September+21+11

Freedom... What is it?
 * As the Bell Rings...** media type="custom" key="10508440"

Using a few of your definitions of freedom as a starter, lets consider how difficult freedom is to explain. If something is this hard to explain, how much more difficult is it to implement it within a society. Here's a question: is freedom/liberty in conflict with responsibility? Why? How would the British government have defined freedom in 1775? How would that have compared with the American colonists' definition in 1775/1776?
 * What We Did In Class**

Let's take another look at the [|Declaration of Independence] (use your paper copy, if possible). With a partner (1+3, 2+4) determine the most important issues contained within the document and compare them to “freedom” as we have loosely defined it on the board. Record these things to share with your tables and then to the whole class. Can we as a class construct a more perfect definition of freedom? Let's try.. Now, revisit your definition of freedom and add a reply to your own post reflecting on what's changed.
 * Are freedom and civic order inherently in conflict?
 * What constraints on freedom, if any, are necessary?
 * What contemporary issue or problem poses the greatest threat to freedom?
 * How does the Declaration of Independence reflect the Founders’ sense of freedom in 1776?
 * How does that differ from today?

Next, please read the [|Natural Rights Philosophy]. Why isn't absolute freedom an option? Where in the Declaration of Independence do you see evidence of Locke's philosophy?

Throughout this course, you will be continually asked to reflect on the idea of Freedom and how its meaning has changed over time.
 * Before you go...**

Read one or both of the following:
 * Homework**
 * [|Articles of Confederation] from DigitalHistory
 * [|Articles of Confederation] from usconstitution.net

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