THE MAKING OF MODERN TIMES

Wednesday, August 27
1. The Modern Nation-State

Today's Assumption: The Nation-State can be a common denominator that links different peoples together. But not all states are nation-states.  And not all people want to come together.

Friday, August 29
2. Discusssion Section

Discussion #1: Who really belongs in the United States? How do you decide?

Samuel Huntington: “The Hispanic Challenge,” Foreign Policy.

PRINT AND READ:
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Emma Lazarus:  America's Statue of Liberty
See the original HERE 

Joe Matthews: “Switch to Español”

Britt Craig: "Border Stories"

ESSAY ASSIGNMENT: "You have invited Emma Lazarus and Samuel Huntington to your home for dinner. Will they get along?”  For details about this assignment go HERE

Monday, September 1
3. Modernity is Us

Today’s Assumption:  We are all Modern. But what do we mean by "we"? Can anyone or any society be totally modern?

Scruton:  The West and the Rest, pp. vii-xi, and chapter 1.

Wednesday, September 3
4. Liberalism is Us

Today’s Assumption: Liberalism is one form of modernity. But it is not the only one.

John Stuart Mill:  Selections from On Liberty (Reader)
If you like, you can read On Liberty in its entirety HERE

Listen to Frank Zappa talk about freedom of speech HERE
Do you agree?

Friday, September 5
5. Discussion Section

Discussion #2: Why are we all Liberals?

Read and reflect upon the following controversy. How would Mill recommend that we handle it? Note:  Doing nothing is the same thing as doing something.

The Ward Churchill Controversy:  Three statements, including the infamous "Some People Push Back: On the Justice of Roosting Chickens" (Reader)

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