James Madison and Alexander Hamilton were allies as authors of the federalist Papers, and yet their views on how the new government should function and what it should do grew increasingly different, and opposed, as time passed. This program explores their similarities and differences about how the Constitution should be interpreted and implemented, what powers the new government and its officials should wield. Both history and government teachers will find useful documents, questions and ideas in this program. This program…

The post Civil War industrial era galvanized labor movements and unions. A clash between industry and labor was often met with violent strikes such as Pullman, Homestead and Haymarket Square. This seminar will focus on some of the early reformers such Eugene Debs, Samuel Gompers and their influence on America’s labor history. This program will be conducted as a Socratic discussion, utilizing primary source documents as the only readings, and with the Discussion Leader facilitating the conversation, instead of lecturing…

This seminar examines the controversial topic of civil disobedience. Here we will consider whether civil disobedience could be an appropriate response to unjust laws in a liberal democracy. By comparing their respective arguments, our aim is to consider whether civil disobedience is compatible with the principles of government as defined by the Declaration of Independence. This program will be conducted as a Socratic discussion, utilizing primary source documents as the only readings, and with the Discussion Leader facilitating the conversation,…

Study one of the core ideas in American history, government, politics and culture, that of natural rights, as expressed and used in documents such as the Declaration of Independence. This session will be based around a small cluster of documents and will consist of a scholar-led discussion. All attendees of this free Seminar will be provided with a certificate for continuing education and a digital copy of the agenda and document found here. Click here to register.

This seminar will discuss Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence as proposed to the Continental Congress, in which Jefferson denounced slavery and sought an end to the slave trade as reasons for severing ties with Great Britain. This program will be conducted as a Socratic discussion, utilizing primary source documents as the only readings (found here), and with the Discussion Leader facilitating the conversation, instead of lecturing or presenting. Registrants, therefore, are highly encouraged to read all the…