Books That Matter: The Federalist Papers gives you the chance to delve into one of the most influential guides to the U.S. Constitution. Taught by acclaimed professor and legal scholar Joseph L. Hoffmann of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, these 12 thought-provoking lectures unpack the 85 brilliant essays by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay that serve essentially as the Bible of American government.
Books That Matter: The Federalist Papers
See what the 85 essays that make up The Federalist Papers can tell us about American government from its founding to today.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
cpr_norcal from
Fascinating, Topical, Extremely Well Done
As a longtime TGC subscriber and someone particularly interested in American History, I was greatly enriched by these lectures. The theories and persons responsible for our Constitution were of keen interest to me. The logic behind the structure of our government, and its evolution including Dual Sovereignty, separation of powers, and indeed all topics discussed were extremely interesting and excellent food for contemplation. Professor Hoffman has certainly become of my very favorite lecturers; I have enjoyed and benefitted from all of his TGC courses very much. He is a super clear and interesting communicator, and his material is top notch. Hopefully he will continue crafting more of his marvelous courses.
Date published: 2024-10-17
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Nestor from
A Useful Primer
My sense of this course wanders from "on the one hand" to "on the other hand." Yes, this is a very useful primer from a presenter whose bona fides as an attorney and law professor make him a reliable transmitter of the broad (and sometimes contradictory) messages sent from Hamilton, Madison and Jay. However, I find it a bit ironic that my principal critique of the presentation is similar to the one I found with Professor Pangle's course on Federalists versus Anti-Federalists. First, both are grafted to their teleprompters. Yes, I know-they all use them. Some bring it off better than others. With Professor Hoffmann (as I also found with Professor Pangle), when they are quoting a passage, it is frustrating to know when the quote begins and when it ends, since they don't even pretend to be reading from a text; it is as if it was memorized, which, of course, it was not. This steals from both the spontaneity of the presentation, as well as from the fine scholarship that underlies it. Also, the production values more recently employed by The Great Courses have totally abandoned the classroom environment; they are a distraction. For this reason, and others, I believe this course would have conveyed its valuable content much more efficiently had it been experienced in audio only. With all of that, a subtraction of one star is appropriate. No need to watch. Just listen.
Date published: 2024-09-07
Rated 5 out of
5
by
alexander1 from
wonderful content, excellent presentation
A very informative discussion. A deep, yet accessible presentation of what our brilliant founding fathers were thinking as they created our Constitution. Highly recommended. Fair and balanced . Delightful. One of the best courses I have viewed, among the dozens I have watched.
Date published: 2024-01-24
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Sandy Titus from
EXCELLENT
I learned so much about what happened after the end of the war and what our Founding Fathers fought for to give us the country we enjoy today.
Date published: 2023-08-19
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Bryant62 from
The Federalist
I just started this course. I was watching lecture 4 when Professor (?) Hoffman was talking about the framers in the convention hall. He said there's Benjamin Franklin and the small man in the corner is James Madison. The tall man is Thomas Jefferson. I think Thomas Jefferson was in France at this time.
Otherwise I am enjoying course so far.
Date published: 2023-07-28
Rated 5 out of
5
by
watersnake42 from
Mandatory Civic Class
Excellent class discussed the founding principles and logics of American Republic and Federalism. This should be civic requirement for all high schools and college students.
Date published: 2023-07-13
Rated 5 out of
5
by
coastdownhills from
Amazingly informative, relevent to current events
This was viewed as part of a life long learning activity consisting of mostly retired professionals, all with advanced degrees in STEM. This was chosen for it's brevity and ability to fit between two longer topics. What a joy to find it so engaging and relevant. Most of us considered ourselves well versed in civics, having been educated in a time when that was part of general education, plus having studied this historical era in other courses. We learned a lot. Our usual post lecture discussions that usually drift to current hot topics had a natural segue from the lecture that was eerily prescient of today's concerns. Highly recommended.
