CLT 2000 The American Constitutional Tradition

[3 credit hours]

This course will examine the American constitutional order, from its philosophical origins in the ancient and modern Western tradition to the contributions of 20th century political theorists. We will seek to understand how the American Constitution was created and how it has been interpreted and challenged through various constitutional crises. To this end, we will study the documents and speeches that have shaped America from the Founding era to the present day, including the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, The Federalist, and the writings of leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

CLT 3000 The Art of Statesmanship and the Civic Life

[3 credit hours]

This course examines the art of statesmanship, the meaning of political greatness and the means of educating aspiring young statesmen and stateswomen. The ambition, moral character, cunning, prudence, and grit required for effective statesmanship are analyzed using books written by past statesmen for future statesmen. The course also explores whether the life of leadership is a desirable way of life. Differences between classical and modern statesmanship are considered, in addition to the unique demands that different regimes and natural circumstances place on founders and leaders.

Term Offered: Fall

CLT 3010 The Art of Rhetoric and the Civic Life

[3 credit hours]

This course examines the art of rhetoric and the role that rhetoric plays in different political societies. The purposes and limitations of rhetoric and public deliberation in modern democracies will be analyzed through close readings of great speeches from classical to modern times. The tradition of great speeches by American men and women is a special focus of this course. Other forms of writing, including philosophical texts, dialogues, essays, and literary works will be considered. Students will also write and present their own oration and may receive feedback from professional speechwriters.

Term Offered: Spring

CLT 3020 Liberalism and Conservatism in America

[3 credit hours]

This course examines the development and ongoing dialogue between liberal and conservative political thought in America. Students will explore foundational texts from both traditions, analyzing how they have shaped American political discourse from the founding era to the present. The course places special emphasis on key debates about individual liberty, tradition, progress, markets, and social justice. Through careful reading of paired texts from liberal and conservative thinkers, students will develop a deeper understanding of America's major political-philosophical traditions.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

CLT 3030 Model U.S. Senate

[3 credit hours]

Through the recreation of historical Senate debates, students will learn the nature of statesmanship and the distinct function of the Senate in our republic. We will begin by studying the creation of the U.S. Constitution, focusing on the separation of powers and how the American Founders envisioned the role of Congress within it. We will then study the development of Congress throughout U.S. history. This study will include the simulation of three historic Senate debates, in which students will strategize and debate legislation and other congressional actions. Topics may include foreign policy, treaty ratifications, constitutional amendments, and presidential impeachments.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

CLT 3040 Constitutional Democracy and Democratic Citizenship

[3 credit hours]

This course examines the theoretical foundations and practical challenges of constitutional democracy, combining insights from political economy and moral philosophy. Students will explore how constitutional systems manage competing interests, how democratic institutions function, and what ethical obligations citizens have in a democracy. Topics include constitutional design, public choice theory, voting behavior, religious freedom, and civic duties. The course emphasizes both formal analysis of democratic institutions and normative questions about democratic citizenship.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

CLT 3500 Civic Discourse

[3 credit hours]

This course explores the value of civic discourse to an open, free, and tolerant society and provides students with an opportunity to learn and practice the core skills necessary to civic discourse. Students will study the underlying philosophic justifications for maintaining an open society and the connection between civic discourse and an open society. Students will also study how to productively discuss difficult or sensitive subjects with others who hold different or contrary views, and the value of doing so. The class will confront a series of contemporary “hot-button” issues (i.e. gun control, immigration, abortion, policing) to allow students the opportunity to engage in civic discourse.

Term Offered: Fall

CLT 3510 Competing Theories of Justice

[3 credit hours]

This course explores competing theories of justice as models we can use to explore and think more carefully about contemporary controversies in public, political, and social spheres. Students will assess the practical applications of those theories in different situations. Students will also research and prepare an executive summary on different actions, laws or public policies. They will present these summaries in a mini-conference that will take place as part of the course.

Term Offered: Spring

CLT 3750 The Empire of Modern Science

[3 credit hours]

This course examines the ascendance of science as leader of the modern world. Students examine the science’s leadership as a proposition: Are science and technology sufficient to guide human life and society? Readings are drawn from primary sources in the history and philosophy of science from ancient to modern times. Students will wrestle with difficult questions and will engage at length critiques of science and Western liberalism. The course also examines the ambitions and limits of the modern scientific enterprise and investigates whether scientific education adequately equips young scientists to serve as leaders and stewards of humanity’s future.

Term Offered: Spring

CLT 3990 Special Topics in Civic Thought

[3 credit hours]

This course examines special topics in civic thought and leadership. Topics will be determined by the instructor and may be interdisciplinary. Among other possible topics, this course may focus on a careful reading of a single text, a comprehensive study of a single author’s thought, or more broad investigations of ideas, history, and texts across multiple authors. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours under different topics.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall