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.

Professor David Foster analyzes Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, looking at what the novel, its characters, and the life of its author reveal about the "American character" and views of American ideals and life at the time of its writing. This lecture continues from the lecture "Mark Twain and the American Character, Part One."

Professor David Foster analyzes Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, looking at what the novel, its characters, and the life of its author reveal about the "American character" and views of American ideals and life at the time of its writing.

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.

Professor David Tucker compares and contrasts John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson's views of the ideal American citizen and government, as suggested in their presidential speeches.

Professor Christopher Flannery walks through the Federalist Papers. He focuses particularly on the view they suggest of human nature.

Professor Christopher Flannery examines the ideals and values associated with being "American," what those ideals mean, and where they originated. Flannery looks at the founding documents of the United States and the positions of the Founding Fathers and of other notable figures throughout U.S. history.

Professors Mackubin T. Owens and Lucas E. Morel discuss Lincoln's second Inaugural Address and his second election as President. They examine what Lincoln's view for the future of the nation was and also discuss the Northern and Southern troops' and generals' views of each other.

Professor Mackubin T. Owens describes Lincoln's actions as a leader during the Civil War, the strategies he employed during the war, and his success or failure as such a leader.

Professor Mackubin T. Owens looks at the issue of the Southern states' secession prior to the Civil War. He considers whether Lincoln was justified in declaring war on the seceding states and what the arguments were both in favor for and against secession.