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Mark your calendar for spring semester! — Registration begins Jan. 5; classes start Feb. 2

TWO CONSTITUTIONS: THE U.S. AND STATES OF EMERGENCY (G231)

G – History

Graphic of Delaware with New Castle County Highlighted

Wilmington (Arsht Hall) | February 5, 2026-May 7, 2026

Thursday: 2:30 PM-3:45 PM

This course examines the treatment of dissenters in time of war or national emergency, beginning with the Tories in the American Revolution, followed by Lincoln’s suspensions of civil liberties during the Civil War, Wilson’s campaign to crush socialism and anti-war sentiment during WWI, Franklin Roosevelt’s treatment of Japanese Americans and German agents during WWII, the Cold War and McCarthyism, and use of extraordinary executive power to accomplish political ends in the 21st century.

This offering meets for a total of 13 session(s).

INSTRUCTOR: Thomas Reed

REED, THOMAS — B.A., Marquette University; J.D., Notre Dame University. Law professor at Western New England College (1976-81). Widener University School of Law (1981-2010), professor emeritus (2011-present). Author of four Civil War books and numerous articles on Civil War history. Historic preservation planner and legal specialist. (G231)

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