Professor Mackubin T. Owens traces the flow of antebellum history, up to the Civil War, examining the many changes and pushes for more change that characterized this period.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Sunday, June 20th, 7:15 pm-9:00 pm session; and select either the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
Older versions of this lecture, from newer to older, can be found here and here.
Professors Ronald J. Pestritto and Lance Robinson trace the development of political thought in the U.S., beginning with that suggested in the works and actions of the Founding Fathers and contrasting those views with those of later progressives.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session one, and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.
Dr. Raymond Wolters examines the life of W.E.B. Du Bois and his roles as both scholar and activist.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Tuesday, August fifth, guest lecture; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.
Professor David Forte looks at the U.S. Constitution and its interpretation, focusing on how Supreme Court Justices have interpreted it—and their own role in lawmaking—throughout U.S. history.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, July ninth, 7:30 pm guest lecture; and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.
Professor Ken Masugi examines the 1856 U.S. Supreme Court case Dred Scott v. Sandford, in which the slave Dred Scott argued that, as he had lived and worked in both a free state and a free territory, he was now legally free. The case was decided against Scott, ruling that no African American could be a citizen and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the territories. Masugi uses the case to look at the Court and Constitution's use and role in the Civil War.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session four, and select the RealAudio link to the left.
Professor Mackubin T. Owens looks at Abraham Lincoln's actions as president in relation to civil rights and liberties. Owens considers whether Lincoln abused his presidential powers and deprived citizens of civil liberties without justification or whether his actions were appropriate and justified. He also includes some preliminary discussion of Lincoln's military strategy during the war.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session 11, and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
Professor Allen Guelzo examines Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, looking critically at its use of language and Lincoln's motivations in writing it.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the guest lecture following session nine, and select the RealAudio link to the left.
An older version of this lecture can be found here.
Professor Steven E. Woodworth examines the "Lost Cause" view of the Civil War—as the South as justified in going to war. Woodworth also looks at the religious life and beliefs of Civil-War-era soldiers and civilians and how religion contributed to the war and the perspectives of those waging it. He refers to the film Gods and Generals and scholarly criticism of it.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the guest lecture after session four, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the text.
Professor Mackubin T. Owens looks at perceptions of Abraham Lincoln, both during his presidency and over the course of American history.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session one; and select either the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
An older version of this lecture can be found here.
Professor Lucas E. Morel details the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in the 1858 campaign for an Illinois seat in the United States Senate. Morel looks at the discussion of slavery in these debates. This lecture continues from the lecture "Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Part One."
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session seven, and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.