Date published: 2023-05-13
Rated 5 out of
5
by
jsl3 from
Outstanding summary of an important subject
Professor Hoffman provides a very clear summary of The Federalist Papers, including the background that gave rise to the publication of the essays comprise them and the influence they have had in shaping the federal and state governments in the United States of America.
His lecturing style is smooth and articulate, and the lectures were easy to listen to.
Date published: 2023-05-02
Overview
About
Joseph L. Hoffmann is the Harry Pratter Professor of Law Emeritus at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, where he has taught since 1986. He earned his JD from the University of Washington School of Law. He has taught about American federalism at leading universities in France, Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Thailand. At Indiana University, he has received the Leon H. Wallace Teaching Award, the Trustees’ Teaching Award, the Teaching Excellence Recognition Award, and the Gavel Award.
Trailer
01: A Blueprint for American Government
Understanding "The Federalist Papers" starts with understanding who wrote them and why they were written. In this opening lecture, go back to 1787 to meet Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to find out what challenges they faced in communicating the need for the new U.S. Constitution.
34 min
02: A Democracy or a Republic?
The Framers of the Constitution believed pure democracy was something to be feared for the way it would lead to the rise of factions, which would in turn tear apart the system. Was it possible to create a new model that offered the benefits of representative democracy without the problems of factions? See how the Framers tackled this conflict.
34 min
03: A Federation or a Nation?
When the Framers gathered in Philadelphia to write a new constitution, they essentially were representing a loose federation of nation-states. Their original charge was to modify the Articles of Confederation, but there was a solid case for a strong central government. Examine this dilemma and the compromises that Madison and Hamilton made.
35 min
04: American Federalism
Given all the conflicts and compromises of 1787, how did the American federal system come about? How did the Framers solve the issues of the day while preserving flexibility for the future? Review the enumerated powers of the federal government and see how power was balanced between the federal government and the states.
33 min
05: Dual Sovereignty
The system that emerged under the new constitution gave the federal government the ability to determine the scope of its own powers. What checks did the system place on the federal government? Who gets to decide when the federal government has violated its powers? Reflect on the powers of the states and the American people.
34 min
06: Popular Sovereignty and States’ Rights
The idea of popular sovereignty—the power of the American people—reshaped the relationship between the states and the federal government. In this lecture, consider the ever-changing relationship of the states to the federal government. See how the institution of slavery was the catalyst for a crisis.
33 min
07: The Separation of Powers
In Federalist Nos. 47 through 51, James Madison explains why the concept of "separation of powers" is so important for the future of the American government. Dig into these five amazing essays to understand what the familiar term “separation of powers” really means—and why he was so optimistic about America’s future.
32 min
08: The Federal Legislature
James Madison believed the legislature posed the greatest threat to the integrity of the system the Framers had so carefully designed. In "Federalist No. 48," "Federalist No. 51," and elsewhere, he laid out warnings about the legislature seizing too much power, as well as the solution of a bicameral legislature. Delve into this thorny issue.
32 min
09: The President of the United States
Shift your attention from the legislature to the chief executive, the single most powerful government official in the world today. But, as you will learn in your exploration of The Federalist Papers, the Framers had a different view of the presidency. Review Alexander Hamilton’s essays about the office and the powers of the president.
32 min
10: The Federal Judiciary
Round out your study of the branches of government with an in-depth look at the federal judiciary, one of the three branches of the federal government. The Framers believed the judiciary was the branch least likely to infringe on the liberty of the American people. Reflect on its role and its power, and then review the most important constitutional law case in American History: "Marbury v. Madison."
33 min
11: The Evolution of American Federalism
The story of the Constitution is one of both stability and change. In this lecture, take a look at some of the most important ways the Constitution has evolved over the past 230 years. Consider whether the changes have largely honored the original spirit of the Constitution or broken faith with the vision of the Framers.
33 min
12: The Future of the United States Constitution
What does the future look like for America’s democratic republic? As you have seen, one of the most important trends has been the gradual increase in federal power, but the tension between federal and state power remains. Is there still a future for republican government? What might a Second Constitutional Convention look like? And would we want to find out?
35 min
