A look toward a national election and a look back at a national event highlight SCC’s Democracy Days, Sept. 19-22

Published: 08/29/2016

A volatile national election campaign season and a look back at Ferguson are two of the subjects in a broad list of discussions being held Monday-Thursday, Sept. 19-22, on the campus of St. Charles Community College. The sessions are free and open to the public.

Democracy Days’ mission is “to examine the history, health and functioning of democracy in America and abroad.” The multi-day forum was founded by Michael Kuelker, SCC professor of English, and has been held annually at SCC since September 2001. 

Over the event’s 16 years, Democracy Days presenters have often been SCC faculty, representing a variety of academic backgrounds. The 2016 speakers feature SCC faculty members from the disciplines of English, reading, political science, history, philosophy, psychology, communications, biology and economics, in addition to SCC staff from the departments of instructional media, Title IX and the library. Joining SCC faculty and staff will be doctoral students from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and librarians from across the region. 

“From the beginning I’ve wanted Democracy Days to be a catalyst for dialogue and to bring what we do at SCC into contact with the larger community on issues that concern us all,” Kuelker said.

The event integrates with the college’s mission and activities in a variety of ways. Sophomore students enrolled in capstone classes, for instance, have the option of pursuing the issues raised during Democracy Days through research-based essays.

“A college campus is an ideal place to grapple with the issues of our time and this year’s Democracy Days has 19 offerings covering broad territory,” Kuelker said. “We are covering timely and penetrating topics not only in history and political science but in philosophy, library science, economics and culture. I’m especially pleased that two of the sessions are student-driven forums. Their voices need to be emphasized in what we do at SCC whenever possible.”

The events will be held in the auditorium of the SCC Social Science Building (first floor) or in Room 205 of the Student Center on the campus located at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville. For more information, email mkuelker@stchas.edu. 

SCC Democracy Days 2016 Schedule

Events will be held in the auditorium of the Daniel J. Conoyer Social Science Building (SSB) or in Room 205 of the Student Center (SC). 

Monday, Sept. 19

10 a.m. – Why I Don’t Want to Vote (SC 205)

This is the first session in a series presented by SCC Student Services titled ‘SCC Speaks Freely...’ Each session will open with a short student-produced video of one of our own talking about his or her own feelings or experience on the topic. Polling will be taking place on campus in the days leading up to each session and the results will be discussed. The goal of the series is to talk about the hard stuff, to be timely on issues and begin provocative discussions on campus. This session is moderated by Darren Osburn, SCC professor of communications, and Paul Roesler, SCC professor of political science.

11:30 a.m. – Tyranny: What Ails Us? (SSB)

Tyranny has lately become a commonplace descriptor of a political possibility that both energizes and worries American citizens. There is a sense that tyranny is a bad thing, but why is this? How does tyranny come about, and can/should it be avoided? In this presentation, Charles DeBord, SCC assistant professor of philosophy, employs the writings of Plato and Aristotle to elucidate the concept and cost of political tyranny. The ancient diagnosis of this condition comes with a compelling prescription for curing what ails an at-risk society.

11:30 a.m. – The Framing of News in a Soundbite Culture (SC 205)

This interactive presentation by Jacqueline Turnage-Ferber, SCC adjunct speech faculty, examines news coverage with an emphasis on exploring soundbites and how they shape public opinion. There is a propensity in corporate news media to adopt a biased, superficial soundbite culture that neglects accurate reporting of critical, newsworthy events and instead focuses on filling the 24/7 news cycle. Americans are increasingly influenced by small bits of information that is often times incomplete and incorrect.

1 p.m. – Selma: The Bridge to the Ballot [film] (SC 205)

Selma: The Bridge to the Ballot, a 40-minute documentary, highlights the commitment of students and teachers to the civil rights movement.  Learn more about how national voting rights have been impacted by nonviolent activists in Alabama in the 1960s. In the 2012 presidential election, more than 90 million eligible voters did not go to the polls. In the 18-24 age group, six out 10 voted. And, in 2014, voter turnout dropped to a 72-year low. What does 2016 hold for young voters? Sylvia Edgar, SCC Title IX coordinator/senior HR generalist, leads the discussion following the film.

