This course examines the foundations of the United States Constitution, American political culture, and the dynamics of American politics. Along the way, special focus will be placed on the meaning of freedom in the United States. Space is limited to 12 promising students to ensure a seminar learning experience with extensive discussion and dialogue of the assigned texts and concepts. Many prominent guest speakers will join Professor Prud’homme in instructing this course, including Tom West of Hillsdale College, among others.

  • How long is the course?
    • The course is a 15-week course, with one week for Spring break. It will run from Tuesday, January 24th, 2023, to Thursday, May 11th, 2023. The course will meet online/virtually every Tuesday and Thursday from 7-8 pm EST. There will be 28 sessions in total.
  • Is this a for-credit course?
    • Upon completion of this course, students will earn 4 college credits from Washington College, transferrable to the college of their choice (to be verified and accepted by that college upon acceptance and enrollment).
  • Who should apply?
    • High school juniors and seniors.
  • How much does it cost?
    • The total cost of the course is $2000. Upon acceptance to the course, students will receive a $250 scholarship from ISI, and another $250 scholarship from Washington College, bringing the final cost down to $1,500 per student.
  • What is the platform for the course?
    • Washington College uses Canvas as its course platform.
  • What are the assigned texts, where do I get them, and how much will they cost?
    • Accepted and enrolled students will receive complimentary copies of the following foundational texts:
      • The Constitution of the United States of America
      • Madison’s Notes on the Constitutional Debates
      • The Federalist Papers
      • The Writings of the Antifederalists
      • The Collected Speeches of Abraham Lincoln
      • The Collected Writings and Speeches of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
  • The course will total at least 45 classroom hours, as students will have individualized tutorials in the Oxford mode/style with Professor Prud’homme in addition to regular course meetings.