Freedom, Power, and the American Experiment

Most civics courses focus on how government works. This course asks a deeper question: What is government for, and what are its limits? Explore how these ideas are reflected in the U.S. Constitution and the writings of the nation’s founders.

Through open discussion and historical case studies, we will examine key tensions in American civic life, including the balance between majority rule and individual rights, the role of dissent in a free society, and the importance of free speech and inquiry. Topics include the Constitution as a limit on power, civil disobedience, propaganda and persuasion, and the relationship between markets and government.

Students will engage with a range of perspectives, from classical liberal and libertarian thought to progressive and traditional viewpoints, in a respectful environment that encourages critical thinking and independent ideas.