These lectures on the declaration was patrt of a series entitled "The American Revolution and the Founding of a New Nation," given Sunday, June 23, 2002 through Friday, June 28, 2002, at Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio. They are hosted on teachingamericanhistory.org, and the links will direct you to that site's files.

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Session 1 with Professor Flannery. Topic: "Apple of Gold:" The Centrality of the Declaration of Independence in American Political Life.

Focus: Why is it important to understand the Declaration of Independence? What does the Declaration say, and why and how does it say it? What does the Declaration not say, and why and how does it not say it? What is the significance of Jefferson's draft of the Declaration? What does the Declaration mean, and what does the Declaration not mean? What is the philosophical and historical heritage on which the Declaration draws?

Click to listen to session 1

Session 2 with Professor Flannery. Topic: "The American Mind."

Focus: What is the logic of the argument of the Declaration? Reflections (time permitting) on the course of human events, people, the laws of nature and of nature's God, decent respect for the opinions of mankind, self evident truths, equality, rights, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, consent, prudence, the ends of government, the right to abolish government and institute new government, facts submitted to a candid world, sacred honor, and more. 

Click to listen to session 2