Speakers- Fall 2008
American Political Culture Past and Present
In wake of this election year we remind ourselves of our past with discovering our forgotten founding fathers,observe our present American political culture, and reflect on the nature of the presidency. This fall the McConnell Center hosts a variety of guest speakers on these topics and more, featuring our America’s Forgotten Founders Conference on campus September 12-13.
2008’S MOST VALUABLE VOTERS? . . . THE SIMPSONS! - J. MICHAEL BITZER September 3
4:00 PM McConnell Center, Ekstrom Library, 2nd floor
J. Michael Bitzer is associate professor of political science and history at Catawba College in North Carolina. He uses the long-running television series The Simpsons to “explore and explain ideas such as political culture, public opinion, and the notion of an American Dream in our society.” More on J. Michael Bitzer
AMERICA’S FORGOTTEN FOUNDERS CONFERENCE
September 12-13
A conference for educators, students, and citizens, discover the men and women who made America but whom we have largely forgotten. Featuring Daniel L Dreisbach, Mark David Hall, Edith Gelles, Bill Kauffman and Jeffry H. Morrison. Participate in the launch of two new books and be present when the results are revealed of the national survey of scholars selection of the top ten forgotten founders. Registration required. To register
WHAT’S WRONG WITH OBAMAMANIA? – RICKY JONES
September 23
4:00 PM Chao Auditorium
Associate professor and Diector of the Center for the Study of Crime and Justice in Black Commuities in the Department of Pan-African Studies at the University of Louisville, Ricky L. Jones presents his take on Barack Obama’s sudden arrival on the national scene, resulting in the excitement in American politics dubbed “Obamamania.” More on Ricky Jones
CONTINUITY AND CHANGE: THE EVOLUTION OF OUR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS – RANDALL ADKINS
October 3
12:00 PM McConnell Center, Ekstrom Library
Randall E. Adkins is associate professor in the department of political science at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His current research focuses on the process of selecting presidential nominees. Other interests include American political institutions, American foreign policy and political leadership. More on Randall Adkins
COUNTRY MUSIC AND THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE: KEYS TO THE 2008 RACE – GARY GREGG
October 6
1:00 PM Chao Auditorium
Gary Gregg holds the Mitch McConnell Chair in Leadership at the University of Louisville and is director of the McConnell Center. He is the author or editor of six books including The Presidential Republic, Patriot Sage: George Washington and the American Political Tradition and Securing Democracy - Why We Have an Electoral College. His most recent collaboration is co-editor with Mark L. Hall in America’s Forgotten Founders. He is an award winning teacher and has been the national director of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. More on Gary L Gregg
DO THE SUPREMES HAVE TO AGREE? LEADERSHIP AND THE SUPREME COURT – BARBARA PERRY
Postponed until further notice
October 24
12:00 PM McConnell Center
Barbara Perry is executive director of the Center for Civic Renewal and professor of government at
Sweet Briar College. Author of numerous books and articles on the Supreme Court, Perry was the 1994-95 Judicial Fellow at the Supreme Court of the United States, where she won the Tom C.Clark Award. More on Barbara Perry
MARY TODD LINCOLN REDISCOVERED – JEAN BAKER
October 28
7:00 PM Frazier International History Museum
Noted author and Lincoln scholar, Jean H. Baker presents Finding Mary Todd Lincoln: Our Most Controversial First Lady. Dr. Baker is professor of history at Goucher College in Maryland. Current research includes work on the American women’s suffrage leaders and recently written an introduction to C.A. Tripp’s Intimate Lincoln. More on Jean Baker The Frazier Museum
AFTER THE ELECTION: POST ELECTION WRAP-UP
CANCELED
Nov 6
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Floyd Theater, Student Activities Center
Panel discussion on American Politics after the 2008 Presidential election featuring J. Scott Jennings, John Y. Brown III and Dr. Laurie Rhodebeck. Free Pizza!
RETHINKING THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY AFTER THE 2008 ELECTION – GENE HEALY
November 10
4:00 PM Belknap Research Building, Room 139
Gene Healy , senior editor at the Cato Institute and author of The Cult of the Presidency provides a historical overview of the American Presidency. More on Gene Healy
Lecture Series
Each semester, the McConnell Center offers a lecture series open to the public. Click here to learn more and to view past series.