Engage in a Week of Civic Virtue
This August, spend a week on UChicago’s Hyde Park campus to explore big ideas and lively conversations with fellow Graham students.
Two and a half centuries after its founding, America remains a distinctive and evolving experiment in self-government, shaped by debate, revision, and disagreement. Reaching this milestone offers an opportunity to take stock and consider what has endured, what has changed, and what remains unresolved.
Through the lenses of history, literature, philosophy, and political thought, Graham’s America at 250 offerings bring together a year of programs, courses, and events that engage this anniversary with seriousness and curiosity. These offerings celebrate the richness of the American experiment while also examining the tensions and challenges that have defined it from the start.
Spotlight Programs
Visit Revolutionary War Sites
Celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary by visiting legendary Revolutionary War sites in New Jersey.
The United States at its founding was a novel experiment in government. Studying this moment gives us the chance to ask how that experiment has changed, what values shaped it, and whether those values still guide us today.
Zoë Eisenman Director of Academics, Graham School
America 250 is not just a celebration, but also an opportunity to reflect on the daunting challenges that our founders overcame with grace and perseverance. We should embrace every opportunity to learn from them.
Barbara Stewart Former Chief Executive Officer, AmeriCorps; Distinguished Mentor, University of Chicago Leadership and Society Initiative
Non-Credit Courses
Throughout the year, Graham will offer courses that invite participation in the America at 250 conversation. You will have opportunities to take a deep dive into the texts that shaped America’s founding, and to reflect on concepts such as freedom, equality, citizenship, and national identity as they have been understood and reimagined over time.
The Wars of America: The Revolution, 1775-1783
Fred Beuttler
The Spirit of 1776: Writings from the War of Independence
Jennifer A. Lind
Re-Reading the Declaration of Independence
Clinton Stockwell
Emerson’s Transcendentalism: Foundational Essays & Talks
Clare Pearson
Events
Graham will also host a series of events connected to America at 250. These will offer opportunities to explore key questions raised by the anniversary in a shared setting.
May
14
Sewell Chan on The Past, Present, and Future of Journalism
Gleacher Center
From the collapse of local news to rising threats to press freedom, journalist Sewell Chan draws on two decades at America’s leading newsrooms to explore the past, present, and future of journalism and its essential role in democracy.
May
21
A Conversation with David Rubenstein
Livestream
Join us for a fireside conversation with David Rubenstein on how civic values, historical memory, and national institutions shape American life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the Graham School’s America at 250 offerings.
Do I need a background in history or politics to participate in America at 250 offerings?
No. America at 250 offerings are designed for adult learners from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. Courses encourage students to draw on their own experiences while engaging thoughtfully with historical texts, ideas, and debates.
How can I prepare for classroom discussions of Great Books?
Our open enrollment courses are intended for students at a variety of different levels. You will be encouraged to apply your unique perspective as you read these texts and engage with your peers. We offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works: How to Read Classic Texts. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their close reading and discussion skills.
UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate?
Yes. All of these offerings are designed for adults who are curious, thoughtful, and engaged. Instructors foster an inclusive and collegial classroom environment and encourage participation from all students, regardless of prior academic experience.
What is the classroom experience like?
Most courses are taught in a discussion-based seminar format. Students engage in guided conversation with a small group of peers and an instructor, examining key texts and ideas through multiple perspectives.
Are these offerings online or in person?
America at 250 programs include online, in-person, and travel study options. Each course or program listing specifies its format and location.
Do I need to apply to participate?
Most America at 250 offerings are open enrollment and do not require an application. Program-specific requirements, such as those for travel study or Summer School, are outlined on individual program pages.
Can I take just one course, or do I need to commit to the full year?
Students may participate in as many or as few America at 250 offerings as they choose. Each course or program stands on its own while contributing to the larger year-long conversation.