Professor Lucas E. Morel discusses the history of affirmative action in the U.S., looking at how it has changed from the early 1960s to the present day. He examines particularly the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court cases Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger, both on affirmative action.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session thirteen, and select either the RealAudio link or image in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
Dr. Carol Swain speaks about her own views on race relations and the development of race relations, particularly her view that a new "white nationalism" has replaced outright racism in the U.S. today.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, August 7th guest lecture; 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 discusses the relationship between religion, government, and law, focusing on the religious base of the U.S. government and the religious base of Islamic states.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, July ninth, 4:30 pm guest lecture; and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.
Professor Ken Masugi looks at the 1944 U.S. Supreme Court case Korematsu v. U.S., in which the Supreme Court ruled that the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II was constitutional—a ruling that still stands today. Masugi compares and contrasts the context and substance of this ruling with the current political and judicial stance on terrorists, looking at the U.S. Patriot Act and arguments over whether or not this document is constitutional.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session seven, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.
Professor Jeffrey Sikkenga looks at the legal debate over affirmative action and how to enforce recognition of equality among U.S. citizens. He examines particularly court cases related to affirmative action polices, including the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court cases Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session six, and select the RealAudio link to the left.
Professor Ken Masugi follows the establishment of the doctrine of "separate but equal" and its opposition and eventual downfall from a legal perspective. He examines particularly the 1896 Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson and the 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session five, and select the RealAudio link to the left.
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 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.