Course Description
This course traces the development of the concept of freedom from its roots in the ancient world up through the French Revolution. We will examine Hebrew, Greek, and Roman roots of liberty, Christian developments of the theme, and modern attempts to justify freedom and equality.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: HIS203, HIS213.
Additional Details
Freedom's Foundations I is the first in a two-course sequence that, as one of the college's distinctive, flagship courses, is required of all Patrick Henry College students. The Freedom's Foundations courses trace the development of the concept of freedom from its roots in the ancient world to its culmination in our contemporary world. Along the way, we will also consider ideas and institutions that both support and undermine traditionally established liberties. In Freedom's Foundation I, we will examine the Hebrew, Greek, and Roman notions of liberty, the expansion of liberty in the Middle Ages, and changing conceptions of liberty in the seventeenth and eighteenth century.
A typical week in GOV 213 involves reading from a core text, usually on American political thought (e.g. Madison, Lincoln, Tocqueville), and engaging your classmates in a threaded discussion. The course grade is determined by participation in discussion and performance on scholarly papers and exams. The course does require synchronous events such as Skype or chat. Students are expected to stay on-schedule with assigned readings and assignments, however.
