‘Western Civ’ Courses Have Declined Since 1964, Report Says

Almost no prominent colleges or universities in the United States require students to take a survey course in Western civilization, according to a report released on Wednesday by the National Association of Scholars. In 1964, 10 of the country’s 50 most prestigious colleges required a two-semester survey of Western history and ideas, but today none do. Even history majors are rarely required to take such courses. The report singles out for praise courses at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Pennsylvania State University. The report’s authors include Peter W. Wood, a blogger for The Chronicle.