Give
Search

Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom

WHAT WE DO

The Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom is dedicated to the academic and open-minded exploration of the principles and many facets of American Freedom.

  1. Home
  2. Departmental Directory
  3. Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom

Learning and Leading in Freedom Studies

Welcome to The Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom! The center is named in honor of the United States’ founding document, The Declaration of Independence, which constitutes the nation as a political community and expresses fundamental principles of American freedom. 

Our Mission

The center is dedicated to providing students, faculty, and citizens throughout Mississippi with enriching opportunities to study and contemplate the nature of American Freedom. This mission is pursued in a number of ways: 

Become a Freedom Studies Scholar

Receive $2500 per semester, take specially designed courses, engage in discussions, attend lectures, travel to events, and access exclusive opportunities.

Upcoming Events

Check here for events hosted by the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom.

Meet the Director

Steven Skultety earned his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Montana in 1999. He went on to complete his Ph.D. at Northwestern University, successfully defending his dissertation in 2006. Steven joined the faculty at the University of Mississippi, where he became Associate Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion in 2012. He was promoted to Professor in 2020 and appointed Director of the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom in 2021.
Steven Skultety

Steven Skultety

  • Chair and Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom

Our Academic Programs

The Minor in Freedom Studies is housed in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi and satisfies the B.A. minor requirement in the College of Liberal Arts, and it can serve as an optional minor for other degrees.

UG

Freedom Studies, Minor

Investigate and explore the tradition of American liberty.

  • Oxford

Help Support the Declaration of Independence Center

The Declaration Center supports a large number of exciting activities and programs.  We teach unique Freedom Studies classes, provide student Scholarships, work to link talented students to opportunities and internships, and host public lectures and other community events.  All of these require resources and we could use your support!  

If you would like to help, please consider making a tax deductible donation through the University of Mississippi Foundation. Be sure to indicate that you would like your support to go to the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom.

Specific questions about how you could best help promote our mission should be directed to Steven Skultety, director of the Declaration Center.

Give Now

America's Founding Documents

Upcoming Events

  • Thursday, October 16 | 4:30 - 6 p.m.

    Ed Corrigan, President of the Conservative Partnership Institute, Washington D.C. will be speaking on,"The Conservative Movement Yesterday and Today"

    Downstairs of Tom Beckbe

  • Monday, October 20 | 4:30 - 6 p.m.

    Against Mediocrity: A Three-Part Lecture Series: Professor Steven Hayward, Lecture 1: "C.S. Lewis and Human Rights: A Second Look at The Abolition of Man."

    Downstairs of Tom Beckbe

  • Tuesday, October 21 | 4:30 - 6 p.m.

    Professor Steven Hayward, Lecture 2: "From Max Weber to Charlie Kirk: Revisiting 'Politics as a Vocation' on Individual Action in Extreme Times."

    Downstairs of Tom Beckbe

  • Thursday, October 23 | 4:30 - 6 p.m.

    Professor Steven Hayward, Lecture 3: "Securing Democracy: Lessons from . . . the French??"

    Downstairs of Tom Beckbe