The Declaration of Independence and American Literature

Join Professor Tom Couser for a lecture on the Declaration of Independence and its connection to American literature from the Puritans to today. Together, we will consider what it means for a document to be a declaration, why this one may fall short, and how it compensates by drawing on Old Testament narrative patterns that continue to shape American culture, inviting discussion and debate.

G. Thomas Couser earned his Ph.D. in American Studies from Brown University in 1977. He taught at Connecticut College (1976–1982) and later at Hofstra University, where he retired in 2011 as Professor Emeritus of English and Founding Director of the Disability Studies Program.