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.

Professor Gary Quinlivan examines the economic conditions during the Great Depression, the New Deal policies that Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted in response to these conditions, and their effects.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, August fourth, guest lecture; and select either the RealAudio image or link to the left of the main body of text.

Professor Lance Robinson explores the progressive political beliefs of Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, looking at their understanding of government as a force and institution that can evolve as the state evolves.

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

Professor Ronald J. Pestritto explores the progressive political beliefs of Woodrow Wilson, examining his disagreements with the Founding Fathers' political theory of natural rights as expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

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

Professors Ronald J. Pestritto and Lance Robinson review the historical sources from which political progressives drew and developed their ideas, including G.W.F. Hegel (1770-1831). They also look also at how education shaped the thought of progressives.

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

Professors Ronald J. Pestritto and Lance Robinson trace the development of political thought in the U.S., beginning with that suggested in the works and actions of the Founding Fathers and contrasting those views with those of later progressives.

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

Professor Douglas W. Kmiec examines the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, looking at what the two documents actually say, how they are commonly interpreted, and what the Founders' original intentions may have been. He also examines where the rights described in both originate from—that is, the concept of natural law.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the guest lecture before session seven, and select the RealAudio link to the left.

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.

Professor Mackubin T. Owens looks at Abraham Lincoln's actions as president in relation to civil rights and liberties. Owens considers whether Lincoln abused his presidential powers and deprived citizens of civil liberties without justification or whether his actions were appropriate and justified. He also includes some preliminary discussion of Lincoln's military strategy during the war.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to session 11, and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

Professor Allen Guelzo examines Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, looking critically at its use of language and Lincoln's motivations in writing it.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the guest lecture following session nine, and select the RealAudio link to the left.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.