The U.S. Constitution

Current study:  The Constitution in 10 Lessons

We’re using Bob Hilliard’s adoption of Publius Huldah’s teachings on the Constitution. A snippet:

To learn Our Constitution, you will need to get a copy of The Federalist Papers; and for word definitions, Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the American Language. As I trust you know, word meaning are like the clouds: meanings change as time passes. So, naturally, we want to focus on the meanings enjoyed by Words during the Era of our Founding.

OK!  Here is your homework assignment: Get a hard copy of The Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. Read them cover to cover. Using different colored pencils, highlight (1) the powers of Congress, (2) the powers of the Executive Branch, and (3) the powers of the judicial branch.

With a 4th color, highlight all references to God in both Documents!

Please pay particular attention to what the Declaration says about the SOURCE of our Rights. Mark that with a 5th color.

Surprising, isn’t it?

Our lessons are:

See our Upcoming Events page to confirm the next lesson.

Also highly  recommended:

Hillsdale College Constitution 101 and Pre-course introductory materials

Start here: http://www.hillsdale.edu/constitution/ or here for the introduction: http://www.hillsdale.edu/constitution/intro_to_constitution.aspx

This is a 10-week online course, each week with a ~40-minute video and study guide. It is free but you must sign up. The class started in February but is archived so you may start at any time.

The lessons

1. The American Mind
   Larry P. Arnn
   Monday, February 20
2. The Declaration of Independence
   Thomas G. West
   Monday, February 27
3. The Problem of Majority Tyranny
   David Bobb
   Monday, March 5
4. Separation of Powers: Preventing Tyranny
   Kevin Portteus
   Monday, March 12
5. Separation of Powers: Ensuring Good Government
   Will Morrisey
   Monday, March 19
6. Religion, Morality, and Property
   David Bobb
   Monday, March 26
7. Crisis of Constitutional Government
   Will Morrisey
   Monday, April 2
8. Abraham Lincoln and the Constitution
   Kevin Portteus
   Monday, April 9
9. The Progressive Rejection of the Founding
   Ronald J. Pestritto
   Monday, April 16
10. The Recovery of the Constitution
    Larry P. Arnn
    Monday, April 23

There is also a 5-video introductory course:

Week 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.

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.

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.

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, was joined by nationally syndicated radio host Hugh Hewitt for an hour-long webcast, where they discussed the main points of the series, and answered questions submitted by  viewers.

 Background

The Constitution formed the government institutions and practical rules to secure and then protect those unifying principles in perpetuity.

• “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” [Preamble to the Constitution]

The Preamble to The Bill of Rights:

• Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
• THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
• RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.
• ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.