Madison Youth Project

Distance Learning Program As part of its mission to raise-up a generation of youth who are well grounded in America’s founding freedoms, the Madison Youth Project will launch three distance learning courses in January 2008. We expect to expand the online courses in January 2009, and at that time plan to launch the “Madison Youth Academy.” One online course is included in the membership fee for each student member of the Madison Youth Project.

(1) “The Elements of Freedom,” will give students a solid understanding of the critical role these freedoms play in strengthening society and sustaining our democracy. The American Founding Fathers established a firm foundation of liberty that continues to impact ideas and events around the world even today. How did the Founding Fathers develop their notion of liberty? This course will examine the Biblical and historical influences--from ancient Jerusalem and Athens to Magna Carta and the Mayflower Compact--that shaped the thinking of this profound generation. Dr. Robert D. Stacey will teach this course. Dr. Stacey is Associate Professor in Regent University’s Robertson School of Government. Dr. Stacey previously served as Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Government at Patrick Henry College where he taught the college’s flagship course, Freedom’s Foundations. Dr. Stacey received his B.A. in Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania in 1991 and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Government at the University of Virginia, completing in 1998. He and his wife, Sherry, have three children and currently reside in Winchester, Virginia.

(2) “Founding Fathers and Founding Documents” will give students a thorough understanding of the founding of this great nation. What did the Founders believe about man, nature, God, & Government? This course in American Political Thought will explore what the Founding Fathers believed in their own words. By examining the primary documents we will discover why the grounding of America begins with a proper understanding of the "Laws of Nature and Nature's God." Dr. Erik S. Root will teach this course. Having earned his PhD at Claremont, Erik has recently served as a Morris Fellow for the John Locke Foundation in North Carolina. Erik is now Assistant Professor at West Liberty State College in West Virginia.