What does it mean for a people to be free? In America, we often think of freedom as an absence of barriers, believing we are free when nothing stops us from doing or thinking as we please. But what if freedom also requires certain things to be present? Can we be free without civic institutions that help us feel safe, infrastructure that allows us to move around, or places of learning that inspire us to imagine and dream? In this course, we will explore the nature of freedom and the institutions, values, and habits that support it.

Though it is not required, participants may find it helpful to familiarize themselves with On Freedom by Timothy Snyder, which will serve as the course’s foundation.

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