Foundations of American Democracy is a graduation requirement for all students seeking a baccalaureate degree who enter a UNC institution, including Appalachian State University, on or after July 1, 2025, as stipulated by UNC Policy 400.1.5 (9).
Student Learning Outcomes
Courses that fulfill this requirement must include substantively the following student learning outcomes:
- Evaluate key concepts, principles, arguments, and contexts in founding documents of the American republic, including the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and a representative selection of the Federalist Papers; and,
- Evaluate key milestones in progress and challenges in the effort to form "a more perfect Union," including the arguments and contexts surrounding the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Letter from Birmingham Jail, as well as other texts that reflect the breadth of American experiences.
Courses that satisfy this requirement may be completed as part of the student's General Education program, with a course in their major or as an elective.
Approved Foundations of American Democracy Courses
Courses that have been approved to fullfill this requirement are listed below. Classes that are also part of the General Education curriculum are indicated.
- ENG 2330 Discourse and Democracy (Gen Ed - HUM)
- HIS 1200 American History (Gen Ed - HUM/HS)
- HIS 2525 The Americans: A Cultural History (Gen Ed - ICL/HS)
- HIS 3728 History of North Carolina (Gen Ed - ICL/HS)
- IDS 2000 The Idea of America (Gen Ed - HUM/HS)
- PHL 2040 Philosophy of Democracy (Gen Ed - HUM)
- P S 1100 American National Government and Politics (Gen Ed - HUM/SS)
- SOC 1100 Social Problems in American Society (Gen Ed - HUM/SS)
- SOC 3650 Political Sociology
- WRC 1103 Investigations (Local): Democracy An Owners Manual (Gen Ed - FYS/RC 1000)
Faculty Resources
Governance
The Foundations of American Democracy (FAD) Faculty Coordinating Committee (FCC) is responsible for overseeing the FAD attribute, including but not limited to: establishing criteria for course inclusion in the attribute and approving plans and reports for Foundations of American Democracy assessment. The Committee is made up of three to five faculty members appointed for three-year staggered terms by the Faculty Senate. Members are chosen for their disciplinary expertise and with concern for representation across departments and colleges and no single department is to have a majority of members on the Committee. The chair of the committee is elected by the Committee members at the start of each academic year.
The Foundations of American Democracy Faculty Coordinating Committee
- Phillip Ardoin, (ardoinpj@appstate.edu) - Government and Justice Studies / Chair (3 year term, Spring 2028)
- Rick Elmore, (elmorerl@appstate.edu) - Philosophy and Religion (2 year term, Spring 2027)
- Allison Fredette, (fredettead@appstate.edu) – History (2 year term, Spring 2027)
- Johnnie Lotesta, (lotestaja@appstate.edu) – Sociology (1 year term, Spring 2026)
- John McHone, (mchonejs@appstate.edu) – English (1 year term, Spring 2026)
Course Proposals
Proposals for classes to be approved to count towards the Foundations of American Democracy (FAD) attribute require the submission of a completed Foundations of American Democracy Proposal Form [PDF]. Proposals for new classes to count towards the Foundations of American Democracy attribute require the submission of completed Forms Part A and Part B to the home College of the proposed course. If the class is also being proposed for the General Education Program a Part C form is also required to be submitted.
Submit Your Proposal
- Complete the Foundation of American Democracy Attribute Course Proposal Form [PDF]
Questions?
For additional questions about the Foundations of American Democracy requirement please contact the chair of the FCC or email gened@appstate.edu and be sure to include FAD in the subject line of the email.