The Constitution in American Life: Featuring the Friends of Publius
Four educators connect U.S. history, politics, Supreme Court decisions, political culture, and the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum to the challenges of modern democracy. Listeners gain perspective on how the Constitution continues to shape American life.
Episodes
17 episodes
The Fourth Amendment in the Digital Age
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the intersection of the Fourth Amendment and technology. This question is from Unit 5, Question 2 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum. Discussion Questi...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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1:04:53
Protest and Patriotism
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the ways in which protest and patriotism have evolved and changed in the United States. This question is from Unit 6, Question 2 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:27:13
Systemic Racism, 13th Amendment, and the Badges and Incidents of Slavery
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the 13th Amendment, how it has been interpreted over time, and the issue of systemic racism in the USA today. This question is from Unit 3, Question 3 of the Center for Civic Education’s We ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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1:25:41
Human Nature and the Influence of Classical Republican Theory
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the ways in which human nature and classical republican theory intersect. This question is from Unit 1, Question 3 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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57:57
Speech in the Public Square
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the issue of freedom of speech in the public square. This question is from Unit 5, Question 1 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum. Discussion Question Un...
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1:15:19
Who Should Interpret the Constitution
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss who should interpret the constitution and which methods they should use to do so. This question is from Unit 4, Question 3 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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1:14:04
The Amendment Process
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the amendment process and debate whether the Founders made it too difficult for us to revise the Constitution. This question is from Unit 3, Question 2 of the Center for Civic Education’s We...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:19:03
Montesquieu and Madison Republican Theory: Finding the Right Balance
In this episode, the Friends of Publius delve into political theory and discuss how the ideas of both Montesquieu and Madison were incorporated into the U.S. Constitution. This question is from Unit 1, Question 1 of the Center for Civic E...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:07:19
Gettysburg and the Question of American Identity
In this episode, the Friends of Publius engage in a lively discussion about the Gettysburg Address and what it tells us about our national identity. This question is from Unit 6, Question 1 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curr...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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1:08:23
The Inherent Tension of a Federal System
In this episode, the Friends of Publius engage in a conversation about the advantages and disadvantages of federalism and how it affects national identity. This question is from Unit 4, Question 2 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the Peop...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:08:29
Executive Power, Orders, and Recission
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the issue of executive power - both past and present. This question is from Unit 3, Question 1 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum. “The President’s po...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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1:17:58
Elections, Political Parties, and Voter Behavior
In this episode, the Friends of Publius engage in a conversation about the elections and political parties in the U.S. political system. This question is from Unit 6, Question 3 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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1:19:52
Majority Rule, Minority Rule, and the Bill of Rights
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the tensions between majority rule and minority rights. This question is from Unit 5, Question 3 of the Center for Civic Education’s We The People curriculum.How does the Bill of Righ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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1:11:48
The Albany Plan and American National Identity
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the Albany Plan and whether this attempt at forming a union tells us something about American national identity. This question is from Unit 1, Question 2 of the Center for Civic Education’s ...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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1:20:15
Assessing the American Revolution
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss whether the American Revolution was a social revolution, a political revolution, or both. This question is from Unit 2, Question 1 of the Center for Civic Education’s We The People ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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1:16:05
Madison and the National Veto on State Laws
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss James Madison’s proposal for a national veto at the 1787 Constitutional Convention. This question is from Unit 2, Question 2 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curric...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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1:10:48