Professor Ralph A. Rossum examines the ways in which recent and current U.S. Supreme Court Justices interpret or seek to interpret their duties and the founding documents of the U.S. He looks at what precedents and interpretations of the Founders' intent are incorporated in contemporary justices' thought.

This lecture continues in Contemporary Supreme Court Approaches to Constitutional Interpretation, Part Two.

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 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.

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.

Professor Mark Tushnet discusses the life and accomplishments of Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993), first African-American Supreme Court Justice and lawyer in the landmark desegregation case Brown v. Board of Education.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, August 5th, 7:30 pm-9:30 pm session; and select either the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

Professor Diana Schaub compares and contrasts the writings and views of a number of civil rights and race relations writers and activists, including Stokely Carmichael (1941-1998), Charles V. Hamilton, Bell Hooks (born 1952), Shelby Steele (born 1946), and Ralph Ellison (1913-1994).

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, August fifth, 10:50 am-12:15 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.

Professor Diana Schaub reviews the life and views of Malcolm X. She contrasts his views with those of Martin Luther King, Jr. and looks at how Malcolm X's views changed over time, based on his writings and speeches.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, August fifth, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.