In this course students will gain an in-depth knowledge of modern American conservatism, primarily through the lens of political history. We will focus on the development of the conservative political movement from the 1930s through contemporary times. We will ponder several interrelated questions: how did conservatives build a movement capable of exercising political power; what do conservatives mean when they discuss equality, liberty, and freedom; how have conservatives conceptualized the role of the United States in the world; what role have ideas played in the conservative movement; how have different factions of conservatives fought for control of their movement while struggling to maintain political unity; and how have conservatives governed? Finally, we will contextualize modern American conservatism in the broader, dynamic political culture of the United States.