Study Solutions

The course Development of the American Experience focuses on the historical context that informs the conceptual development of the 1787 Federal Constitution and does so by taking students through the intricate pieces of Western political philosophy. In this context, the writings under examination constitute potential working texts that students engage on and their purpose in relation to these texts is to find meaning and to write about them without any prior information on them. This course segment will allow students to gain insights towards the philosophical schooling that served towards American political evolution and constitution formation.

Learn more here.

Also read Revolutionary Constitutions reading quiz solution.

Course Content for Development of the American Experience

In Development of the American Experience Students will study the theoretical evolution of fundamental ideas that ultimately resulted in the unique American constitutional and political system. The readings are, therefore, treated as philosophical discourses as well as historical texts and, thereby, create a two-prong lens with which to comprehend them. This bifocal approach affords students an appreciation of the historiography in which the concepts were developed and an ability to assess the philosophers’ discourse critically.

The course Development of the American Experience begins with a discussion of the political ideas of the ancients and the medieval periods in order to make sense of the subsequent evolution of political philosophy in the West. Works of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas and a number of others will be evaluated in an attempt to understand the initial concepts of justice, politics and the inceptive role of an individual in society. These texts served as a preamble for developing further political ideologies that were observed and exercised during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods.

Enlightenment writers, among them Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, are included in the subsequent syllabus. Their ideas shaped the views of the framers of the Constitution of the United States, while topics of natural rights, social contract and principle of separation of powers are also key to comprehending the US political order. Such close reading and analysis of these texts will help students construct a thorough and particular political philosophy of the American Constitution.

The course educates students about the Federalist Papers, which the Constitution’s founders wrote to ratify the new constitution. These essays demonstrate the debates that led to the creation of the essays. Students will read the Federalist papers, reflect upon them, and see how they connect with present-day politics.

Learning Approach for Development of the American Experience

In the entirety of the course and even in polishing of existing work students will be engaging with a variety of thinking processes. These include evaluating and engaging with western philosophy’s sparse yet dense conceptual vocabulary, diligently trying to trace where contemporary American civic culture stems from, as well as attempting to grasp and comprehend the various American texts that were historically challenging at times in contexts.

‘Close reading’ is the ability to properly engage with any text by comprehending the type of language used in the text, its overarching arguments alongside the internal structure of it. This skill is paramount if one is trying to comprehend political or social problems as they allow one to determine essential ideas, appraise the worth of presented ideas and work out their real-life consequences.

Critical thinking is one of the main elements of this course. It should be clear by now that philosophy is not merely an academic discipline that is contained in a few musty books. Students will also be invited to think for themselves which texts mean to them, and they will be urged to look at the same issue from different perspectives. This process, however, requires not simply understanding the philosophers’ positions, but also assessing the relevance of the arguments to contemporary issues. This kind of critical engagement which incorporates reasoning and analysis encompasses effort and skill development in students, such as to solve problems which are not straightforward.

Expressing oneself in a coherent manner is important in order to be able to convey the ideas one has. During the course, essays and class participation, including oral presentations, will be expected of students in order to show that they understand the texts and that they can interpret them. Assignments will be directed toward the writing of arguments that are articulate, well-organized, and supported by the assigned readings. In-class activities offer students a chance to practice how to present their ideas verbally and to debate issues among themselves.

Learning Goals for

1. Proficiency in Reading complex texts: The students will learn how to read and construe difficult philosophical writings thereby improving their analytical skills. This skill will also help them in the future to tackle a variety of other texts in their academic and professional life more effectively, thus ensuring that they develop an appreciation for philosophy and political thought.
2. Conceptual Vocabulary Mastery: This course will enhance students’ knowledge of Western philosophy with special emphasis on the American civic culture. Students will become proficient with concepts such as natural rights, the social contract, the separation of powers, among others, and learn how to utilize such concepts when analyzing contemporary political questions.
3. Professional Writing Skills: Students will attempt to improve their writing mechanics so as to learn how to integrate evidence and analysis in one seamless thought. This skill is vital for both academic and professional success since effective communication is paramount.
4. Historical Contextualization: Students will learn about the historical background of the philosophical ideas by which students will be able to appreciate the significance of such ideas in today’s political and social issues in addition to serving as a basis for advanced learning in history, political science and related disciplines.
5. Critical Analysis: Students will emphasise capacity building in critically analyzing philosophical arguments as well as examining such arguments within the frame of reference of contemporary problems. This skill is essential for citizenship practice as well as for participating in constructive political and social discussions.
6. Engagement with Primary Texts: Students will engage with primary texts, developing the ability to interpret and analyze original sources. This engagement will provide a deeper understanding of the philosophical ideas in the texts, and an appreciation for the richness and complexity of the texts.

