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From Hillsdale College:
Each lecture is pre-recorded and lasts approximately 40 minutes. Lectures and other study materials will be released by noon each Monday according to the schedule. Once released, they are available to view at your convenience.
Constitution 101 Schedule
Each lecture is pre-recorded and lasts approximately 40 minutes. Lectures and other study materials will be released by noon each Monday according to the schedule. Once released, they are available to view at your convenience.
You will receive an email each week informing you that new material is available.
Course Schedule
- The Declaration of Independence
Thomas G. WestMonday, February 27 - The Problem of Majority Tyranny
David BobbMonday, March 5 - Separation of Powers: Preventing Tyranny
Kevin PortteusMonday, March 12 - Separation of Powers: Ensuring Good Government
Will MorriseyMonday, March 19 - Religion, Morality, and Property
David BobbMonday, March 26 - Crisis of Constitutional Government
Will MorriseyMonday, April 2 - Abraham Lincoln and the Constitution
Kevin PortteusMonday, April 9 - The Progressive Rejection of the Founding
Ronald J. PestrittoMonday, April 16 - The Recovery of the Constitution
Larry P. ArnnMonday, April 23
Introduction to the Constitution
Lecture Series featuring Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President
Also available: “Constitution Day Celebration” presented by Hillsdale CollegeWeek One: The Declaration and the Constitution
In this first lecture of the “Introduction to the Constitution” series, Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, argues that the American republic’s meaning and proper method of operation is found in two documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He introduces the two main principles of the Declaration–Nature and Equality–and explains how they are key to understanding the arrangements of government found in the Constitution.Lecture One Study Guide (PDF)Week Two: The Constitution: Representative Government
In this second lecture of the “Introduction to the Constitution” series, Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, begins to outline the key arrangements of the Constitution. The topic of this lecture is the principle of Representative Government, which he argues is the most fundamental principle of the Constitution.Lecture Two Study Guide (PDF)Week Three: The Constitution: Separation of Powers and Limited Government
In this third lecture of the “Introduction to the Constitution” series, Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, continues his outline of the key arrangements of the Constitution. He discusses the principles of Separation of Powers and Limited Government, and how they relate to Representation and the ideas of Nature and Equality in the Declaration.Week Four: Bureaucratic Versus Constitutional Government
In this fourth lecture of the “Introduction to the Constitution” series, Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, draws a contrast between centralized, bureaucratic rule and constitutional government.Lecture Four Study Guide (PDF)Concluding Session: Q&A Webcast with Dr. Larry Arnn and nationally syndicated radio host Hugh Hewitt
In this concluding session of the “Introduction to the Constitution” series, Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, will be joined by nationally syndicated radio host Hugh Hewitt for an hour-long webcast, where they will discuss the main points of the series, and answer questions submitted by you, our viewers!
Welcome to Week 1
“The American Mind”
Overview
America’s Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson said, was the product of “the American mind.” Our Constitution was made with the same purpose as the Declaration—to establish a regime where the people are sovereign, and the government protects the rights granted to them by their Creator.
The word “constitution” means “to ordain and establish something.” It also means “to set a firm thing strongly in place.” It is linked to two other words: statute and statue. All three words—constitution, statute, and statue—connote a similar idea of establishing something lasting and beautiful.
The Constitution, then, is a work of art. It gives America its form. To fully know the “cause,” or purpose, of America, one must know the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson, its author, mentioned four thinkers for their contribution to molding “the American mind”: Aristotle, Cicero, Algernon Sidney, and John Locke.
Studying these philosophers is a wondrous task in itself, and it greatly helps our understanding of America, just as informed the statecraft of the Founders. Knowing the meaning of the Declaration and Constitution is vital to the choice before us today as to whether we will live under a Constitution different than the one bequeathed to us.
