America at 250: Telling the Story and Reading the Founding Documents
“Young man, what we meant in going for those Redcoats was this: we always had been free, and we meant to be free always. They didn’t mean we should.” – Captain Levin Preston, 91-year-old veteran of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, in an 1843 interview with a Dartmouth College student.
Two quarter-credit courses (combined for a half-credit if you take both), AY 2025-2026, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America with critical thinking, reading, and civil dialogue.
Join this experiment in rhetorical-poetical and historical exploration of America’s founding: Take one or both courses: Fall Semester “Telling the Story” and Spring Semester “Reading the Founding Documents.” 45 minutes of discussion each week; short reflection papers based on readings; grade based on participation.
Taught by Rev. Prof. Paul Siewers. His multi-disciplinary approach reflects his background: Ph.D. in Literature, B.A. and M.A. in History, Master’s in Journalism, former research fellow at Princeton’s Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, undergraduate student of Gordon Wood (a foremost scholar of early America); and descendant of a participant in the “shot heard round the world” at the Battle of Lexington: https://www.pbs.org/video/the-american-revolution-the-first-shot-first-look/
Textbooks and snacks for discussion are provided free, thanks to support from the Bucknell alumni of the Open Discourse Coalition.
Be an active participant in America’s 250th: Study, debate, and take a deep dive into her origin in this unique one-time course offering.