Constitution Course Readings

Hillsdale College currently offers two free online courses and one mini-course on the U.S. Constitution.

  • Introduction to the Constitution with Dr. Larry Arnn

    Introduction to the Constitution with Dr. Larry Arnn

    Featuring Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, this 5-part online webseries explores the relationship between the Declaration and the Constitution, the Constitution's central structural features, and the importance of protecting the Constitution from Progressive assaults.

  • Constitution 101

    Constitution 101: The Meaning and History of the Constitution

    This 10-part online course taught by Hillsdale College professors explores the philosophy of the American Founding, the drafting and structure of the Constitution, the constitutional crisis of the Civil War, and the Progressive assault on the American Founding through the rise of the administrative state.

  • Constitution 201

    Constitution 201: The Progressive Rejection of the Founding and the Rise of Bureaucratic Despotism

    This new 10-part online course taught by Hillsdale College professors will examine American progressivism: its historical roots and principles; its rejection of America's founding principles and Constitution; its political successes in the New Deal, the Great Society, and in recent years; the ongoing political debate between progressives and conservatives; and the chance of a constitutional revival.

Each course contains weekly lectures, study guides, quizzes, readings, and Q&A sessions featuring participant questions.

You can browse the readings for each course below.

Constitution 101

The Meaning and History of the Constitution

Constitution 201

The Progressive Rejection of the Founding
and the Rise of Bureaucratic Despotism

Week 1 – Larry P. Arnn

The American Founding: Revolutionary or Conservative?

Week 4 – Kevin Portteus

Consent of the Governed and the Separation of Powers

Week 5 – Thomas G. West

To Secure These Rights: Economics, Religion, and Character

Week 7 – Ronald J. Pestritto

The Progressive Rejection of the Principles of the Declaration

Week 8 – Ronald J. Pestritto

The Progressive Assault on the Constitution

Week 9 – Kevin Portteus

The Administrative State Today

Week 10 – Larry P. Arnn

Modern Conservatism and the Constitution

Week 1 – Larry P. Arnn

The Founders' Constitution and the
Challenge of Progressivism

Week 3 – Ronald J. Pestritto

Woodrow Wilson and the Rejection of the Founders' Constitution

Week 5 – William Morrisey

FDR's New Bill of Rights