Liberty and Freedom: A Visual History of America's Founding Ideas, Part One

Description

Professor David Hackett Fischer traces how definitions of the ideals of liberty and freedom have changed over the course of U.S. history, from the American Revolution to the present day. He looks particularly at visual and literary symbols that have been created to stand for these ideals.

Part Two of this lecture is currently not functioning.

A Reconsideration of the Original Case Against the Bill of Rights, Part Two

Description

Professor Hadley Arkes returns to the original debate over whether the Bill of Rights should be added to the Constitution. He looks at the arguments that were put forward, the basis of these arguments, and the repercussions the inclusion of and the contents of the Bill of Rights have had on U.S. history. He uses the 1986 U.S. Supreme Court case Goldman v. Weinberger as a frame for discussing these issues. This lecture continues from the lecture "A Reconsideration of the Original Case Against the Bill of Rights, Part One."

Andrew Jackson, Part Two

Description

Professor Robert Remini follows the life and presidency of Andrew Jackson, considering the great changes that occurred during his lifetime—in literature, religion, the arts, business, science, politics, government, and the presidency itself. This lecture continues from the lecture "Andrew Jackson, Part One."

Andrew Jackson, Part One

Description

Professor Robert Remini follows the life and presidency of Andrew Jackson, considering the great changes that occurred during his lifetime—in literature, religion, the arts, business, science, politics, government, and the presidency itself. He begins with a brief digression on the life of John Quincy Adams.

American Character, Being Human, and Our World

Description

Professors Christopher Flannery and David Tucker examine the definitions of the ideal American character, government, and values today and how they are both different from and similar to those of the past. They focus on the relations of the U.S. with the rest of the world and how these values affect these relations.

To listen to this lecture, follow the link below, and scroll down to the first seminar under Friday, August 6.

Religion, Progress, and American Character

Description

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.

Henry Adams and Our Ancient Faith

Description

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.

Religion and American Character

Description

Professor David Tucker discusses the role of religion in the founding of the United States, its views by the Founding Fathers, and historical perceptions of religion and its relationship with the ideal American citizen and government. He examines the temperance movement and Abraham Lincoln's response to it.

To listen to this lecture, scroll down to 4:30 pm-6:00 pm on Tuesday, August third. This should be the lecture "Religion and America." Click on the Real Audio image or text in the gray bar to the left of the main text.

An older version of the lecture can be found here.