The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the legacy of Christopher Columbus before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. America has stood as a land of hope from the time of the explorers. Yet Christopher Columbus—eager to find a trade route to the East—could not see the great import of his discovery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan introduce the course "The Great American Story: A Land of Hope". Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. Good history presents an accurate picture of what happened in the past with a sympathy for those who lived before us. Studying the birth, growth, and survival of America—one of the most significant events in human history—provides foundational knowledge that we can apply to the challenges of our day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ronald J. Pestritto, a constitutional scholar and lecturer, explores how progressive thinkers rejected founding principles. He traces critiques of the Declaration, the living Constitution idea, German intellectual influence, and figures like Wilson, Dewey, and Roosevelt. Listeners hear why progressivism reshaped views of rights and government through historical contingency and reformist thought.

Kevin Porteus, a lecturer in Constitution 101, gives concise historical and constitutional analysis of slavery, secession, and Lincoln’s responses. He traces slavery’s political effects, Southern secession doctrines and grievances, Lincoln’s legal rejection of unilateral secession, and how Gettysburg and the second inaugural reframed the nation’s purpose.

Kevin Porteous, professor of politics and director of American Studies at Hillsdale College, gives a concise lecture on slavery and the secession crisis. He asks how slavery persisted in a republic of rights. He traces early abolition efforts, constitutional compromises that sidestepped slavery, and the rise of a pro-slavery ideology that ultimately pushed the South toward secession.

Thomas West, a lecturer on the American Founding and constitutional theory, gives a concise tour of property, morality, and religion in the founders' thought. He covers property rights, legal structures for ownership, and inheritance. He discusses markets, sound money, limited welfare, civic virtue through education, marriage and family law, and the role of religion in sustaining republican morality.

Ronald J. Pestritto, a scholar of American political thought and the Constitution, walks through consent of the governed and separation of powers. He contrasts democracy and republicanism. He reviews Federalist Papers ideas on faction, representation, and checks and balances. He stresses institutional remedies and the civic character needed for stable self-government.

R.J. Pastrito, college politics professor and dean, gives a concise lecture on constitutional principles. He examines majority tyranny and state abuses that threatened rights. He explains why the Articles failed and why a stronger Union and institutional design were argued for in The Federalist. The discussion traces human nature, factional conflict, and the case for separation of powers.

Thomas G. West, Hillsdale politics professor and author on the American Founding, gives a concise tour of natural-rights theory and its role in the Revolution. He connects natural law to declarations and constitutions. He examines consent, equality as non-domination, the division of federal and state duties, and how government secures life, liberty, and property.

Dr. Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale College and politics professor, leads a concise course on the Declaration and Constitution. He contrasts the Declaration's moral purposes with the Constitution's practical structure. He explains separation of powers, Madison’s reasoning for limited government, and how constitutional design spreads authority across time and space.