Same as American Studies 370 (Topic 44) and Core Texts and Ideas 326T. Examines the foundational ideas and practices essential to the unfolding of American democracy by focusing on founding documents, public speeches, major political conflicts, and canonical texts of political philosophy. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: African and African Diaspora Studies 351D, 372F (Topic 15), American Studies 370 (Topic 44), Core Texts and Ideas 326 (Topic 2), 326T. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.