Thomas Paine wrote “These are the times that try men’s souls” after The Declaration of Independence in 1776 led to invasion and civil strife. Four score and seven years later in 1863 Lincoln honored “those who have given their last full measure of devotion” to preserve the Union. 87 years later in 1941 we were in a global war against totalitarianism to preserve democracy.

Now with the seemingly irreconcilable differences dividing America today we are on target for the next crisis, scheduled for 2028. While the 87-year cycle may be coincidence, it could be related to the time it takes for a crisis to pass beyond the living memory of the current generation and its lessons to be lost.

Our nation was an experiment that grew out of the rational philosophy of the Enlightenment. In this course we will examine how and to what extent our national crises arise when this founding idea conflicts with America’s original sins: racism and sexism. We will examine these surprisingly similar American crises through a historical and sociological lens and ask what we can learn from each that can give insight into what is required of us today.

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About the Instructor

John is retired from teaching Human Development and Family Studies at Pennsylvania State University. He earned a Ph.D. in Administration and Leadership Studies for Nonprofits at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2010. John “fully” retired and relocated to Olympia in 2019 but continues to be involved in a variety of volunteer activities.

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