Constitution Day on September 17: Teach-in on the Presidential Election

Constitution Day is on Wednesday, September 17, and this year Trinity will hold a “teach-in” all week about issues related to the presidential election, with many faculty members devoting some portion of their classes that day to issues ranging from the history of political parties, to the Bill of Rights, to mass media and elections, and many other issues.  The full schedule is evolving — below are just some of the classes. All members of the Trinity community are welcome to participate! Check the Class Schedule Board in the Well for to confirm class locations.

Tuesday, September 16

6:30 p.m.: Dr. Lee Meeks – Business Administration 641, Information Systems and Technology in Organizations (MBA program). Focus: The role of technology in the run up to and through the conduct of the elections.  Science 109.

Wednesday, September 17

9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.:  Sr. Mary Hayes – History 337, The United States, 1783-1865.  Focus: Origins of the political parties. Main 240.

12 Noon: Dr. Consuelo Navarro – Spanish 301. Focus: Discussion of an article by journalist Maria Elena Salinas from Univision. The article is written in Spanish and it is about the position of the candidates and of both parties,  Democrats and Republicans, on immigration reform. Main 260.

12 Noon: Dr. Betty Nyangoni – Education 424 and 623, Teaching Methods of the Social Studies. Focus:  Students will bring to class and discuss posters that address election issues, using the social studies standards as a guideline.  Class members will engage in friendly competition to develop the best poster. These posters will then be on display at Trinity during the month of October. The target audience for the posters will be K-6  students. Main 244.

12 Noon: Dr. Mary Reintsma and Professor Dennis Farley, Economics 101, Introduction to Microeconomics (two sections). Focus: September 17 is the kick-off for “Challenge 2008 – Economic Policy Profiles of Obama and McCain.” This challenge involves some friendly rivalry between the two sections of Economics 101. Students are asked to follow the campaign speeches carefully and report on the economic policies the candidates are proposing. Main 246 and Main 234.

1:30 p.m.: Dr. Shelley Tomkin – Political Science 201, Civil Rights and Liberties. Focus: Students will present the ABC’s of the Bill of Rights. All members of the Trinity community are welcome! The class will be followed by an information fair, including voter registration and sign-ups for getting involved in the presidential campaigns. O’Connor Auditorium.

1:30 p.m.: Dr. Raul Tovares – Communication 265, Introduction to Mass Communication.  Focus: Mass media and federal elections. Main 232.

1:30 p.m.: Dr. Sita Ramamurti – Math 109, Foundations of Mathematics.  Focus: Mathematics, politics and voting – does the majority always rule? Science 114.
 
1:30 p.m.: Dr. Diana Watts – Business Administration 101. Focus: Business, Environment and Social Responsibility.  Poster Fair and facilitated discussion. Students will develop posters which demonstrate the relationship between global business practices, enviromental impacts and corporate social responsibility. Each student will lead a 5 minute partner presentation which will evolve into a plenary discussion. Main 230.

6:30 p.m.: Dr. Thomas Mostowy – Criminal Justice 100, Introduction to Criminal Justice. Focus: The philosophical, historical, political and economic influences on the Constitutional Convention and the document it ultimately produced. Library Seminar. (Same focus in Criminal Law on Thursday, September 18, 6:30 p.m., Main 246).

7:10 p.m.: Dr. Amy Brereton – Education 650, Global and Ethical Perspectives of Diverse Learners.  Focus:  Global perspectives on the elections. Main 259

Saturday, September 20

12:30 p.m.: Professor India James – Business Administration 251, Management and Leadership Development.  Focus: Discussion of leadership styles comparing Obama and McCain using style concepts from their texts and employing up-to-date information and historical perspectives on each candidate. Main 230.

TRINITY’S ELECTION 2008 PORTAL: Headlines, voter registration, polls, campus events.