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 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 Lucas E. Morel discusses the history of affirmative action in the U.S., looking at how it has changed from the early 1960s to the present day. He examines particularly the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court cases Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger, both on affirmative action.

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

Professor Ken Masugi looks at the functioning of the Supreme Court. He then examines the 1952 Supreme Court Case Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company v. Sawyer, in which the steel company Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. petitioned that President Harry Truman exceeded his presidential powers by instructing Secretary of Commerce Charles Sawyer to seize control of the U.S. steel industry, under wartime powers.

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

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.

Professor Mackubin T. Owens looks at perceptions of Abraham Lincoln, both during his presidency and over the course of American history.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to session one; 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.