Founding the American National Government

Catalog description

Many contemporary disputes in American politics reflect ongoing debates that were first articulated clearly during the drafting and ratification of the Constitution in 1787. (Some examples: war powers, small versus large government, governmental concern with character formation or morality, factions and the common good, direct democracy versus representation, the role of "elites," etc.) This course will examine the founding debates closely, linking specific decisions to some of the broad themes just mentioned. It will also use student papers to carry the disputes through the early years of the government. The course will require interpretive papers based on assigned reading, and one research paper based on primary source documentation. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor.