One way citizens of large republics are educated in the principles of government is through novels. With this in mind, this course examines selections from the work of Mark Twain. Not only is Twain America's most enduringly popular author, but his novels depict important aspects of the American character and have much to say about such themes as equality, slavery, freedom, modern science, Christianity, and democratic leadership, all of which are crucial for understanding American history and politics. Our main texts will be Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court; if time permits, we will also consider The Adventures of Tom Sawyer or The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson.
Instructor: David Foster is Associate Professor of Political Science and Chairman of the Department of History and Political Science at Ashland University.