1 p.m. – Propaganda and Politics: Is Democracy Possible in an Age of Manufactured Consent? (SSB)

Political policies used to be based on science, statistics and factual information. In recent years, there is an entirely new trend going on in our elections. Through the use of pervasive propaganda, voters can now be “programmed” to believe things that are obviously false and an entire generation of political activists have encouraged people to believe that, if they believe something, it is true. Facts have become irrelevant in politics. Can we still have a democracy when people no longer have free will? Through a highly-graphic multimedia presentation, Bob Gill, SCC instructional media manager, will explore these issues and provide many examples of how our political process has become perverted by misinformation. 

6:30 p.m. – Voting or Random Selection? Representative Democracy and the Lottocratic Alternative (SC 205)

Nick Zavediuk, SCC adjunct philosophy faculty, begins from the proposition that political representation in the United States lacks diversity and accountability. For instance, while the most recent U.S. Congress is the most diverse this legislative body has ever been, its members are 80% white, 80% male, and 92% Christian¹. In 2016, a poor black woman living in rural Missouri is about a million times more likely to be struck by lightning than ever serving in either branch of the national legislature². On a typical work day, members of Congress are expected to spend four hours making calls to donors and potential fundraisers³, a point that underscores the extent to which politicians in the United States are far more responsive to the preferences of economic elites and organized business interests than to those of their constituents⁴.

As the prospects for reforming the electoral process in the hopes of making politicians more accountable to voters seem increasingly dim in a context of increasing wealth inequality and political polarization, this presentation considers the philosophical and social-scientific aspects of various arguments for the random selection of citizens to serve as political representatives. Sources: [1] The Washington Post, [2] Rehfeld, The Concept of Constituency, [3] The Huffington Post, [4] Gilens and Page, Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens

Tuesday, Sept. 20

10 a.m. – Student Forum on Elections ’16 (SSB)

Lisa Davis, SCC adjunct political science faculty, moderates the open forum on current events. While any issue is open for discussion, particular emphasis will be put on the 2016 presidential race.

10 a.m. – American Exceptionalism: 1630 to the Present (SC 205)

In “A Model of Christian Charity” (1630), Puritan minister Jonathan Winthrop put the rhetorical stamp on an idea that has remained a fixture of politics and discourse to the present day. Winthrop declared, “We shall be as a city upon a hill” and from it, four centuries of American exceptionalism have flowed, a long history of notions of America’s special identity and role in the world. The implications are vast. Michael Kuelker, SCC professor of English, boils it down to an hour. 

11:30 a.m. – Ferguson: What Barriers Still Exist Two Years Later? (SSB)

With the two-year anniversary of Michael Brown's death approaching, the Ferguson Commission's report now public record, and the U.S. Department of Justice continuing to monitor Ferguson's police management, what is the perception of Ferguson's voting population in regards to the structural problems underlying the events of the last two years? University of Missouri-St. Louis political science graduate students will discuss the current situation in Ferguson using research from historical sources and statistical analysis of current data obtained during the March presidential primary elections. Has anything changed? Are proceedings in motion to alter the structural issues that plague Ferguson and North County? Do opinions of Ferguson voters vary by race, religion, age, gender, socio-economic status, levels of education, and political ideology? The areas of research to be discussed by Ph.D. students from the UMSL Political Science Program:

• Opinions of Policing – Colby Dolly
• Religion’s Influence on Political Participation and Community Development – Tyler Chance
• Comparison of the Ferguson Commission’s Effectiveness with Various Foreign Truth and Reconciliation Commissions – Eric Royer
• The Use of Housing as a Tool to Perpetuate Racial Divisions – Dawna Williams
• Perceptions of Wealth Inequality and the Local Economy – Trey Warren

1 p.m. – Muslims in America: Can We Peacefully Co-Exist? (SSB)

Asking ‘Why do we fear Islam and Muslims?’ Denise Halel, SCC adjunct communications faculty, explores the history of American Muslims going back more than 400 years. Scholars even estimate that a quarter to a third of African slaves brought to this nation were Muslims. This presentation takes a look at our misplaced fear and encourages everyone to critically and open-mindedly explore one of the great religions of the world.

