Classical America - Research Topics

Fall 2009

Topic and Term Paper Outline (2 copies, 2 pages, typed)
Outline Due: Friday, November 13th
Term Paper Due (tentative date): December 9th

 Some Suggested Topics:
 

1. John Adams and the Classics

2. The Classical Tradition in the Letters of John and Abigail
    Adams

3. Thomas Jefferson and the Classics

4. Thomas Jefferson and Classical Education

5. The Classical Tradition in the Retirement Correspondence of
     Jefferson and Adams

  6. Thomas Jefferson's Influence on Classically Inspired
     American    Civic Architecture -
   a.Virginia State Capitol
   b.Washington, D.C.
7. James Madison and the Classics

8. James Madison, Ancient History and the Federalist Papers

9. Benjamin Franklin: Was He Pro or Con the Classics?

10. Classical Themes in Early American Drama

11. Classical Motifs in the Architecture of Washington, D.C.

12. Horatio Greenough--America's First Neo-Classical Sculptor

13. Benjamin West or John Trumbull and the Neo-Classical
       Tradition

14. Peter Harrison of Newport--A Classical Architect?

15. The Classical (Federal) Architecture of Salem, (MA)

16. The Classical Architecture of Sturbridge Village (MA)

17. George Wythe: Early American Classical Lawyer

18. Classical Rhetoric in 18th Century America
            a. Patrick Henry
              b.  Dr. Joseph Warren

19. Classical architecture in your local community:

            a. Boston
            b. Philadelphia
            c. Charleston, S.C.: Its History and Buildings
                + Drayton Hall
            d. Williamsburg - Historic Buildings
                Also: Wren Bldg - College of William & Mary
            e. Old Wethersfield, Connecticut
            f.  Portsmouth, N.H.
           g. Grafton, MA
       h. Virginia:
         Stratford Hall
 

20. Thomas Jefferson's Classical Academical Village (The
        University Virginia)
            a. The Lawn
            b. The Rotunda

21. The President's (Classical) House

22. Dr. Benjamin Rush - A Nemesis to the Classical Tradition?

23. George Mason:
        a. Classicist and Author of Political Freedom
        b. His Classical Home - Gunston Hall

24. Thomas Jefferson's Domestic Classical Architecture:
        a. Monticello
        b. Poplar Forest

25. Others  - as per discussion with course instructor