The American Idea: Politics, Freedom, and Conflict
A survey of the ideas and contradictions of American politics from the colonial period through the Civil War
This three-week summer course traces the evolution of American political thought from the colonial era through the Civil War, examining how promises of liberty, equality, and democracy took shape and collided in practice. Through a wide range of primary sources including philosophical texts, pamphlets, speeches, sermons, fiction, and poetry, students will uncover the key debates around early white male suffrage, federalism, judicial review, and slavery. In addition to reading essential primary sources from this complex period in U.S. history, participants will also discuss how to incorporate course documents and topics into their K-12 classroom and complete a final curricular project.
This synchronous course is entirely virtual, and is taught by Dr. Michelle Schwarze, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
This course is only open to teachers in Wisconsin. Teachers will receive 3 graduate credits from The University of Wisconsin-Madison upon completion of the course.
Credit from this course can transfer:
PS 360: The American Idea: Politics, Freedom, and Conflict
- Week 1: July 20 – July 24, 1pm – 3pm CT
- Week 2: July 27 – July 31, 1pm – 3pm CT
- Week 3: August 3 – August 7, 1pm – 3pm CT
The deadline to apply is May 1, 2026. 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.