarly, at the University of West Florida, one of his appointees was Scott Yenor, a controversial political science professor who resigned last year after making inflammatory remarks about career-oriented women.
Controversies and Resistance to the Changes
The rebranding efforts have not always proceeded smoothly. In 2024, the Independent Florida Alligator, the student newspaper of the University of Florida, exposed the spending habits of Ben Sasse, the former Republican senator from Nebraska who served as president. Sasse, DeSantis's handpicked choice, was alleged to have fired numerous staff, abolished the university's DEI program, and spent $17.3 million in his first year while providing lucrative jobs to political allies. Sasse denied these claims.
According to the Miami Herald, the removal of the sociology course came as a surprise, as it was not listed on the meeting's agenda. Rodrigues cited faculty resistance to a newly approved, state-designed sociology curriculum and textbook, with professors arguing that it stripped core concepts and misrepresented the discipline. Kimberly Dunn, an accounting professor at Florida Atlantic University and one of two board members who voted against dropping the course, expressed concerns. 'The removal may be premature and broader than necessary,' she said. 'Sociology contributes directly to the competencies we consistently emphasize. These are skills our graduates need across every sector.'
The Guardian has reached out to Rodrigues for further comment on the decision and its implications for Florida's higher education system.
