Course Description

This class will explore the discourse surrounding American liberty and American politics, drawing from historical events and modern policy debates as examples. We will question the meaning of words used in political discourse, contrasting their connotations to the social, economic, historical, and philosophical implications of the policies they describe.

Specific topics include domestic policies such as taxation, business regulation, monetary policy, the War on Drugs and gun control -- as well as foreign policy. We will examine historical events ranging from the American Revolution to the Civil War; from the Progressive Era to the War on Terrorism. We will explore words such as "liberal," "progressive," "constitution," "peace-keeping," "terrorism" and many others.