Development of the American Experience Course Structure

The course has a definite structure of readings and lectures followed by class discussions. Students are expected to engage in a critical reading of the assigned texts and to be ready to discuss them in detail with their peers. The lectures will serve to orient the students to the main ideas and concepts of the assigned readings. Opportunities for classroom discussion will allow students to ask questions and provide interpretations of the concepts discussed.

The students will also be expected to write on the assigned topics and submit their papers to the lecturer at set intervals. The topics will vary in nature and scope such as short essays responses, seminar papers and longer essays. This is to ensure that students improve their writing skills and learn how to logically present ideas and theses throughout the course when analyzing the set texts.

In this course, there will be a midterm and a final examination which would assess what the students have been able to understand with concerns to the material as well as whether the students are able to use the concepts and arguments in other contexts. The examinations will consist of a blend of multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions aimed to examine the students’ knowledge as well as their ability to analyze the material.There will be midterms and final exams which will cover all the concepts tested during the course. There will be a variety of essay questions mixed with multiple choice and short answers to test on critical thinking and comprehension of the students.

This course deepens the knowledge of not only American political philosophy but touches on the philosophies expressed and their perspective in the American constitution, with the capability of expressing precisely the insights gained from the undertaking of the course. This course will be fundamental for any individual who wishes to improve on their writing skills and critical thinking ability with respect to the American political framework.

The interdisciplinary political concept course is a deep dive into the student’s imagination focused into the “Development of the American Experience” alongside critical reading and engagement enabling the student unlock a new level of understanding of political thoughts and culture, enabling students to learn how to articulate their own interpretations. This American civics course does not only equip students with knowledge the American customs but also allows them to become active participants of the culture.

Additional Resources

Resources Additional context can improve students’ grasp of the content, and thus it is recommended that students consult secondary sources, academic journals, and databases for this purpose. The theories and historical occurrences that form the foundation of the course can be better understood with the help of these. Secondary Literature: Contemporary scholars write other works that help accurately position the scope and context of the readings, including philosophical. One is encouraged to search in such eminent scholars as Gordon Wood, Bernard Bailyn, Hannah Arendt, and many others.

Online Databases: Websites and online databases such as JSTOR, Project MUSE, and others enhance this accessibility by offering numerous academic articles and journals. These databases can be useful to find more materials and aid in writing assignments. Academic Journals: Some reputable journals, including American Political Science Review, Journal of the History of Ideas, and Political Theory, are just some of the many that have published articles. All these journals provide the more extensive topics of research than just American political thought and political philosophy. These journals will assist students in accomplishing the specified tasks and remaining updated on the state of the subject at hand.

Library Resources: All enrolled students are provided access to a selection of books, journals and other online resources as the university library has diverse material to offer. Moreover, librarians can help students in locating and accessing required materials, can assist in research methods and utilization of citation tools.

Writing Center: The university has writing centers to assist students in writing related tasks. Included in this is assistance with drafts, arguments and the mechanics and formatting of writing.

Discussion Groups: Students who partake in discussion groups with their classmates often enhance their understanding of the course readings. As members of such groups have a chance to compare their interpretations, pose questions and examine the texts from multiple angles.

Office Hours: It is advisable for students to utilize the instructor’s office time for seeking guidance about the assigned reading and the writing tasks. Office hours serve as a good time for students and the instructor to interact which is helpful in bettering the understanding of the course content.

Conclusion

The complete analysis of the philosophical basis of the American Constitution is presented in the course ‘The American Experience’. The close reading and critical thinking in addition to oral or written expression in a coherent manner will be facilitated in students to enable them to analyze and present philosophical texts. Any individual aspiring to gain insights in American political philosophy and seeking to strengthen their ability to think and write critically also finds this course beneficial.

This course helps students not only in commerce but covers a wider sphere comprehensively by the encouraging perspective of transforming them into better citizens of America by teaching them the radical elements of American politics and helping them to comprehend the broader ideas behind the constitution and the principles underlining it. By the end of the course, students can expect to communicate and express their thoughts in a comprehensible professional manner while also strengthening their insight towards the constitution of America.