Academics in many disciplines and on many levels sprinkle their lectures with comments prefaced by, "Over 100 years ago, Alexis de Tocqueville said ... " He stands as both an example of careful social science to prediction and the potential fallibility of that task.

C-SPAN's Series
Both C-SPAN and social commentators see Tocqueville as a vehicle for helping us interpret the challenges and opportunities of democratic principles and procedures in the 21st century.

C-SPAN followed Tocqueville's nine-month journey through America beginning in May 1997. Along the way, C-SPAN visited the places and interviewed the kinds of people with whom Tocqueville spoke. Tocqueville's key themes of liberty, equality, potential tyranny of the majority, social mores and the like are just as relevant concerns today as they were in the 1830s.

As academics, we met in August 1996 to explore ways in which Tocqueville might be used to enhance our classes. Some of us were already "teaching Tocqueville," others only made passing references, while still others came with an open mind that Tocqueville might be a vehicle for more effectively imparting concepts and analytical skills relevant to courses where Tocqueville would not normally even be mentioned.

Teachers can purchase segments from C-SPAN's Tocqueville series by visiting the C-SPAN Archive online or contacting an Archive representative at (877) 662-7726.

Teaching Modules
The teaching modules provided online are the results of our efforts. They are designed less as a step-by-step teaching package than as examples created to get your creative juices flowing. You are welcome, and in fact encouraged, to adapt them to your own teaching goals and approaches.

Modules are grouped in the text by general themes, but it is important to note that many modules involve a number of different categories. Since we view teaching and learning as active tasks, required actions on the part of the student are highlighted in the modules through capitalization. Primary responsibility for various modules is indicated, but the ideas of each set of authors were enhanced by discussions of the entire group and contributions by C-SPAN staff.

Return to Tocqueville Teaching Modules