Principia College is a four-year private coeducational liberal arts college for students of Christian Science in Elsah, Ill. It was first opened in 1912 as a junior college. The college offers various academic programs, including teacher education, theater, foreign language, journalism, science, art, music, and political and social sciences. All its students and faculty are practicing Christian Scientists who have pledged to abstain from alcohol, tobacco and other drug usage, as well as remain sexually abstinent outside of marital relationships. The college campus was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of Interior. Principia College is known for its solar car team and its public affairs conference. Its athletic teams, known as the Panthers, compete in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.