American Foundations: Perspectives on American Government, Society, and the Constitution

This course explores foundational debates of democracy in America through an in-depth examination of the Constitution’s philosophical foundations. From Federalist and Antifederalist arguments during the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America to antebellum debates on slavery and the U.S. Constitution, students will engage primary sources to understand the philosophical foundations of and competing perspectives on American governance and society. Through this course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding off the theoretical foundations of American political thought and its implications for contemporary democratic practices. 

This course is entirely virtual, and is taught by Dr. John Ray, Associate Professor of Political Science at Xavier University.  

This course is open to teachers in any state. Teachers will receive 3 graduate credits from Xavier University upon completion of the course.  

Credit from this course can transfer or apply:  

• 3 credits to the UVU M.A. in Constitutional Government, Civics, and Law 

• 3 credits to the Jacksonville State University M.S.E. in Secondary Social Studies Education 

• 3 credits to the Xavier University Graduate Certificate in the American Founding and Constitution 

AFAC 551: American Foundations: Perspectives on American Government and the Constitution 

• August 17 – December 11, 2026, Mondays, 7pm – 9pm ET 

• One one-hour required small group meeting per week 

Applications for this course are now closed. The American Founding and Constitution Program at Xavier University is accepting applications for Spring 2027. Interested teachers may apply to take individual courses or complete the entire graduate certificate. Please direct any questions to JMC Graduate Consortium Manager, Moyra Eaton, at meaton@gojmc.org 

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.