For those who miss any of the in-class lecture experience:
Remember, all of the class lectures from which the essay exams are drawn from are on my website on the world wide web on the following links:
August 16, 2023- This was the first class, so we just talked about the syllabus and format of the class. Some class discussion about Trump, Biden, and such political events as the January 6 insurrection, the Hawaii wildfire, Ukraine war, and upcoming presidential election. Some students started selecting their books and/or senators, and they have been added to my on-line syllabus as updates.
August 18, 2023- We started talking about Conservatism, which is an important topic (along with Liberalism) that will likely be on the first test. We covered individual self-reliance, family and religion, free enterprise and capitalism, and limited government. Good class discussion with students talking about how government can abuse its power, such as the excessive Covid restrictions, which shut down schools and caused some family businesses to go backrupt. Students continued to choose their books to report on (just send me an e-mail).
August 21, 2023. We reviewed the first 4 components of Conservatism from Friday, and then covered the remaining 3 components of Conservatism. They were: Tradition, anti-crime thru punitive measures, and a national security of anti-communism and anti-terrorism. The on-line notes provide more details of these components of Conservatism. Given the bitter debates in Washington between Democrats (liberals) and Republicans (conservatives), we will probably spend the rest of the week on Liberalism. Students continued to select the books they will eventually report on.
August 23, 2023. We talked about the first three components of Liberalism. They are: 1) Support for big government to help people; big government means the federal government typically; originally it would help people who were hurt through no fault of their own. 2) Economic security ensured by the government. We talked about specific programs of the Franklin D. Roosevelt and Johnson Great Society eras. Some class discussion over whether government should do more regarding higher education. 3) Equal opportunity, guaranteed by the government. We listed groups helped, such as African Americans, native Americans, women, LGBTQ. Some class discussion over quotas being reverse discrimination, hurting quality and qualifications competition. Some class discussion over discrimination in small southern towns in the schools against LGBTQ persons. We also talked about the 8 Republican presidential candidates who will be debating tonight on Fox; it is at 8 PM.
August 25, 2023. We talked about the Republican presidential debates. Students seemed most impressed with the outsider businessman, partly because he was young and talkative. We also talked about the other candidates. We then reviewed the first three tenets of liberalism. We then discussed the final 3 characteristics of Liberalism. They are: 4) Support for individual civil liberties, live your life however you wish as long as you don't hurt other people. 5) Reduce crime by supporting prevention programs and rehabilitation of inmates. 6) Interpret national security broadly to include foreign economic aid, cooperation with other nations like the United Nations, and support human rights in other countries.
August 28, 2023. We finished talking about liberalism and conservatism by pointing out that one could adhere to different aspects of both ideologies. We also noted that conservatives often divide into libertarian conservatives (supportive of civil liberties for women, gays) and traditional conservatives. We then briefly talked about the 3 functions of government, how they operated in Britain, the American colonies, and the early American states. We talked about the Declaration of Independence, and the problems with the Articles of Confederation. We briefly talked about Shay's rebellion and the Philadelphia constitutional convention. We talked about the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths compromise.
August 30, 2023. We talked about a very important topic, Checks and Balances. We talked about each of the 7 ways that each branch of the federal government can check the powers of the other branches, and we gave examples. I drew a nice visual on the board that showed how interrelated the three branches are. I also noted that we are combining the week of Federalism with these two weeks on the Constitutional Foundation, since the division of power between the states and the federal government is another way of ensuring that our country will never had a dictatorship. Also, Federalism will not be on the first exam.
September 1, 2023. We finished talking about the 7th check and balance, whereby Congress can impeach and remove from office Supreme Court and other federal judges. We skipped other material and will come back to an important subject on Wednesday. We discussed the constitutional requirements for holding federal office, the powers of Congress under the constitution, and the differences between the two chambers. I gave examples of all of them, particularly of the Senate's special powers of advise and consent by a majority vote, and of ratifying treaties by a two-thirds vote.
