NEH Enduring Questions Course on Concepts of Freedom in Philosophy, Law, Literature, and Theology

FAIN: AQ-51120-14

Linfield University (McMinnville, OR 97128-6894)
Nicholas Buccola (Project Director: September 2013 to February 2017)

The development of an elective undergraduate course on ideas about freedom spanning Greek philosophy and early Christian theology to American thought and modern literature.

The development of an elective undergraduate course on ideas about freedom spanning Greek philosophy and early Christian theology to American thought and modern literature. Nicholas Buccola, a political science professor at Linfield College, develops a course that explores the ways freedom has been defined across a broad range of historical eras, cultures, philosophical perspectives, and genres. Buccola asks, What is freedom? Why do human beings want to be free? Should human beings be free? What sorts of political, economic, and social institutions are best suited to promote human freedom? What are the greatest obstacles to human freedom and can those obstacles be overcome? Responses to this enduring question come from writers as diverse as Plato (The Trial and Death of Socrates), Machiavelli (Discourses on Livy), St. Augustine (City of God), Mary Wollstonecraft (A Vindication of the Rights of Woman), Henry David Thoreau (Walden), W. E. B. Du Bois (The Souls of Black Folk), James Baldwin (The Fire Next Time), Ayn Rand (Anthem), Drucilla Cornell (At the Heart of Freedom), and Jonathan Franzen (Freedom). In the work of these writers, students confront ideas about the political dimensions of freedom, threats to freedom posed by state or private power, and the existential perils of freedom. Students complete a writing assignment for each of three sections of the course, take active part in a regular online forum, lead discussion in class, and meet with the professor in small groups for peer-review writing workshops. The work plan includes preparatory reading as well as presentations at a campus-based series of faculty development meetings and at a topical discussion group and conference devoted to the teaching of interdisciplinary courses on "Ultimate Questions."

Associated Products

What is Freedom? (Web Resource)
Title: What is Freedom?
Author: Nicholas Buccola
Abstract: This webpage serves as an introduction to the "What is Freedom?" course offered at Linfield College.It provides information about the course trajectory and objectives, required texts and assignments, and links to course documents.
Year: 2015
Primary URL: http://www.linfield.edu/polisci/what-is-freedom.html
Primary URL Description: "What is Freedom?" Course

William F. Buckley and American Conservatism (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: William F. Buckley and American Conservatism
Abstract: Speakers presented two contrasting views of William F. Buckley and American conservatives' views on race during the mid-20th century. They focused on the changing attitude toward race adopted by conservatives before and after the Civil Rights movement.
Author: Patrick N Allitt
Author: William Hogeland
Date: 05/08/2015
Location: Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon
Primary URL: https://www.c-span.org/video/?325967-1/discussion-william-f-buckley-american-conservatism

Me and My House: James Baldwin, Prophet of Freedom (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Me and My House: James Baldwin, Prophet of Freedom
Abstract: In this public lecture, David Leeming, a scholar of comparative literature and author of James Baldwin: A Biography, utilizes his experiences as a biographer and personal friend of James Baldwin to address the question, "Who was, and who is, James Baldwin?"
Author: David Leeming
Date: 12/10/2015
Location: Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon
Primary URL: http://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/douglass/13/

---