Polk State Eliminates Course on African-American Studies
Polk State College has offered the Introduction to African-American Studies course since at least the 2018-2019 academic year.
The course covered the history, politics, arts, and culture of African-Americans since the 17th century, including slavery, Jim Crow, and the modern civil rights movement.
It examined the contributions of figures such as Frederick Douglas, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Martin Luther King Jr.
About 25 students had signed up for the course in the fall 2025 semester but received notice of its cancellation on July 31, less than two weeks before classes started.
Polk State permanently eliminated the course due to concerns that its content violated state law.
Author's summary: Polk State College cancels African-American studies course.