FC 6352: Democracy in America: Journey and Genius of Alexis de Tocqueville

This course will consider the various aspects of democracy and republicanism, especially through the American experience since 1776. Most of the course will revolve around a reading of de Tocqueville’s masterpiece, Democracy in America, yet it will also draw upon the insights of Edmund Burke and Robert Nesbit. Topics of discussion will include: revolutionary violence, community norms, individual and natural rights, and religion as the basis of culture.