The first part of this institute will examine colonial America and the causes of the revolution.We will study the organization of the colonial governments and the changing relationship between the colonies and Great Britain. Using the writings of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Otis, Richard Bland, John Dickinson, Daniel Leonard and Thomas Paine, among others, we will consider the arguments for and against declaring American independence.

The second part of this institute will examine the constitutional convention and the founding of the nation.We will read The Federalist, the writings of the Anti- Federalists, Madison’s Notes of the Debates of the Federal Convention of 1787 and additional documents from the founding period to explore the political principles and arguments that shaped the American founding.

In addition to other writings of the founders, the two primary texts will be Jack P. Greene’s Colonies to Nation, 1763-1789: A Documentary History of the American Revolution and Philip B. Kurland and Ralph Lerner’s edited collection, The Founders’ Constitution.

Faculty: Christopher Flannery is Professor and Chair of the Department of History and Political Science at Azusa Pacific University. He has published widely on the Federalist Papers, John Dickinson, and George Washington. Gordon Lloyd is Professor of Public Policy at Pepperdine University. He has numerous publications to his credit, including the books The Essential Antifederalist and The Essential Bill of Rights: Original Arguments and Fundamental Documents.

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