

The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College was founded in 1844 with a mission to provide "all who wish to learn" the education necessary to preserve the civil and religious liberties of America. This Podcast, hosted by Hillsdale Online Learning Directors Kyle Murnen and Juan Davalos, expands that mission to a whole new audience. The Hillsdale Online Courses Podcast brings free, full online courses to your podcast feed, with introductory commentary.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 15, 2023 • 36min
The Real American Founding: Equality and the Natural Law
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss the importance of a "common view of justice" before introducing David Azerrad and Thomas West. In this course, Thomas West, one of the leading scholars on the American Founding, is joined by David Azerrad, his former student and now colleague, to examine the principles of the Founders, explore the urgent political questions they faced, and reveal the choices they made to secure free government in America. The goal of their conversation is to move beyond a simple recitation of the abstract principles of the Founding and bring their political theory to life so we can see how the Founders approached the perennial problems of politics. A free society requires a people united in their understanding of the fundamental purpose of government and principles of justice. For the Founders this meant a political community committed to protecting everyone’s equal natural rights through laws that do not grant special exemptions or play favorites. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 8, 2023 • 29min
The Real American Founding: Political Theory
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan introduce the The Real American Founding online course, sharing some personal anecdotes from their time as students of Thomas West. In this course, Thomas West, one of the leading scholars on the American Founding, is joined by David Azerrad, his former student and now colleague, to examine the principles of the Founders, explore the urgent political questions they faced, and reveal the choices they made to secure free government in America. The goal of their conversation is to move beyond a simple recitation of the abstract principles of the Founding and bring their political theory to life so we can see how the Founders approached the perennial problems of politics. The political theory of the American Founding is based on the principle that no one is born with a right to rule another human being. This theory requires government to proceed by consent and to secure the rights of its citizens; and, it requires every citizen to fulfill his corresponding duties under the law of nature.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 1, 2023 • 54min
The Second World Wars: Ends
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss the human toll of World War II and introduce Victor Davis Hanson. This seven-lecture course, taught by Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn and Wayne and Marcia Buske Distinguished Fellow Victor Davis Hanson, examines the causes of World War II and dives into the strategies that gave the Allies the upper hand over the Axis. The tragedy of World War II resulted from a combination of British appeasement, American isolationism, and Russian collusion, which allowed fascism to grow and thrive. It took six years and millions of lives to overcome the Axis powers. The aftermath of World War II presented new threats, marked by the ideological split and distrust between the Soviet Union and its former allies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 25, 2023 • 55min
The Second World Wars: People
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss the leaders of World War II and introduce Victor Davis Hanson. This seven-lecture course, taught by Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn and Wayne and Marcia Buske Distinguished Fellow Victor Davis Hanson, examines the causes of World War II and dives into the strategies that gave the Allies the upper hand over the Axis. In World War II, the leaders of the major belligerents prosecuted the war in vastly different ways: the ruthless Axis powers were committed to ideologies that clouded their strategic judgment, while Russians employed desperate measures to ensure the survival of their equally ruthless Soviet state. By contrast, the United States and Great Britain developed a strategy to preserve liberty and limit the loss of human life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 18, 2023 • 49min
The Second World Wars: Fire
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss the differences between Allied and Axis armored doctrine and introduce Victor Davis Hanson. This seven-lecture course, taught by Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn and Wayne and Marcia Buske Distinguished Fellow Victor Davis Hanson, examines the causes of World War II and dives into the strategies that gave the Allies the upper hand over the Axis. At the beginning of World War II, military theorists believed that tanks would dominate ground warfare. This was due mainly to their ability to plunge through enemy lines and capture territory. However, to make armored tactics effective, the major powers first had to answer essential questions regarding size, design, firepower, fuel, and support.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 11, 2023 • 54min
The Second World Wars: Earth
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss how the belligerents of World War II fought their ground battles and introduce Victor Davis Hanson. This seven-lecture course, taught by Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn and Wayne and Marcia Buske Distinguished Fellow Victor Davis Hanson, examines the causes of World War II and dives into the strategies that gave the Allies the upper hand over the Axis. While World War II gave rise to significant advancements in air and naval power, ground operations remained the key to success. The war’s belligerents employed a variety of means and tactics, based on geography, history, military command, and politics. However, they all pursued a common goal—the destruction of the enemy’s industrial capacity and the occupation of his capital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 4, 2023 • 49min
The Second World Wars: Water
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss the impact of naval strategy on World War II and introduce Victor Davis Hanson. This seven-lecture course, taught by Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn and Wayne and Marcia Buske Distinguished Fellow Victor Davis Hanson, examines the causes of World War II and dives into the strategies that gave the Allies the upper hand over the Axis. At the beginning of World War II, naval doctrine emphasized the primacy of battleships in naval warfare. However, the war revealed the battleship’s limitations and the importance of a diversified and flexible fleet centered around aircraft carriers. The Allies’ ability to build and supply such a fleet allowed them to achieve naval supremacy first in the Atlantic and eventually in the Pacific.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 27, 2023 • 52min
The Second World Wars: Air
Victor Davis Hanson, a senior fellow in classics and military history, delves into the pivotal role of air power during World War II. He discusses how early theories overestimated air power, overlooking the necessity of naval and ground forces. The conversation highlights the strategic advantages gained through Allied investments in bombers and the evolution of tactics that led to air superiority. Hanson also addresses Germany's technological responses and shares intriguing insights about kamikaze threats and the implications of the atomic bomb decision.

Sep 19, 2023 • 37min
The Second World Wars: The Stakes of World War II
Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College and expert in politics and history, explores the tumultuous stakes of World War II. He delves into the ideological clash between collectivism and individual liberty, highlighting how these beliefs shaped the war's course. Arnn outlines key turning points, including Hitler's rise and the impact of Pearl Harbor. The discussion also addresses the chilling realities of totalitarianism and the industrialized methods of murder witnessed during the Holocaust, emphasizing the profound cost of freedom.


