The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan introduce the course "The Genesis Story: Reading Biblical Narratives." Genesis is a book of fundamental importance for the Jewish and Christian faiths and has exerted a profound influence on Western Civilization. In addition to being a great religious text, it is also a literary masterpiece. This course explores some of the work’s major narrative themes, including the complex relationship between God and man, the consequences of a rupture in that relationship, and the path towards reconciliation. Among the primary aims of Hillsdale College are the teaching of the Christian religion “by precept and example” and the “diffusion of sound learning.” These aims rest upon a tradition that views faith and reason as an integrity and affirms their capacity to discover truth about man’s relationship to the divine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss the importance of the Founding in our modern political arena 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.  While important elements of the older American way of life still animate parts of the country, the Founders’ political theory has been abandoned today in several critical ways. Americans are no longer guaranteed equal protection of the laws, and the basic idea of consent has been undermined by an emerging oligarchic element that encourages division on the most important political questions.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss whether or not the government should have control over the market 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 just economic system, according to the Founding, protected the right of citizens to possess and acquire property. The Founders sought to secure this right through exclusive ownership of property by private citizens, the encouragement of free markets as far as is compatible with the rights and interests of citizens, and a stable standard of money. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss the role of the government in regulating marriage 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.  The Founders viewed sex as a vital political topic because it generates children. In order to ensure children were raised well, they supported laws and customs that channeled this passion into stable, monogamous marriages that recognized the natural differences between the sexes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss whether the government should legislate morality 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.  The Founders understood that republican government not only depended upon citizens who possess justice, moderation, and industry, but it also required some citizens to possess more assertive virtues like courage and prudence. They sought to develop a virtuous character in American citizens through criminal law enforcement, political speeches and ceremonies, education, and support for religion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss their favorite Founders 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.  The Founders believed government has a duty to protect citizens against threats from fellow citizens through the enforcement of criminal and civil laws, from foreign nations through national defense, and from government itself through the constitutional arrangements and the due process of law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Kyle and Juan discuss how far we've strayed from the Founder's understanding of rights 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.  Two new categories of rights predominate today that conflict with the natural rights of the Founding. The first is a right to positive goods like housing and healthcare; the second is a right to be honored, or at least not to be criticized. The former erodes the property rights of citizens, while the latter restricts freedom of speech. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.