Civics and Liberty Studies
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & PUBLIC POLICY
Civics and Liberty Studies Website
Director: Ryan Owens; Undergraduate Director, James V. Shuls
Faculty: Michael Driscoll, Sean Hadley, Denise Harle, Phillip Pinell, James Strickland
The Institute for Governance and Civics' new multidisciplinary undergraduate degree in Civics and Liberty Studies (CLS) reflects the IGC's legislative mandate and faculty expertise. The program’s core combines the study of American civic traditions, broadly construed, with a substantial emphasis on social science and methods of analysis. After completing a common core of courses, students specialize in one of four areas of liberty: constitutional liberty, economic liberty, conscience liberty, or educational liberty.
Course instruction and research supervision are provided by Institute for Governance and Civics faculty and faculty from a variety of Florida State University departments. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree creates opportunities for collaboration with existing single-discipline departments.
The curriculum provides a comprehensive education organized around civic thought, political philosophy, social science, and empirical methods. It integrates classical and modern texts, empirical social science, legal analysis, and rhetorical training to develop thoughtful, data-informed, and ethically grounded civic leaders. The degree culminates in a senior research seminar and paper for every student.
Dedication to Civic Formation
The Civics and Liberty Studies degree is dedicated to civic formation through the integration of the liberal arts tradition and the empirical tradition.
The curriculum examines civic formation through constitutional thought, political philosophy, religion, and great books. It is designed to sharpen students’ acumen, open their minds to significant ideas, and prepare them to engage civilly and thoughtfully with complex issues.
The program also provides an empirical foundation for civic life. Students develop the ability to read and interpret polls and evaluate the data and statistics that increasingly shape public debate. Together, the program’s liberal-arts and empirical components support a renewed civic pragmatism: the cultivation of the whole person alongside the technical competence needed to apply social-scientific tools to civic questions and public life.
First Amendment Clinic
The First Amendment Clinic was launched by the Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) in partnership with FSU College of Law and provides pro bono legal representation to individuals and organizations across the country whose rights to free speech, religious freedom, freedom of association and assembly, or freedom of the press are at risk. Civics and Liberty Studies students with an interest in pre-law may have an opportunity to engage with programming offered by the First Amendment Clinic.
State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites
The Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) houses the statewide, internet-based catalog of distance learning courses, degree programs, and resources offered by Florida's public colleges and universities, and they have developed operational procedures and technical guidelines for the catalog that all institutions must follow. The statute governing this policy can be reviewed by visiting the Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network page.
There are no specified common prerequisites for this major. All Florida College System students are encouraged to complete the Associate degree. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area at the intended transfer institution.
Digital Literacy Requirement
Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Digital Literacy Requirement with a grade of “C–” or higher. Courses fulfilling the Digital Literacy Requirement must accomplish at least three of the following outcomes:
Evaluate and interpret the accuracy, credibility, and relevance of digital information
Evaluate and interpret digital data and their implications
Discuss the ways in which society and/or culture interact with digital technology
Discuss digital technology trends and their professional implications
Demonstrate the ability to use digital technology effectively
Demonstrate the knowledge to use digital technology safely and ethically
Each academic major has determined the courses that fulfill the Digital Literacy requirement for that major. Students should contact their major department(s) to determine which courses will fulfill their Digital Literacy requirement.
Undergraduate majors in CLS may satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in CGS2060, CGS2100, or CGS2518, or through other mechanisms as detailed in the relevant section of this General Bulletin.
Major Requirements
The major in Civics and Liberty Studies requires 45 hours with a grade of C or better in each course; a required 27 credit hours of core coursework, including a 3-credit hour methods course, and 18 credit hours in one of four chosen concentration areas.
Students complete the following core coursework:
Core Classes (27 credit hours)
AMS 2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order (3)
AMS 3362 Leadership as Statesmanship (3)
AMS 2335 Great Books of the Early Modern World (3)
AMS 4930 American Civics Research Seminar (3)
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
IDS 2118 Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (3)
POS 3625 The First Amendment (3)
PUP 3002 Introduction to Public Policy (3) or ISS 4014 Evidence Based Public Policy (3)
One methods course (3 credit hours): ECO 3431 Analysis of Economic Data (3), or POS 3713 Understanding Political Science Research (3), or STA 2122 Introduction to Applied Statistics
Four Paths
Following the core curriculum, students select one of four 18-credit-hour pathways.
Constitutional Liberty (18 credit hours)
REQUIRED COURSES:
POS 4606 The Supreme Court in American Politics (3)
POS 4603 American Constitutional Law I (3)
PHM 3400 Philosophy of Law (3)
POS 3490 Social Science and Law (3)
CHOSE TWO COURSES FROM THE FOLLOWING:
POS 3064 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations (3)
ECO 4532 Economic Analysis of Politics (3)
POS 3931 The Supreme Court’s Current Term (3)
AMH 4130 Revolutionary America, 1760 - 1788 (3)
ECP 3451 Economics and the Law (3)
Economic Liberty (18 credit hours)
REQUIRED COURSES:
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECP 3451 Economics and the Law (3)
ECO 3223 Financial Markets, the Banking System, and Monetary Policy (3)
PHI 3670 Ethical Theory (3)
CHOSE TWO COURSES FROM THE FOLLOWING:
ECO 3622 Growth of the American Economy (3)
ECO 3004 Debating Economic Issues (3)
ECO 3003 Comparative Economic Systems (3)
ECP 4413 Government Regulation of Business (3)
ENT 2802 Entrepreneurship and Contemporary Society (3)
ENT 3273 Family Business (3)
Conscience Liberty (18 credit hours)
REQUIRED COURSES:
PHM 3331r Modern Political Thought (3)
REL 3754 Religion and Conscience (3)
REL 3178 Religion and Law (3)
PHI 3670 Ethical Theory (3)
CHOSE TWO COURSES FROM THE FOLLOWING:
ECO 3130 Free to Choose (3)
PHI 3220 Introduction to Philosophy of Language (3)
PHI 3300 Knowledge and Belief (3)
Educational Liberty (18 credit hours)
REQUIRED COURSES:
AMS 3331 Learning and Liberty (3)
AMS 3353 The Science of Learning in Classical Education: Insights from Quintilian to Modern Cognitive Science (3)
AMS 3352 Foundations of Classical Education: History and Philosophy, Part I (3)
AMS 4354 Foundations of Classical Education: History and Philosophy, Part II (3)
CHOSE TWO COURSES FROM THE FOLLOWING:
AMS 4336 Socratic Inquiry and the Formation of Affections (3)
AMS 4943 Policy and Practice in Education (3)
REL 3178 Religion and Law (3)
POS 3064 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations(3)
CLS Scholarship Opportunities
The Institute for Governance & Civics at Florida State University is proud to offer scholarships for students pursuing the Civics and Liberty Studies (CLS) degree.
These scholarships are designed for principled students who are serious about understanding liberty, engaging founding principles, and developing the knowledge and character required to sustain a free society. Whether you aspire to thoughtful leadership, civic responsibility, or a deeper grasp of the American constitutional tradition, these awards provide meaningful financial support along with opportunities to connect with like-minded scholars and faculty.
Awards range from $1,776 to $15,000 and may be renewable for high-performing students. For more information visit CLS's scholarship page.