Franklin: The First American
Traces the political and economic thought of Benjamin Franklin through his essays, letters, and publications.
This course explores the political and economic thought of Benjamin Franklin through his essays, letters, and publications. Students will trace Franklin’s contributions to governance, commerce, diplomacy, and civic responsibility, and will contextualize Franklin’s writings within the broader intellectual landscape of the eighteenth century.
During weekly seminars and small group meetings, course participants will discuss Franklin’s writings alongside secondary sources that analyze and contextualize his ideas. Some of the primary sources that students will read include The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, “Letters of Silence Dogood,” and Franklin’s writings on race and slavery. Throughout the semester, students will write essays related to course readings and lead several discussions. The semester will end with a written exam taken during the final class period.
This synchronous course is entirely virtual, and is taught by Dr. Mack Mariani, Professor of Political Science and Director of the American Founding and Constitution Program at Xavier University.
AFAC 555: Franklin: The First American
- January 12 – April 27, Mondays, 7pm-9pm ET
Course registration has closed.
This course is a part of the Jack Miller Center’s Civics Foundations Graduate Consortium, which seeks to provide K-12 teachers with high-impact graduate education centered around American civics and history. Click the link below to read more about the consortium and explore other available courses.