The Spirit of 1776: Writings from the War of Independence - UChicago | Graham School
Source: https://graham.uchicago.edu/course/the-spirit-of-1776-writings-from-the-war-of-independence
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:32
The Spirit of 1776: Writings from the War of Independence - UChicago | Graham School
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Course - HUAS97033
The Spirit of 1776: Writings from the War of Independence
This course will engage in close reading and discussion of selected works from
The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence
, with a focus on the writings of women who played critical yet lesser known roles during the founding era.
View Available Sections
Deadline
June 9, 2026
Format
In-Person, Online
Tuition
$270
Next Start Date
June 17, 2026
Course Description
In this summer course, we will engage in close reading and discussion of selected works from
The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence
. We will focus on writings of women who played critical yet lesser known roles during the founding era.
A collection of letters, diaries, newspaper articles, public documents and private memoranda, this anthology offers readers profound insight into the “Spirit of 1776” through a literary panorama of original writings. In addition to famous leaders such as Paul Revere and George Washington, we will consider the crucial role of women in the war effort as chronicled in letters from Abigail Adams’s “Remember the Ladies,” Sarah Wister’s account of the Continental Army at Whitemarsh in 1777, and Anna Rawle’s account of victory celebrations in Philadelphia in 1781. We will also look closely at writings by Loyalists and British officers that provide provocative insight into the losing side of this momentous conflict. Join us for this literary overview of the Spirit of 1776!
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Required Texts
The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence
, The Library of America, ISBN: 1-883011-91-4
Available Course Sections
Date & Time
Details
Format
This has been so valuable to me. The instructors are truly committed; you make new friends and get new views. It’s been a real plus in my life.
Virginia Tobiason
CER’02 (Basic Program)
Guided by expert staff, and aided by students with a variety of experience and knowledge, I gained new understanding, opened myself to new points of view, and have grown intellectually.
Roberta Lee
CER’22
G
Armed with a foundation of the Classics, we can continue our intellectual journey, driven by our relentless curiosity and passion for lifelong learning.
George Perez
CER’24 (Basic Program)
M
Exploring great books and new ideas with like-minded students and engaging instructors is a great gift.
Martin J. Friedman
CER'20
What I love most about teaching at the Graham School is that it is like eating at the chef's table: there are no barriers between students and instructors. We are all peers, indeed, friends learning alongside each other.
Jennifer Lind
MLA’22, Graham School instructor
J
There’s nothing better than to read with a group of people and share in rational discourse about great ideas, and it’s even better to do it with an instructor as your guide in the conversation.
Jeffrey Dougherty
CER ’23 (Basic Program)
Frequently Asked Questions
Review common questions about our courses. You can also
contact us
for more information.
Do we take assessments in these courses?
Graham School non-credit courses are not graded and therefore have no tests. They focus on nourishing a love of learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in topics and discussions you find interesting.
How can I best prepare for class?
Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion. While not required, we offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works:
How to Read Classic Texts
. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their skills.
Do I have to complete an application?
Applications are not required for our open enrollment courses.
Who is best suited to take a course at the Graham School?
Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in these topics and engaging in deep discovery with others is welcome to take part in this course.
UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions?
Yes. Our non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors create an inclusive learning environment by encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their academic background.
What happens if I have to miss a class?
Our online classes are recorded and shared with the registered students through the Canvas site for the course. For in-person courses, you can ask a fellow student to take notes for you if you have to miss a session.
What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy?
You can find our withdrawal and cancellation policy with other registration issues
here
. Most drop or transfer requests can be made through your student account.
Will this course be offered online or in person?
The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course section specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.
What happens if I miss a class?
While our courses are driven by live discussions, we do record the online sessions. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording to catch up. Please note that students may only access recordings for the sections in which they are registered
. In-person classes are not recorded.
I can no longer participate in a course I registered for. Can I get a refund?
If you need to drop a course, please email us at
graham@learningplatform.support
to process your request. When reaching out, please include your full name, the course name and the section. If you made a donation during your course purchase, please confirm if you would like the donation refunded as well.
Courses dropped before the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. Courses dropped after the first class are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. No refund will be issued for courses dropped after the first week of classes.
How do I access my course after registration?
Your course will be available on the Graham Learning Platform three weeks before the start date.
You’ll
log in using the same credentials you used during registration. If you need help accessing your course, check out
our
helpful
video tutorial
.
I have a question about the course registration process, who should I reach out to?
If you have a question about how to register for a course, watch the helpful videos on our
registration tips page
. You can also email our support team at
graham@learningplatform.support
. You will receive a response within 24 hours.
Related Courses
View Courses
In-Person • Online
Autumn
Basic Program Year 1 Autumn
In-Person
Summer II
Fiction in the Geopolitics Classroom: Graham Greene’s The Quiet American, Graham School Class in Paris
Jennifer A. Lind
In-Person
Spring
High Classical Athens
Kendall Sharp
Questions about the Graham School? Get in touch.
