"Tea Party" Histories and Politics: 1773-2011

Description

From the vantage point of the 1773 Boston Tea Party to 21st century “tea parties,” this survey course examines U.S. history and politics and the relation of the past to the present.  This course is also about civics: a history of government with attention to the meaning of citizenship.  Students analyze the question of who is the “we” in “We the People of the United States” along with historical and contemporary interpretations of the Constitution.  This question is raised in relation to the American Revolution, the Civil War, the 1976 Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence, and political events of 2008-2011.

During the final 4 weeks of the course, students will work independently or in small groups on a particular era or aspect of U.S. history, government, and/or civics in lieu of regular class meetings.  In collaboration with their faculty, students will determine their respective area of focus.