Episodes
-
Built to Last
S1 E4 - 52m 40s
In this last episode, Sagal travels to Iceland, where after the country’s economic collapse, leaders decided to create a new constitution, looking to the U.S. Constitution for inspiration. This prompts Sagal to consider why our own founding document has lasted more than 225 years.
-
Created Equal
S1 E3 - 53m 11s
The high ideals of the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal” didn’t make it into the Constitution in 1787. It took three-quarters of a century, and a bloody civil war, before the Fourteenth Amendment of 1868 made equality a constitutional right and gave the federal government the power to enforce it.
-
It's a Free Country
S1 E2 - 53m 10s
Ask Americans what the Constitution’s most important feature is and most will say it’s the guarantees of liberty enshrined in the Bill of Rights. In this episode, Sagal explores the history of the Bill of Rights and addresses several stories — ripped from the headlines — involving freedom of speech, freedom of religion and right to privacy.
-
A More Perfect Union
S1 E1 - 53m 10s
Breathing new life into the traditional civics lesson, Peter Sagal (host of NPR’s “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me”) travels across the country on a Harley Davidson to find out where the U.S. Constitution lives, how it works and how it doesn’t; how it unites us as a nation and how it has nearly torn us apart.
Extras + Features
-
Who should change the Constitution?
S1 - 1m 1s
Professor Kurt Lash talks about why he believes any changes to the Constitution should be made by legislators or the people instead of judges.
-
Why has the Constitution lasted so long?
S1 - 1m 28s
Yale professor Akhil Amar talks about why our Constitution has endured as long as it has. He believes this is because of its ability to be amended.
-
What are activist judges?
S1 - 1m 49s
Federal Judge Harvie Wilkinson discusses the concept of "activist judges" and why he believes both Constitutional originalists and those who back the idea of a "living constitution" have it wrong.
-
Rights... have we gone too far?
S1 - 1m 33s
Yale Professor Akhil Amar talks about rights. Have we gone too far in claiming rights not enumerated in the Constitution? Or have we simply been following in the spirit of the document?
-
Should the Supreme Court decide controversial issues?
S1 - 1m 47s
Stanford Professor Robert George believes there is no constitutional mandate that would allow same-sex marriage to be legalized. He also shares his belief that the Supreme Court should not decide controversial issues that are not explicitly outlined in the Constitution. Instead, he thinks that should be left up to legislators or to the popular vote.
-
Why have an "indivisible union"?
S1 - 2m
Yale Professor Akhil Amar gives us a quick background of *why* founders were interested in creating an "indivisible union" in the first place. Why the "United States" instead of the Articles of the Confederation.
-
What does separation of church and state mean?
S1 - 45s
University of Notre Dame Professor Rick Garnett talks about separation of church and state -- and why he believes the founders intended that phrase to mean "freedom to practice your religion openly" rather than "freedom from religion in the public sphere."
-
The perils of big government
S1 - 1m 30s
Humorist P.J. O'Rourke talks about the perils of big government and why the people should be wary of putting giving leaders at the federal level too much power.
-
Liberty, equality and the 14th Amendment
S1 - 1m 45s
What exactly does "liberty" mean? What does "equality" mean? Columbia law Professor Jamal Greene talks about why we've had so many legal battles about those few words in the 14th amendment.
-
What IS freedom of speech?
S1 - 1m 25s
UCLA Law Professor Eugene Volokh explains why the freedom of speech doesn't mean "the freedom to say whatever you want, wherever you want." He also touches upon why it's so important for a democracy to have freedom of speech and of the press.
-
How is the 14th Amendment NOT being followed?
S1 - 1m 56s
Lawyer Michelle Alexander explains why she believes the 14th amendment is not being followed -- particularly when it comes to former inmates, and their right to vote.
-
The delicate balance of federal and state government
S1 - 1m 18s
Historian Rick Beeman discusses the delicate balance between the federal government and state governments that the founders were trying to achieve. Which did the founders believe should have more power?
WETA Passport
Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.
Similar Shows
Blank on Blank
History
Hemingway
History
Letters from Baghdad
History
Empire of the Air
History
Huey Long
History
Eyes on the Prize
History