Brain Fuel

Is the United States the democratic republic that our Founders envisioned? Are the “American” principles of government, reflected in our Constitution, still in place today? What would the Founders have to say about the current struggle over war powers between the executive and congressional branches? What would their position be on modern-day gun control, gay marriage, and the role of religion in civil and political life? This course explores the ideas and beliefs that influenced key actors in our nation’s founding and assesses the state of American democracy today in light of their expectations. We will look at the writings of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and even some of lesser known but equally important founders like Mercy Otis Warren. The aim of this course is to encourage students to reflect on the relevance of Founders’ views today, and to consider whether the American system of government is exportable, or in fact was the product of unique circumstances that cannot be replicated.