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 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.

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."

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 and the contents of the Bill of Rights have had on U.S. history.

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 Allen C. Guelzo traces Abraham Lincoln's views and political decisions regarding slavery, leading finally up to the Emancipation Proclamation. He questions and explores the text and Lincoln's possible intentions in writing it, looking at the context within which it was written. Guelzo also focuses on changing perceptions of the Proclamation, from admiration to criticism, and looks at why this change occurred. This lecture continues from the lecture "The Emancipation Moment: Abraham Lincoln and the First of January, 1863, Part One."

Professor Allen C. Guelzo traces Abraham Lincoln's views and political decisions regarding slavery, leading finally up to the Emancipation Proclamation. He questions and explores the text and Lincoln's possible intentions in writing it, looking at the context within which it was written.

Professor John Koritansky discusses the importance of Thomas Paine and his work to U.S. history. Koritansky looks at Paine's views on religion and religious freedom, as expressed in "The Age of Reason." This lecture continues from the lecture "Thomas Paine, Part One."

Professor John Koritansky discusses the importance of Thomas Paine and his work to U.S. history. Koritansky looks at the context within which Thomas Paine wrote, the reception of his work, and its content and focuses on "Rights of Man" and "Common Sense."