Wednesday, Sept. 21

10 a.m. – Conventions, Democracy and the Nomination Process (SC 205)

Is the process for selecting the president democratic? Paul Roesler, SCC professor of political science, and Darren Osburn, SCC professor of communications, will survey how we choose the president, from the nomination process to the electoral college. They will also discuss how to make our process more democratic and how that might affect the outcome. 

11:30 a.m. – Donald Trump and the Return of Populism (SSB)

Donald Trump has waged a presidential campaign unlike any other in recent American history. Gabe Harper, SCC adjunct political science faculty, will discuss the profound effect Trump’s candidacy has had on the Republican Party, and its likely impact on future elections.    

Noon – Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution (SC 205)

In a presidential year, we should review the qualifications, powers and information concerning the Executive Branch of the Federal Government. Also this presentation by Randy Beck, SCC adjunct history faculty, will look at the creation of the presidency from the point of view of the delegates that attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Bring your favorite copy of the U.S. Constitution with you.

1 p.m. – Marijuana Legalization: A Panel Discussion (SSB)

The Students for Sensible Drug Policy club at SCC promotes education about marijuana. Given the recent changes in marijuana laws, the club is convening a panel of learned professors to explore marijuana from the perspectives of their academic disciplines. Panelists include Mitch Harden, SCC assistant professor of psychology; Gabe Harper, SCC adjunct political science faculty; Rachel McShane, SCC adjunct biology faculty; Paul Roesler, SCC professor of political science; and, Grace Moser, SCC assistant professor of history. 

6:30 p.m. – Trumbo [film] (SSB)

Dalton Trumbo was a 20^th century screenwriter, novelist, playwright. He was also one of the “Hollywood Ten” who refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee about his membership in the Communist Party. He was jailed and blacklisted and he became a voice for political freedom. Director Jay Roach’s new film received many accolades; Bryan Cranston in the lead role was nominated as best actor at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards among others. Grace Moser, SCC assistant professor of history, will lead a short discussion after the film. Make plans also to attend a full-length panel discussion on Trumbo at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept 22.

Thursday, Sept. 22

10 a.m. – The Impact of Libraries on Democracy: Past, Present, Future (SSB)

“Freedom is found through the portals of our nation’s libraries” – David McCullough. SCC librarians lead a panel discussion on the importance of libraries to a successful democracy with a look at the historical significance and how libraries are still an integral part of providing open access, encouraging an exchange of ideas and teaching “skills necessary to participate in the democratic process.” Participants include Theresa Flett, SCC reference librarian; Rebecca Klemme Eliceiri, SCC cataloger; Julia Wilbers, SCC reference librarian; Joe Kohlburn, emerging technologies librarian at Jefferson College; and, Tammy Parrott, branch manager III, Mid-Continent Public Library.

10 a.m. – The Role of Government in a Market-Based Economy (SSB)

Lauren Dickens, SCC interim dean of business, science, education, math, computer science and program chair for economics, will discuss the government's role in our economy. What is a mixed-market economy? When should government intervene with markets? What is the role of property rights in a market-based economy? Who are the winners and losers in a market-based economy?  

11:30 a.m. – Trumbo: A Panel Discussion (SSB)

Grace Moser, SCC assistant professor of history, chairs an interdisciplinary discussion that examines the film Trumbo. Panelists will examine the motives of McCarthyism, censorship, witch hunts and the modern day application of such strategies by governments and agencies. Do such strategies threaten modern democracy? Come to the panel to hear more!

1 p.m. – Is Democracy Working for All People (SC 205)

Vi Rajagopalan, SCC professor of psychology, will examine this question from various perspectives and some of her experiences as an American citizen belonging to the relatively new immigrant population – Indian American.