September 6, 2023. We talked about a very important topic, Selection Methods of federal officials. It is the double spaced parts of my notes, numbered 1-4 for the House, Senate, President, and Supreme Court. Know all of that material, especially original method of selection, any changes over time, and terms of each office in years.
September 8, 2023. We talked about current events, and then discussed the constitutional powers of the President, plus talked about federalism in the administration of elections by the state.
September 11, 2023. We talked about the Vice President's responsibilities, how constitutional amendments are proposed and ratified, the 25th amendment and its use, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Bill of Rights. This material won't be on the test.
September 13, 2023. We talked about the first three party systems in the notes, Federalists vs. Republicans from 1796-1828, Whigs vs. Democrats from 1828-1860, and Republicans vs. Democrats from 1860-1896. We also talked about current events. I also indicated that the first test is on my website, and it will be in-class test a week from Friday.
September 15, 2023. We talked about the 4th and 5th party eras, where Republicans were first the majority party, and then the Democrats were. We also talked about the Progressive era reforms. See the on-line notes for details. Remember that the test is next Friday.
September 18, 2023. We briefly reviewed the 4th and 5th party eras, and then talked at length about the issues that caused the majority Democratic party to lose support in the 6th party system. The 6th party system is a tossup between the two parties. I also mentioned what will be on the test this Friday, which is an in-class test. It is on my website.
September 20, 2023. We reviewed for the test. The test is Friday, it is in-class, and it is closed book and notebook. So that you can organize your thoughts,the test is posted on my website.
September 22, 2023. First essay exam.
September 25, 2023. We covered the presidencies of Harry Truman's Containment and Eisenhower's Peace and Prosperity policies. See the notes.
September 27. We talked about the presidential programs and themes of Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. Oral reports on books will start next Monday.
September 29, 2023. We covered the Presidencies of the Caretaker Ford, the Peacemaker Carter, and the conservative Reagan. We start oral book reports on Monday.
October 2, 2023. A student reported on the book It Takes a Village, by Hillary Clinton. We covered the presidencies of George Herbert Walker Bush and Bill Clinton. See the notes.
October 4, 2023. Two students gave oral book reports on It Takes a Family, and American Lion. We talked about Presidents George Walker Bush (the son) and Barack Obama.
October 6, 2023. Three students gave oral book reports on Haley Barbour's book on Hurricane Katrina, Ronald Reagan, and Michelle Obama. These books were all assessed to be good reads, with Barbour's book showing how a governor can prepare for natural disasters and work positively with people of both political parties at the federal and state governmental levels, Reagan's book showing his childhood events, movie career, and California governorship as well as his conservative Presidency, and Obama's book being very insightful and relevant to young people as they embark on their career and life. I talked about President Trump's accomplishments, and his flawed personality traits.
October 9, 2023. A student reported on the book Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign, and discussed problems in her campaign organization and strategy. We finished talking about Trump's presidency, and briefly talked about President Biden's work, especially on fighting climate change, backing freedom in Ukraine, and promoting diversity. We talked about forms of political participation other than voting (including rioting), and how the presidential nomination process works under federalism.
October 11, 2023. Students gave informative oral book reports on Mrs. Medgar Evers' book, For Us the Living, which related his life as a civil rights leader in Mississippi during the era of segregation, and Newt Gingrich's book on Understanding Trump. We also talked about how federalism has affected methods of voter registration and early voting, and the questionable practice of disfranchising felons for their entire lifetime.
October 16, 2023. A student reported on the book about President Lincoln, Team of Rivals. We presented a model explaining the outcomes of presidential elections based on party, issues, and candidates. We covered the presidential elections from 1948 up to and including 1968.
October 18, 2023. We covered the presidential elections from 1972 up to and including 1996.
