Professor Robert Ferrell reexamines popular perception of the 1920s, arguing that, instead of being nationally, a "roaring" decade, it was instead a "staid" decade, though it began an era of change which stretched from 1917 to 1933.

Professor Alonzo Hamby analyzes the life and presidency of Harry Truman, looking at the popular image of him held today and contemporary public reaction to his presidency. Hamby focuses on Truman's foreign policies and decisions, including his decision to use the atomic bomb at the end of World War II and to initiate the Korean War. This lecture continues from the lecture "Harry S. Truman and the American People, Part One: Domestic Issues and Policies."

Professor Alonzo Hamby analyzes the life and presidency of Harry Truman, looking at the popular image of him held today and contemporary public reaction to his presidency. Hamby focuses on Truman's domestic policies and the domestic issues he faced, including civil rights and McCarthyism.

Professor Donald Brand examines the relationship of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal to earlier American political traditions—including the policies of Woodrow Wilson and those of the U.S. Founding Fathers. This lecture continues from the lecture "Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Second Bill of Rights, Part One."

Professor Donald Brand examines the relationship of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal to earlier American political traditions—including the policies of Woodrow Wilson and those of the U.S. Founding Fathers.

Professor Ken Masugi explores the nature of civil rights in the American founding and its evolution during and after the Civil War. He moves on to later developments, including the Civil Rights Movement and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This lecture continues from the lecture "Civil Rights in America, Part One."

Professor Ken Masugi explores the nature of civil rights in the American founding and its evolution during and after the Civil War. He examines various textual sources to see what arguments were made for and against slavery and equal race relations, both prior to the founding of the U.S. and following it.

Professor David Tucker looks at the views of religion, government, and the ideal American citizen and way of life presented in early 20th-century writing; and contrasts them with the views on the same subjects held by the Founding Fathers. He uses writing by the authors Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964), Herbert Croly (1869-1930), and Howard W. Kellog.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, August 5th, 10:50 am session; and select the Real Audio 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 Christopher Flannery looks at the autobiography of novelist, journalist, historian, and academic Henry Adams (1838-1918). Flannery focuses on what it says about the "American character" and how Adams saw it changing at the turn of the century.

For the lecture, follow the link below and scroll down to the first seminar under Thursday, August 5.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.

Professors Lucas E. Morel and Diana Schaub look at the history of demands for reparation for slavery and of instances and accusations of racial profiling in the U.S. They begin with a short discussion of affirmative action cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, continuing from the lecture "Affirmative Action."

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Friday, August sixth, 10:50 am-12:15 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio image or link.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.