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.

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.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, August 2nd, 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.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.

Professor Diana Schaub compares and contrasts the writings and views of a number of civil rights and race relations writers and activists, including Stokely Carmichael (1941-1998), Charles V. Hamilton, Bell Hooks (born 1952), Shelby Steele (born 1946), and Ralph Ellison (1913-1994).

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, August fifth, 10:50 am-12:15 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.

Professor Diana Schaub reviews the life and views of Malcolm X. She contrasts his views with those of Martin Luther King, Jr. and looks at how Malcolm X's views changed over time, based on his writings and speeches.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, August fifth, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.

Professor Diana Schaub reviews the life and views of W.E.B. Du Bois, looking particularly at Du Bois's views on education and his debate and disagreements with Booker T. Washington. This lecture continues from the lecture "W.E.B. Du Bois, Part One."

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Tuesday, August third, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.

Professor Lucas E. Morel reviews the life and views of W.E.B. Du Bois, looking at the solutions he proposed to the problem of race relations in the U.S. and the implications of those solutions. Morel also looks at Du Bois's debate and disagreements with Booker T. Washington.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Tuesday, August third, 10:50 am-12:15 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.