About this Program
- School: Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- Credits for Degree: 120
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
School Information
The Hamilton School of for Classical and Civic Education is devoted to research and teaching on Western civilization and the principles of a free society. Here students can see beyond their horizons to prepare for lifetimes of leadership by studying the greatest works of the Western tradition and beyond. Open inquiry and the pursuit of excellence, grounded in Western civilization and the American experience, are the foundation of an education that will lead our students to thrive, not just while at the University of Florida, but throughout their lives and careers. Liberal education promises to be a transformative experience and at the university, the “meeting place of the greats.” The Hamilton School of for Classical and Civic Education fulfills that promise.
CONTACT
Advising Email | General Email | 352.273.3040
Hamilton School
University of Florida
432 Newell Drive
CSE Building, 4th-5th Floors
P.O. Box 117460
Gainesville, FL 32611
Curriculum
- American Government, History, Literature, and Law
- American History, Government, Literature and Law Minor
- Christian Thought and Culture Minor
- Great Books and Ideas
- Great Books and Ideas Minor
- Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law
- Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law Minor
- War, Statecraft and Strategy
- War, Statecraft and Strategy Minor
The American Government, History, Literature and Law (AGHLL) program prepares students to enter some of the fastest growing occupations in Florida and the entire country. At the local and state levels, graduates will be able to fill roles in education, public service, and non-profit organizations. On an international scale, graduates will be equipped to engage in global dialogues around governance, cultural heritage, and law, enhancing their employability in multinational organizations and NGOs. Coursework rooted in reading and analyzing difficult texts with upper-level writing requirements in articulating logical and clear arguments makes graduates valuable in a workforce needing excellent writing, communication, and analytical skills.
Students are encouraged to use elective coursework for a double major or minor.
Required Courses
Intellectual Foundations | 12 credits
These four required courses provide the intellectual foundation of the interdisciplinary major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AMS 2813 | Classics of American Thought I: English Settlement to the Civil War | 3 |
| AMS 2814 | Classics of American Thought II: Reconstruction through the Twentieth Century | 3 |
| ISS 2105 | The Origins of the Contemporary West: I (Ancients to the Scientific Revolution) | 3 |
| ISS 2106 | The Origins of the Contemporary West: II (Enlightenment to Modernity) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Themes in American Civilization | 27 Credits
Nine variable topics courses provide students with multidisciplinary coverage of themes in American Civilization.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AMS 4XXX | American Conflicts (take twice) | 6 |
| AMS 4043 | American Law (take twice) | 6 |
| AMS 4806 | American Ideas (take twice) | 6 |
| AMS 4523 | American Cultural Movements (take twice) | 6 |
| AMS 4607 | American Characters | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Senior Thesis | 3 credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AMS 4970 | American Government, History, Literature, and Law Research Seminar | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- 2.25 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete AMS 2813
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.25 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete AMS 2814
- Complete one required American Government, History, Literature, and Law course at the 3000 level or higher
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete one additional required American Government, History, Literature, and Law course at the 3000 level or higher (1 of 3 courses must be at the 3000 level) with 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
- 2.5 UF GPA required
Semester 6
- Complete one additional required American Government, History, Literature, and Law course at the 3000 level or higher (2 of 4 courses must be at the 3000 level) with 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
- 2.5 UF GPA required
Semester 7
- Complete two additional required American Government, History, Literature, and Law courses at the 3000 level or higher (4 of 6 courses must be at the 3000 level) with 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
- 2.5 UF GPA required
Semester 8
- Complete AMS 4970
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 UF GPA required
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| ISS 2105 | The Origins of the Contemporary West: I (Ancients to the Scientific Revolution) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Mathematics | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 6,000 words | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| ISS 2106 | The Origins of the Contemporary West: II (Enlightenment to Modernity) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Humanities | ||
| Gen Ed Mathematics | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| AMS 2813 | Classics of American Thought I: English Settlement to the Civil War (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 6,000 words | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | |
| AMS 2814 | Classics of American Thought II: Reconstruction through the Twentieth Century (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Themes in American Civilization: American Characters | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| Themes in American Civilization: American Cultural Movements #1 | 3 | |
| Themes in American Civilization: American Ideas #1 | 3 | |
| Themes in American Civilization: American Law #1 | 3 | |
| Elective (Writing Requirement 6,000 words) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| Themes in American Civilization: American Conflicts #1 | 3 | |
| Themes in American Civilization: American Cultural Movements #2 | 3 | |
| Elective (Writing Requirement 6,000 words) | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| Themes in American Civilization: American Conflicts #2 | 3 | |
| Themes in American Civilization: American Ideas #2 | 3 | |
| Themes in American Civilization: American Law #2 | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| AMS 4970 | American Government, History, Literature, and Law Research Seminar | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or higher) | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |