The documentary-style course examines how the experiences of the American colonists shaped America’s character and habits of self-government.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College has launched a new documentary series, “Colonial America: From Wilderness to Civilization.” The documentary-style online course, which is being released November 6-24, examines how the experiences of the American colonists shaped America’s character and habits of self-government.
“The republic founded in the wake of American Revolution did not appear nor succeed by chance,” said Jeremiah Regan, executive director of online learning. “It was the product of the habits of self-government and the virtuous character that the Americans had formed during their colonial experience — those first 150 years during which they carved civilization out of wilderness.”
The documentary examines the religious, political, cultural, and economic disputes — as well as the struggle for survival — that shaped an American way of life and forged the American character, preparing the colonists to fight the revolution and establish a government that would protect their natural rights.
“They believed we should be like a city on a hill, separate from the old world,” said Professor of History Wilfred McClay. “People were willing to die for this free and independent land.”
The documentary consists of six episodes featuring Hillsdale College history and politics faculty:
- A City Upon a Hill
- Forging the American Character
- Nature and Liberty
- Frontier Wars
- Awakening a People
- The French and Indian War
Hillsdale will host a screening of the first episode at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, in Plaster Auditorium. A Q&A panel and reception will immediately follow the screening. The event is free, and all are welcome to attend.
To watch the trailer and register for the course, click here. For photos from the course, click here. For photos of Hillsdale College, click here. For a high-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo, click her.
About Hillsdale College Online Courses
Hillsdale College’s free, not-for-credit online courses feature lectures from the College’s faculty members across various disciplines, including politics, history, economics, religion, and literature. More than 2.1 million students have enrolled in an online course with Hillsdale College. For more information on Hillsdale College’s online courses, visit online.hillsdale.edu.