(a) The purpose of the following requirements is to ensure that students acquire knowledge and skills that will help them to comprehend the workings of American democracy and of the society in which they live to enable them to contribute to that society as responsible and constructive citizens. To this end each campus shall provide for comprehensive study of American history and American government including the historical development of American institutions and ideals, the Constitution of the United States and the operation of representative democratic government under that Constitution, and the processes of state and local government. To qualify for graduation each student shall demonstrate competence by completing courses in the foregoing fields or by passing comprehensive examinations in those fields. Students transferring from other accredited institutions of collegiate grade, who have been certified by such institutions as meeting these requirements, shall not be required to take further courses or examinations therein. The Chancellor may institute such guidelines as may be appropriate for the administration of this section.

(b) The Chancellor may grant exceptions to these requirements for students enrolled in degree major programs who transferred from a California Community College if the California State University programs are mandated by law to articulate with California Community College associate degree programs, and the baccalaureate degree programs are limited by law to 120 total semester units (180 quarter units).

(c) The Chancellor may grant exceptions to these requirements for high-unit professional degree major programs on a program-by-program basis.

(d) The appropriate campus authority may grant exceptions to these requirements in individual cases of demonstrable hardship.

(e) A post-baccalaureate student who is enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program shall not be subject to the requirements set forth in this section if: