This study group will discuss the ideas in “American Dialogue: The Founders and Us”, by Joseph J. Ellis. Ellis positions our contemporary debates on race, income inequality, jurisprudence, and foreign policy in their historical context through dialogue with four founders—Jefferson, Adams, Madison, and Washington.

Following Ellis, the study group will engage in its own American dialogue between then and now, enabling an interactive process through which we can frame current issues in light of their historical origins and see our founders through a modern lens. The book will be available at Literati Bookstore. Additional readings to be supplied.

This study group for those 50 and over will be led by instructors John Roundtree and Larry Berlin and will meet for two hours on Wednesdays, from September 25 through November 6, (no class on October 9).