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 of and against secession.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, June 23rd, 10:45 am-12:15 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Older versions of this lecture, from newer to older, can be found here and here.

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.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, June 21st, 7:30 pm-9:30 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 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.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, June 21st, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select 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 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.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Friday, June 25th, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

Older versions of this lecture, from newer to older, can be found here and here.

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.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, June 24th, 10:50 am-12:20 pm session; and select either the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

Older versions of this lecture, from newer to older, can be found here and here.

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 Two."

To listen to this lecture, scroll down to the Thursday, June 24th, 9:00 am-10:30 am session. Select the RealAudio text or image in the gray bar to the left of the main text.

Older versions of this lecture, from newest to oldest, can be found here and here.

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."

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, June 23rd, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm; and select the RealAudio image or text in the gray bar to the left of the main text.

Older versions of this lecture, from newest to oldest, can be found here and here.

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.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, June 23rd, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm session; and select the RealAudio image or text in the gray bar to the left of the main text.

Older versions of this lecture, from newest to oldest, can be found here and here.

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 III: The Committee of Detail Report."

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, June 23rd, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select 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 Gordon Lloyd looks at the Constitutional Convention and the debate over what form the new government and its constitution should take. He focuses on the Committee of Detail and the Slave Trade Committee. This lecture continues from the lecture "Constitutional Convention II: The Connecticut Compromise."

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Tuesday, June 22nd, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm 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.