The United States Constitution was designed to secure the natural rights proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence. Signed by Constitutional Convention delegates on September 17, 1787—Constitution Day—it was ratified by the American people and remains the most enduring and successful constitution in history.

In this twelve-lecture course, students will examine the political theory of the American Founding and subsequent challenges to that theory throughout American history. Topics covered in this course include: the natural rights theory of the Founding, the meaning of the Declaration and the Constitution, the crisis of the Civil War, the Progressive rejection of the Founding, and the nature and form of modern liberalism.

Taught by:

Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, Professor of Politics and History
John W. Grant, Associate Professor of Politics
Ronald J. Pestritto, Charles and Lucia Shipley Professor in the American Constitution
Kevin Portteus, Lawrence Fertig Professor of Politics
Thomas G. West, Paul Ermine Potter and Dawn Tibbetts Potter Professor in Politics