Contact Us
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Your Shopping Cart
Enroll Now
We use
cookies
to enhance your experience on our site.
Skip to main content
Course - HUAS97033
The Spirit of 1776: Writings from the War of Independence
This course will engage in close reading and discussion of selected works from
The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence
, with a focus on the writings of women who played critical yet lesser known roles during the founding era.
View Available Sections
Deadline
June 9, 2026
Format
In-Person, Online
Tuition
$270
Next Start Date
June 17, 2026
Course Description
In this summer course, we will engage in close reading and discussion of selected works from
The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence
. We will focus on writings of women who played critical yet lesser known roles during the founding era.
A collection of letters, diaries, newspaper articles, public documents and private memoranda, this anthology offers readers profound insight into the “Spirit of 1776” through a literary panorama of original writings. In addition to famous leaders such as Paul Revere and George Washington, we will consider the crucial role of women in the war effort as chronicled in letters from Abigail Adams’s “Remember the Ladies,” Sarah Wister’s account of the Continental Army at Whitemarsh in 1777, and Anna Rawle’s account of victory celebrations in Philadelphia in 1781. We will also look closely at writings by Loyalists and British officers that provide provocative insight into the losing side of this momentous conflict. Join us for this literary overview of the Spirit of 1776!
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Required Texts
The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence
, The Library of America, ISBN: 1-883011-91-4
Available Course Sections
Date & Time
Details
Format
This has been so valuable to me. The instructors are truly committed; you make new friends and get new views. It’s been a real plus in my life.
Virginia Tobiason
CER’02 (Basic Program)
Guided by expert staff, and aided by students with a variety of experience and knowledge, I gained new understanding, opened myself to new points of view, and have grown intellectually.
Roberta Lee
CER’22
G
Armed with a foundation of the Classics, we can continue our intellectual journey, driven by our relentless curiosity and passion for lifelong learning.
George Perez
CER’24 (Basic Program)
M
Exploring great books and new ideas with like-minded students and engaging instructors is a great gift.
Martin J. Friedman
CER'20
What I love most about teaching at the Graham School is that it is like eating at the chef's table: there are no barriers between students and instructors. We are all peers, indeed, friends learning alongside each other.
Jennifer Lind
MLA’22, Graham School instructor
J
There’s nothing better than to read with a group of people and share in rational discourse about great ideas, and it’s even better to do it with an instructor as your guide in the conversation.
Jeffrey Dougherty
CER ’23 (Basic Program)
Frequently Asked Questions
Review common questions about our courses. You can also
contact us
for more information.
Do we take assessments in these courses?
Graham School non-credit courses are not graded and therefore have no tests. They focus on nourishing a love of learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in topics and discussions you find interesting.
How can I best prepare for class?
Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion. While not required, we offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works:
How to Read Classic Texts
. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their skills.
Do I have to complete an application?
Applications are not required for our open enrollment courses.
Who is best suited to take a course at the Graham School?
Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in these topics and engaging in deep discovery with others is welcome to take part in this course.
UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions?
Yes. Our non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors create an inclusive learning environment by encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their academic background.
What happens if I have to miss a class?
Our online classes are recorded and shared with the registered students through the Canvas site for the course. For in-person courses, you can ask a fellow student to take notes for you if you have to miss a session.
What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy?
You can find our withdrawal and cancellation policy with other registration issues
here
. Most drop or transfer requests can be made through your student account.
Will this course be offered online or in person?
The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course section specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.
What happens if I miss a class?
While our courses are driven by live discussions, we do record the online sessions. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording to catch up. Please note that students may only access recordings for the sections in which they are registered
. In-person classes are not recorded.
I can no longer participate in a course I registered for. Can I get a refund?
If you need to drop a course, please email us at
graham@learningplatform.support
to process your request. When reaching out, please include your full name, the course name and the section. If you made a donation during your course purchase, please confirm if you would like the donation refunded as well.
Courses dropped before the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. Courses dropped after the first class are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. No refund will be issued for courses dropped after the first week of classes.
How do I access my course after registration?
Your course will be available on the Graham Learning Platform three weeks before the start date.
You’ll
log in using the same credentials you used during registration. If you need help accessing your course, check out
our
helpful
video tutorial
.
I have a question about the course registration process, who should I reach out to?
If you have a question about how to register for a course, watch the helpful videos on our
registration tips page
. You can also email our support team at
graham@learningplatform.support
. You will receive a response within 24 hours.
Related Courses
View Courses
In-Person • Online
Autumn
Basic Program Year 1 Autumn
In-Person
Summer II
Fiction in the Geopolitics Classroom: Graham Greene’s The Quiet American, Graham School Class in Paris
Jennifer A. Lind
In-Person
Spring
High Classical Athens
Kendall Sharp
Questions about the Graham School? Get in touch.
Contact Us
This is the search overlay. Use the Escape key to close it.
Your Shopping Cart
Enroll Now