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.

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Phillip Munoz traces the discussion of religion and freedom of religion among the Founding Fathers, both prior to the creation of the U.S. Constitution, during it, and after. He examines specifically textual sources and difficulties of interpretation.

To listen to this lecture, scroll down to 4:30 pm-6:00 pm on Monday, August second. This should be the lecture "Religion, the Idea of Religious Liberty, and the American Founding." Click on the Real Audio image or text in the gray bar to the left of the main text.

Professor John Moser considers the foreign policy of Woodrow Wilson, looking at his attempts to interject idealism into international affairs and whether these were naive or legitimate efforts.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, July 15th, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select either the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

Professor Lucas E. Morel looks at the views of slavery and abolitionism that preceded the Civil War, including those of Abraham Lincoln, William Lloyd Garrison, and Frederick Douglass.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, June 21st, 7:30 pm-9:30 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.

Professor Mackubin T. Owens traces the flow of antebellum history, up to the Civil War, examining the many changes and pushes for more change that characterized this period.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Sunday, June 20th, 7:15 pm-9:00 pm session; and select either the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

Older versions of this lecture, from newer to older, can be found here and here.

Professor Lance Robinson explores Theodore Roosevelt's political progressive beliefs and looks at what sources may have influenced his development of these ideas. Robinson looks at John Dewey's Liberalism and Social Action as a possible influence.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to session six, and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Professor Ronald J. Pestritto discusses the writings of supporters of the Social Gospel movement of religious and social reform, and looks at how Social Gospel ideas influenced political progressives.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to session five, and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.