October 20, 2023. We covered the presidential elections from 2000 up to and including 2016. I suggested students learn about their Senators for the simulation, start thinking about a bill they'd like to write, and remember that the next test is a week from Monday. A list with Senators' names was distributed and is on the on-line syllabus. Examples- McCord is Senator Graham; Steadham is Senator Durbin; Stout is Senator Grassley;
October 23, 2023. Students gave reports on Congressional books on Crisis Point, America, A Redemption Story, and a policy book on Our Kids. We talked about 2 1/2 of the 10 stages of how a bill becomes a law- introduction, subcommittee action, and just started full committee action. The test next Monday is on my website.
October 25, 2023. We covered the remaining 10 stages of how a bill becomes a law. It is important to know these stages, in the order given. Remember that the next test is next Monday.
October 27, 2023. Students reported on Better Together: Restoring the American Community, and Saving Capitaliusm. I lectured on organizing Congress, how House and Senate institutional leaders are selected, the important committees, and the committees that Mississippi Congress members and Senators serve on. Test is Monday, and it is in-class.
October 30, 2023. In-class test!
November 1, 2023. We gave back the graded tests. We talked about the simulation. Your bills are due next Monday in class; make 25 copies of them, so that they can be distributed to all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee simulation. If you get me your bill by an e-mail Word attachment by this weekend, I may be able to make the copies for you. Your Senator's name is on the on-line syllabus near the end of the syllabus. We then talked about the norms of the Senate and House.
November 3, 2023. Two students made reports on the books Physics for Future Presidents, and The Thinking Person's Guide to Climate Change. We talked about how average citizens can try to change their own lives to save energy and water. We then talked about the simulation, which starts Monday and lasts for two weeks. It is very important to attend classes during the simulation. Your bills are due Monday, and you should e-mail me them as a Word attachment. I will put them on the simulation website (the last page of the on-line syllabus), which you can access by clicking on the Senator's name. If you do not get an e-mail back from me before class on Monday (I will be working Sunday), you would need to make 25 copies of the bill. Your grade for the simulation is based on how well written your bill is, how well you present it and defend it during the simulation, and how many worthwhile questions or comments you offer during the simulation on other Senators' bills. Three students have already submitted their bills, which I have posted to the website. The website is at: https://sds17.pspa.msstate.edu/classes/honor/syllabus.html.
November 6, 2023. Senate Judiciary Committee simulation began. Attendance was high, and everyone got their bills in. Anyone absent should review all of the bills, which are listed on the syllabus (at the end). Just click on each senator's name.
November 8, 2023. Two bills were considered by the committee- Senators' Ossoff and Hawley. The new Chair of the Committee is Senator Hirono, as Senator Durbin has assumed the leadership of another important committee.
November 10, 2023. Three bills were considerated by the committee- Senators' Booker, Padilla, and Grassley.
November 13, 2023. We considered five bills today. We also indicated that the written book reports are due next week Monday. If you have to miss that class, just send me the book report as a Word attachment (make sure that you get my response indicating that I was able to print it out). Also, feel very free to submit your book report early (2 students have already done so.).
November 15, 2023. Six bills were considered today. The final seven bills will be considered Friday. On Monday, students who wish will present their oral book reports. A lecture may also occur. Monday is when the written book reports are due.
November 17, 2023. We considered five bills today. The final two bills will be considered Monday, and some students will give oral book reports. Your written book reports are due Monday. Students who submitted them early already received their course grades (assuming they don't take the optional final).
November 20, 2023. We considered the final bills today. Students are presented oral book reports.
November 27, 2023. We heard the final oral reports on books. Students also received their graded book reports and simulation grades. Course grades without taking the optional final exam have been reported to Banner. We still will have a final class period on Wednesday. The optional final exam will be posted to my website.
November 29, 2023. We covered the federal judiciary, particularly the Earl Warren Supreme Court. The optional final exam will be given in class on Monday, December 4, 8 AM. The final exam is posted at: https://sds17.pspa.msstate.edu/classes/honor/final.html.