Texas universities purge core courses as political pressure takes its toll

Texas public universities are slashing hundreds of courses from their core curricula amid growing political pressure, with some institutions eliminating classes focused on gender, race, and other topics frequently targeted by conservative lawmakers. The removals include 350 listings at one major university system and 133 at another, reflecting broader shifts in academic offerings as institutions navigate evolving educational policies. Critics argue the changes limit student exposure to diverse perspectives, while administrators cite compliance with state directives as the primary reason for the cuts. The trend raises questions about the future of certain disciplines in higher education under heightened political scrutiny.

Public universities in Texas have dropped hundreds of courses from their core curricula — or altogether — amid rising political pressure over the last two years. Texas A&M University has removed 350 core listings across its system, many dealing with gender, race and other popular GOP targets. The University of Houston has nixed 133 classes...