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.

Professor Mackubin T. Owens looks at the issue of the Southern states' secession prior to the Civil War. He considers whether Lincoln was justified in declaring war on the seceding states and what the arguments were both in favor for and against secession.

Professor Lucas E. Morel looks at the views of slavery and abolitionism that preceded the Civil War, including those of Abraham Lincoln, William Lloyd Garrison, and Frederick Douglass.

Professor Lucas E. Morel looks at the history of slavery in the U.S., examining the Founding Fathers' attitudes towards slavery and the policies on slavery written into the founding documents of the U.S.

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Professor Gordon Lloyd examines the U.S. Bill of Rights, its wording, its drafting and acceptance, and the arguments that sprang up surrounding it during its creation.

Professor Gordon Lloyd examines the final ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the continuing arguments for and against it (particularly the arguments of James Madison), and the introduction of the Bill of Rights.

Professor Gordon Lloyd takes the listeners through the Federalist Papers, looking at their significance to United States history and examining their structure and the arguments they present. This lecture continues from the lecture "How to Read the Federalist, Part Three."

Professor Christopher Flannery takes the listeners through the Federalist Papers, looking at their significance to United States history and examining their structure and the arguments they present. This lecture continues from the lecture "How to Read the Federalist, Part One."

Professor Christopher Flannery takes the listeners through the Federalist Papers, looking at their significance to United States history and examining their structure and the arguments they present.

Professor Gordon Lloyd details the final proceedings of the Constitutional Convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution. He looks at the final form of the Constitution agreed upon, the Brearley Committee, the Committee of Style, the convention members who refused to sign the Constitution and their reasons, and Benjamin Franklin's "Rising Star" speech which concluded the Convention. This lecture continues from the lecture "Constitutional Convention, Part Three: The Committee of Detail Report."