Professor Michael Anton traces the trend of U.S. popular cynicism and criticism of government back through the history of the U.S. to the Federalist Papers. He continues further back in time to consider whether the Founders' cynicism was inspired by classical sources such as the Greeks and Machiavelli's The Prince.

This lecture continues in Republicanism: Cynicism and Nobility in Theory and Practice, Part Two.

Professor Matthew Spalding looks at the U.S. Constitution and the idea of originalism—that is, responding to the Constitution based on its Founders' original intent and meaning. He examines the document in an attempt to discover that original intent and meaning.

This lecture continues from the lecture Originalism and the Constitution, Part One.

Professor Matthew Spalding looks at the U.S. Constitution and the idea of originalism—that is, responding to the Constitution based on its Founders' original intent and meaning. He examines the document in an attempt to discover that original intent and meaning.

This lecture continues in Originalism and the Constitution, Part Two.

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 Stephen Knott explores the lives and beliefs of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton and the conflict between them. He looks at how both men have influenced U.S. history and identity, and how both men have been remembered and what they have symbolized over the course of U.S. history. This lecture continues from the lecture "Jefferson and Hamilton: Opposed in Death as in Life, Part One."

Professor Stephen Knott explores the lives and beliefs of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton and the conflict between them. He looks at how both men have influenced U.S. history and identity, and how both men have been remembered and what they have symbolized over the course of U.S. history.

Professor James M. McPherson analyzes the many different causes of the Civil War, including slavery, leadership decisions, and cultural differences. He focuses on the question "Why did secession lead to war?" as a framework for discussion. This lecture continues from the lecture "The Causes of the Civil War, Part One."

Professor James M. McPherson analyzes the many different causes of the Civil War, including slavery, leadership decisions, and cultural differences. He focuses on the question "Why did the South secede?" as a framework for discussion.

Professor Robert Ferrell reexamines popular perception of the 1920s, arguing that, instead of being nationally, a "roaring" decade, it was instead a "staid" decade, though it began an era of change which stretched from 1917 to 1933. He looks at the presidencies during this period, the economy, and foreign policies. This lecture continues from the lecture "Calvin Coolidge and the Staid 1920s."

Professor Robert Ferrell reexamines popular perception of the 1920s, arguing that, instead of being nationally, a "roaring" decade, it was instead a "staid" decade, though it began an era of change which stretched from 1917 to 1933.