Dr. David W. Blight discusses the Civil War from the viewpoint of the abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Blight explores Douglass's relationship with Abraham Lincoln, and the ways in which their perceptions of the Civil War matched and differed.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, June 21st, 2:00 pm-3:30 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.
Professor Lucas E. Morel examines the interrelationship of political decisions and pressures, westward expansion, and the issue of slavery in the antebellum U.S. and how these forces combined to lead to the Civil War.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, June 21st, 10:45 am-12:15 pm session; and select 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 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.
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 Jeffrey Sikkenga looks at the 1819 U.S. Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland, in which a cashier of the Baltimore branch of the Second National Bank of the United States petitioned against the state of Maryland for obstructing the functioning of that bank. Sikkenga looks at how the decision against Maryland, under Chief Justice John Marshall, established the Constitution as the basis of justice in the U.S.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session three, and select the Real Audio link to the left of the main text.
Professor Jeffrey Sikkenga describes the Marshall Court—that is, the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Marshall (served from 1801 to 1835), who, as Chief Justice, established the authority of the Court to declare void laws that violate the U.S. Constitution and to, thus, interpret the Constitution. Sikkenga examines particularly the 1803 case Marbury v. Madison.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session two, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of 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.
Professor Schramm discusses Abraham Lincoln's use of language in his composition of speeches and written works.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, August seventh, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm session; and select the RealAudio link or image in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.