Professors Ronald J. Pestritto and Lance Robinson explore the history of political progressivism and the U.S. Supreme Court. They examine what progressives have defined as the ideal role of the judicial system, as well as Court decisions that have been in line with this role. They look at writings including those of Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to session 10, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.

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 Jeffrey Sikkenga looks at the Second Amendment and its interpretation. He focuses on the 1939 U.S. Supreme Court case U.S. v. Miller, which has been interpreted as both supporting gun control and supporting the right to bear arms.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to session 12, and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Professor Jeffrey Sikkenga examines freedom of speech and continues on to examine the definition and development of the rights of individuals formally accused of crime. He focuses on the 1966 Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona and the 2000 case Dickerson v. U.S., which established and upheld the "Miranda rights"—that is, the reading of an individual's rights to silence and representation upon arrest.

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

Professor Ken Masugi discusses legal definitions and development of the First Amendment's freedom of religion. He focuses on the 1992 U.S. Supreme Court case Lee v. Weisman, in which the Supreme Court decided in favor of continued limitation of prayer in public schools.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to session 10, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.

Professor Jeffrey Sikkenga discusses legal definitions and development of the First Amendment's freedom of speech. He focuses on the 1989 U.S. Supreme Court Texas v. Johnson, which declared flag-burning an act of free speech and the 2003 Supreme Court case Virginia v. Black, which declared cross-burning a free-speech act. He begins with an examination of textual interpretation of the Constitution.

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

Professor David Forte looks at the U.S. Constitution and its interpretation, focusing on how Supreme Court Justices have interpreted it—and their own role in lawmaking—throughout U.S. history.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, July ninth, 7:30 pm guest lecture; and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.

Professor David Forte discusses the relationship between religion, government, and law, focusing on the religious base of the U.S. government and the religious base of Islamic states.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, July ninth, 4:30 pm guest lecture; and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.

Professor Ken Masugi examines the 1965 U.S. Supreme Court case Griswold v. Connecticut, in which the Supreme Court ruled that an 1879-established Connecticut law against the use of contraceptives violated a citizen's right to privacy. He looks at how this case interprets the Constitution.

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

Professor Ken Masugi looks at the 1944 U.S. Supreme Court case Korematsu v. U.S., in which the Supreme Court ruled that the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II was constitutional—a ruling that still stands today. Masugi compares and contrasts the context and substance of this ruling with the current political and judicial stance on terrorists, looking at the U.S. Patriot Act and arguments over whether or not this document is constitutional.

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