WESTERN CIVILIZATION DEGREE

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that no later than December 31, 2020, the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education, must develop a 4-year western civilization degree program that shall result in a student receiving a bachelor's degree in western civilization. Provides that a student in the degree program must complete the first year of the program in high school, the second and third year of the program at a public community college in this State, and the final year of the program at a public university in this State. Requires the Board, in collaboration with the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education, to develop the curriculum of the degree program, which must include course instruction on philosophy, literature, history, art, and architecture from various periods of western civilization. Provides that any university that has a postgraduate degree program must accept a western civilization degree awarded to a student under the program to satisfy any requirements of a bachelor's degree. Requires the Board, in consultation with the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education, to adopt rules.