Julie Novkov, Associate Professor of Political Science and Women's Studies at the University of Albany, SUNY, provides an overview of 230 years of struggles for equality, focusing on the role of the Constitution and the courts in movements for African American and women's rights.

Audio and video options are available.

Paul Englesberg of Western Washington University unveils the work of the Asian American Curriculum and Research Project, detailing outrages afflicting immigrants in Washington State.

Audio and video options are available. To listen to this lecture, scroll to "Paul Englesberg's Presentation Audio" or "Paul Englesberg's Presentation Video"; and select either, according to your needs.

Sherwood Goldberg, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for D.C., considers the identity and duties of the modern-day U.S. soldier, considering possible changes and incentives that can allow the Army to attract and maintain soldiers today.

Audio and video options are available.

Eric Foner of Columbia University outlines the results of the Dred Scott v. Sandford U.S. Supreme Court case, which institutionalized the exclusion of African Americans from citizenship, and Republican denunciation of the Court's decision (including Abraham Lincoln's opposition to the ruling).

To view this clip, select "The Dred Scott Decision of 1857" under "African-American Experience Video."

Lynne Cheney talks about the way Americans have come to perceive their past. She uses her recent book, A Time for Freedom: What Happened When in America, as a jumping-off point for discussing her longstanding interest in the education of young people in American history.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to "Lynne Cheney" and select "Watch the Video."

Professor Jon Gjerde looks at how the concepts of democracy and citizenship have changed over the course of U.S. history. He focuses particularly on how these concepts have affected and reacted to immigrants and immigration throughout that history.

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 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.

Professors Lucas E. Morel and Diana Schaub discuss the Founding Fathers' intentions in drafting the founding documents of the United States and the views of slavery, freedom, and equality that may be taken from these documents.

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

An older version of this lecture can be found here.

Professors Christopher Flannery and David Tucker examine the definitions of the ideal American character, government, and values today and how they are both different and similar to those of the past. They look at materials written and spoken by George W. Bush and 1984 and 1988 presidential candidate Gary Hart.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to session 13, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.