IDS 230-01 What are the Foundations of American Democracy?

Prerequisite: ENG 102
3 credits

This interdisciplinary Great Books seminar uses the methodology of close textual reading and Socratic dialogue to answer the following question: What are the foundations of democracy in the United States from 1776 and until 1877? In particular, the seminar will examine the nature of American political elites and their role in government, participation in the political process, the paradox of slavery during the ante-bellum period and the Civil War and social justice issues during Reconstruction.