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 20, 2025- This was the first class, so we just talked about the syllabus and format of the class. Students began choosing their books and Senators.
August 22, 2025- We talked about the 7 major components of Conservatism. See the notes for Week 1.
August 25, 2025. We talked about the 6 major components of Liberalism. See Week 1 notes.
August 27, 2025. We talked about the 3 functions of government, the early colonial and state governments, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and Shay's Rebellion. A student talked about the Model UN opportunity for student leadership.
August 29, 2025. We talked about the Great Compromise and the 3/5 Compromise. Most important, we talked about the first four steps of Checks and Balances: bills must pass both chambers of Congress in identical form; the President can veto bills passed by Congress; Congress can override a Presidential veto by a two-thirds vote of each chamber; Congress can impeach a President with a majority vote in the House, but it takes a 2/3 vote in the Senate to remove him from office.
September 3, 2025. We finished the final three stages of Checks and Balances: the Supreme Court can declare federal laws unconstitutional; the Supreme Court can declare Presidential acts unconstitutional; and Congress can impeach and remove Supreme Court judges. We also covered the first two institutions under Selection Methods- the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Senate, and how the process has changed by amendment for the Senate. We had great questions and discussion on current events.
September 5, 2025. We covered the selection methods and terms of office (plus changes over time) for the President and the Supreme Court. We also covered the constitutional requirements for officeholding in the federal government. We had a great class discussion over questions and points raised by students.
September 8, 2025. We talked about Congress' powers in the constitution, and the Differences between the two chambers.
September 10, 2025. We covered the President's powers under the constitution, and had great class discussion and questions.
September 12, 2025. We talked about the Presidential Veto process, the Vice Presidency, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Amendment Process, and the 1st Amendment. There was extensive student questions, comments, and discussion, which was quite valuable.
September 15, 2025. We talked about the 4th amendment, the 5th amendment, the 6th amendment, and the 8th amendment. Under Federalism, we talked about the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial institutions and processes at the state level.
September 17, 2025. We talked about all of the remaining amendments to the federal constitution. Also, how lieutenant governors in Mississippi operate. Also, how the election systems and registration systems differ in different states. The first test is a week from this Friday.
September 19, 2025. We had an excellent student report on America's Great Storm book by former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour, who also had great lessons for effective leadership. We then talked about the first four political party eras, with the most imporrant being the 4th from 1896 thru 1932, when Republicans were the majority party. Hints for the midterm exam are on my website.
September 22, 2025. We talked about four important subjects: the 4th party era from 1896-1932; the Progressive era programs; the 5th party era from 1932-1968; the current 6th party era, and why Democrats lost their majority status.
September 24, 2025. We had a review for the first in-class essay exam. The exam is Friday.
September 26, 2025. First in-class essay exam.
September 29, 2025. We covered the Presidencies of Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy.
October 1, 2025. We covered the Presidencies of Johnson, Nixon, and Ford.
October 3, 2025. We had an excellent student report on the book American Marixism. We talked about the Presidencies of Carter and Reagan. I mentioned that the next test would have the same format as the first, and the first two questions would be on the programs and actions of the 12 Presidents we are now covering (each question would ask about 6 of them). I also have started listing the parties of the Presidents.
October 6, 2025. We covered the presidencies of George Herbert Walker Bush and Bill Clinton. I talked about the 9-11 terrorist attack.
October 8, 2025. We covered the presidencies of George Walker Bush and Barack Obama. I briefly talked about a few accomplishments of Presidents Trump and Biden. I mentioned that the first two questions on the next test would divide the 12 presidencies we have discussed into two questions in chronological order.
October 13, 2025. We talked about different types of political participation, and the presidential nomination process. We also talked about how states conduct their own elections, including disenfranchisement of felons. We had great class discussion and questions on current political developments.
October 15, 2025. We had informative student oral reports on the books Washington's Circle, and Michelle Obama's book Becoming. We introduced the party-issues-candidate model of presidential vote decision, and applied it to the elections from 1948 up thru 1976.
October 17, 2025. We talked about John Bolton's indictment and his time in government. Students gave excellent oral book reports on Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump. We talked about the 1980, 1984, and 1988 presidential elections.
October 20, 2025. We covered the presidential elections of 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004.
October 22, 2025. We covered the presidential elections of 2008, 2012, and 2016. I briefly mentioned the 2020 and 2024 elections.
October 24, 2025. We covered Congress' leadership positions and committees. That material won't be on the test. The next test is on my website under Hints for Midterm Exam.
October 27, 2025. A student presented an excellent book review on Senator Tim Scott, and I talked about the congressional simulation. We then covered the first three stages of How a Bill Becomes a Law- Introduction, Subcommittee, and Committee action.
October 29, 2025. We covered the last 7 stages of How a Bill Becomes a Law.
October 31, 2025. TBA.