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."

Professor Richard S. Ruderman explores slavery as a political issue prior to the Civil War, focusing on how it divided both politicians and the public and helped lead to the war. He uses the viewpoint of James Buchanan as a frame, while also looking at the lives, views, and writings of abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass. This lecture continues from the lecture "Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison, Part One."

Professor Richard S. Ruderman explores slavery as a political issue prior to the Civil War, focusing on how it divided both politicians and the public and helped lead to the war. He uses the viewpoint of James Buchanan as a frame, while also looking at the lives, views, and writings of abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass.

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.

Robert Alt talks about what it means to be a United States citizen in the present day and world, focusing on discussion of the Patriot Act.

To listen to the lecture, follow the link below, and scroll down to the guest lecture under Thursday, August 5.

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.

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. He begins with some discussion of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson's views, as well. This lecture continues from the lecture "How Should Americans Live?"

To access the lecture, scroll to Tuesday, August 3, 10:50 am - 12:20 pm. Select the option to the left, "RealAudio: Click Here to Listen."

An older version of this lecture appears here.