The Pursuit of Happiness
An examination of the key questions that framed the Declaration of Independence and their evolution since the eighteenth century
As the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence students in this course will study the document and the sources that inspired it. Students will explore the key questions that animated the Declaration and the ways in which they have evolved since the eighteenth century. Throughout the course, participants will consider effective ways of working with primary and secondary sources, as well as how to bring those sources into conversation with contemporary events, for middle- and high-school students.
Using the Declaration of Independence as a jumping off point, students will read selected ancient, Renaissance, and Enlightenment primary sources that influenced the American founding generation. Alongside the writings of Aristotle, Machiavelli, Locke, and others, students will consider the meaning and evolution of the questions that framed the Declaration. Participants will work together to think about and present ways to teach these documents and topics in their K-12 classrooms. They will end the course by completing a final curricular project.
This synchronous course is entirely virtual and will be taught by Dr. Ioannis Evrigenis, Alice Tweed Tuohy Professor of Government and Ethics at Claremont McKenna College.
Claremont Graduate University will accept applications from many states, but not all of them. Click here to check if your state is on the list before you apply. Teachers will receive 2 graduate credits from Claremont Graduate University upon completion of the course.
Credit from this course can transfer:
The Pursuit of Happiness
- Week 1: August 3 – August 7, 10am – 12pm PT
- Week 2: August 10 – August 14, 10am – 12pm PT
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.