{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Dr. Matthew Spalding on Teaching the American Founding after 250 Years","description":"How have we allowed such a daring story as the American founding to become so flat? A history lesson so simple, tidy, and inevitable that it can be covered in one day\u2019s class? Dr. Matthew Spalding, dean of Hillsdale\u2019s Van Andel Graduate School of Government, wants to revive the living story of the American founding\u2014and the Declaration of Independence, in particular. Calling it our nation\u2019s \u201cepic poem,\u201d he sees in this document as a layered poetic, philosophical, and practical work of the American Mind. This week on HeightsCast, Dr. Spalding invites educators (and everyday citizens) to understand our nation\u2019s founding as so much more than just \u201can Enlightenment experiment.\u201d Chapters: 00:03:04 \u201cThe American Mind\u201d in 1776 00:08:36 A better definition of patriotism 00:10:57 Declaration of Independence: our epic poem 00:14:43 How and why we teach history 00:16:36 Founding influences: more than the Enlightenment 00:21:46 The American synthesis 00:26:40 \u201cPursuit of happiness\u201d in context 00:29:22 Why the founding narrative is mistold 00:38:06 New surprises in old studies 00:41:32 Finding common ground today Links: Dr. Matthew Spalding, Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government, Hillsdale College The Making of the American Mind: The Story of Our Declaration of Independence by Matthew Spalding We Still Hold These Truths: Rediscovering Our Principles, Reclaiming Our Future by Matthew Spalding The Founders\u2019 Almanac: A Practical Guide to the Notable Events, Greatest Leaders, and Most Eloquent Words of the American Founding by Matthew Spalding Also on the Forum: On the Importance of History, Part I featuring Dr. Matthew Spalding Why Arguments Make History by Mark Grannis Keeping the Story in History by Mark Grannis Featured Opportunities: Parents\u2019 Conference at The Heights School (April 25, 2026) Teaching Essentials Workshop at The Heights School (June 22-26, 2026) ","author_name":"HeightsCast: Forming Men Fully Alive","author_url":"https:\/\/heights.edu\/heightscast\/","html":"