Larry P. Arnn is the twelth president of Hillsdale College. Under Dr. Arnn’s leadership since May of 2000, Hillsdale College has conducted the $608 million Founders Campaign for capital and endowment goals, launched the Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship (located in Washington, D.C.), expanded the core curriculum to include a required course on the U.S. Constitution, and established an Honor Code that all matriculates to the College sign. As a professor of politics and history at Hillsdale, Dr. Arnn regularly teaches courses on Aristotle, on Winston Churchill and on the American Constitution.
Dr. Arnn is on the board of directors of The Heritage Foundation and the Claremont Institute. From 1985 to 2000, he served as President of the Claremont Institute. Formerly the director of research for Sir Martin Gilbert, the official biographer of Winston Churchill, Dr. Arnn is the author of Liberty and Learning: The Evolution of American Education and The Founders’ Key: The Divine and Natural Connection Between the Declaration and the Constitution and What we Risk by Losing It. He received his B.A. at Arkansas State University, graduating with highest distinction, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the Claremont Graduate School.
Welcome to Week 1
“The American Mind”
Lecture
About the Lecturer:Larry P. Arnn is the twelth president of Hillsdale College. Under Dr. Arnn’s leadership since May of 2000, Hillsdale College has conducted the $608 million Founders Campaign for capital and endowment goals, launched the Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship (located in Washington, D.C.), expanded the core curriculum to include a required course on the U.S. Constitution, and established an Honor Code that all matriculates to the College sign. As a professor of politics and history at Hillsdale, Dr. Arnn regularly teaches courses on Aristotle, on Winston Churchill and on the American Constitution.
Dr. Arnn is on the board of directors of The Heritage Foundation and the Claremont Institute. From 1985 to 2000, he served as President of the Claremont Institute. Formerly the director of research for Sir Martin Gilbert, the official biographer of Winston Churchill, Dr. Arnn is the author of Liberty and Learning: The Evolution of American Education and The Founders’ Key: The Divine and Natural Connection Between the Declaration and the Constitution and What we Risk by Losing It. He received his B.A. at Arkansas State University, graduating with highest distinction, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the Claremont Graduate School.
Readings:Welcome to Week 1
“The American Mind”
Readings
1. "Letter to Henry Lee" - Thomas Jefferson
2. "On the Commonwealth" - Marcus Tullius Cicero
3. "Nicomachean Ethics" - Aristotle
4. "The Politics" - Aristotle
5. "Discourses Concerning Government" - Algernon Sidney
6. "Second Treatise of Government" - John Locke
7. "Fragment on the Constitution and the Union" - Abraham Lincoln
8. "The Inspiration of the Declaration" - Calvin Coolidge
Quiz
- According to Dr. Arnn, what does the word “college” mean?
- In this week’s lecture, Dr. Arnn gives two different definitions for “constitution”: “to set a big thing or a firm thing up strongly in a place,” and ______:
- In addition to “statute,” what word is linked etymologically to “constitution”?
- Dr. Arnn describes the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence as “works of art.” How does he define “art”?
- Just as marble was one of the causes (the material cause) of Michelangelo’s David, ______ is America’s material cause.
- Who authored The Federalist, a series of essays in support of the Constitution’s ratification?
- True/False: The United States is a direct democracy.
- Thomas Jefferson notes four philosophers for their influence on the Declaration of Independence: Aristotle, Cicero, _____, and Sidney.
- What is the meaning and importance of nature, according to Cicero? (Hint: the Declaration of Independence is built on this).
- What does Cicero say is the characteristic of a true law?
- According to Aristotle, “good” and _____ are interchangeable terms. (Hint: Dr. Arnn uses a water bottle to demonstrate this).
- According to Aristotle, _____ is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.
- According to Abraham Lincoln, what is the central principle of the American constitutional order?
- Calvin Coolidge identifies three “very important definite propositions” in the Declaration of Independence: “All men are created equal”; “inalienable rights” and:
- True/False: In America, sovereignty originally was placed outside the government.
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