Steven S. Smith, Director of the Weidenbaum Center, gave a series of three related lectures on November 1, November 15, and November 29, 2011.  The lectures were about the combination of procedure and partisanship that have led to the dysfunction of the modern Senate. 

The November 1 lecture highlighted five stories on the development of modern Senate procedural practices.

Streaming Video:  The History of the Senate: A Special Role in the American System?

The November 15 lecture focused on trends in the modern Senate from the mid-20th century until the present.

Streaming Video: The Contemporary Senate:  Clubby, Individualistic, and Partisan

The November 29 lecture looked at the procedural Centerism in which the modern Senate finds itself and proposals for reform.

Streaming Video: The Future of the Senate: The Case for Reform