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 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 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 WSS program prepares students to enter some of the fastest growing occupations in Florida and the nation. By integrating the study of intelligence, diplomacy, military power, and statecraft, the program prepares graduates to engage thoughtfully in the challenges of citizenship and leadership in a diverse society. Students will develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills essential for careers in government, public policy, and consulting.
Required Courses
Intellectual Foundations | 15 credits
These five courses provide the intellectual foundation of the interdisciplinary WSS major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| ISS 2294 | Theories and Structures | 3 |
| ISS 2710 | Grand Strategy I: Athens to American Revolution | 3 |
| ISS 2715 | Grand Strategy II: Early American Republic to Contemporary Era | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Breadth of Exposure | 24 credits
Eight courses provide WSS majors broad exposure to the interconnected histories of war, statecraft, and strategy.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ISS 4680 | Contemporary Challenges | 3 |
| ISS 4682 | Statecraft and Strategy | 3 |
| ISS 4713 | War (take twice) | 3 |
| ISS 4714 | Theoretical Frameworks | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Senior Thesis | 3 credits
A substantial capstone project completes the WSS major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ISS 4911 | War, Statecraft, and Strategy 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 ISS 2710: Grand Strategy 1
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.25 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete ISS 2715: Grand Strategy II
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete ISS 2294: Theories and Structures
- Complete one additional required War, Statecraft and Strategy course at the 3000 level
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 UF GPA required
Semester 6
- Complete one additional required War, Statecraft and Strategy course at the 3000 level
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 UF GPA required
Semester 7
- Complete two additional required War, Statecraft and Strategy courses at the 3000 level
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.5 UF GPA required
Semester 8
- Complete ISS 4911: War, Statecraft and Strategy Research Seminar
- 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| ISS 2105 | The Origins of the Contemporary West: I (Ancients to the Scientific Revolution) | 3 |
| Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Mathematics | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| ISS 2106 | The Origins of the Contemporary West: II (Enlightenment to Modernity) | 3 |
| Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences; Gen Ed International | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 6,000 words | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Mathematics | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| ISS 2710 | Grand Strategy I: Athens to American Revolution (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| ISS 2715 | Grand Strategy II: Early American Republic to Contemporary Era (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Quest 2 | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 6,000 words | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| ISS 2294 | Theories and Structures | 3 |
| Breadth of Exposure: War #1 | 3 | |
| Breadth of Exposure: Contemporary Challenges #1 | 3 | |
| Elective (Writing Requirement 6,000 words) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| Breadth of Exposure: Theoretical Frameworks #1 | 3 | |
| Breadth of Exposure: Statecraft & Strategy #1 | 3 | |
| Elective (Writing Requirement 6,000 words) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| Breadth of Exposure: War #2 | 3 | |
| Breadth of Exposure: Theoretical Frameworks #2 | 3 | |
| Breadth of Exposure: Statecraft & Strategy #2 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| ISS 4911 | War, Statecraft, and Strategy Research Seminar (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Breadth of Exposure: Contemporary Challenges #2 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |