SCC's Ninth Annual Democracy Days Set for Sept. 14-17

Published: 08/19/2009

National and international topics to be presented during SCC’s celebration of Constitution Day

Highlights will include a panel of SCC’s international students discussing democracy around the world as well as a special presentation of “Meet Mary Pleasant,” the 2007 documentary about 19th century African-American activist Mary Pleasant, who is known as the “Mother of Civil Rights in California.” Susheel Bibbs, producer, director, and star of the award-winning documentary, will speak following the presentation.
 
“Our program this year is equally divided between national and international topics, and several of our international presenters have had recent direct experience in the nations they discuss,” said Michael Kuelker, SCC professor of English. “I’ve never wanted a ‘business as usual’ year for Democracy Days. As it happens, seven of the 10 presenters – six faculty and one student – are new to the event.”
 
The mission of SCC’s Democracy Days is to explore the history, health, and functioning of democracy in America and the world at large. Democracy Days, held annually around Constitution Day (Sept. 17), will include participation from SCC faculty, staff, administrators, and students, as well as community members.
 
“I ask all of our speakers to leave ample time for questions, comments, and, as the case may be, dissent from the audience,” Kuelker said. “The media environment for political talk in this country is generally terrible. At its worst, it is light on facts, heavy on personality, and ill-becoming to a decent democracy. A community college forum ought to offer a different approach, and we do. There’s been a high standard of presentations maintained in the life of the event.”
 
For more information about Democracy Days at SCC, contact Kuelker at mkuelker@stchas.edu.


Democracy Days 2009 Agenda & Descriptions
Presentations will take place Sept. 14-17 in the auditorium of the Social Sciences Building.
 
Monday, Sept. 14
11-11:50 a.m. – “Meet Mary Pleasant,” Documentary and Lecture by Susheel Bibbs
“Meet Mary Pleasant,” is the 2007 historical performance documentary about 19th century African-American activist Mary Pleasant, who is known as the “Mother of Civil Rights in California.” The award-winning film was chosen for national broadcast on PBS in 2008 and in 2009, and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2008. Susheel Bibbs, producer, director, and star of the documentary, will lecture at SCC following the presentation. Bibbs currently teaches at the University of California, Berkeley, and has received numerous awards including a national Emmy for her work as a public television executive producer. For more information on Bibbs and “Meet Mary Pleasant,” visit www.mepleasant.com. This event is sponsored by SCC’s Multicultural Programming Committee.
 
7-9 p.m. – American Myths and What They Say About American Democracy
Myths are elevated forms of narrative or stories that people tell about real and imagined people, places, objects, and events. Myths are often juxtaposed with reality, but seldom are myths completely untrue. This session examines American mythology beginning with the “City on a Hill,” which has informed American discourse repeatedly since Jonathan Winthrop first used it in a sermon in 1630. Michael Kuelker will unpack the origins, uses, and meanings in American discourse of this and other quintessentially American myths.
 
Tuesday, Sept. 15
10-11:20 a.m. – SCC International Student Panel on Democracy
This is an opportunity to learn more about democracy in the Middle East, South America, and Europe. A panel of SCC students from democratic countries around the world will describe their political parties, election process, recent political scandals, laws, and branches of government. Virginia Guneyli, SCC assistant professor of English, will moderate the discussion.
 
11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m. – Democracy: The Difference a Woman Makes
Vicky Herbel, SCC assistant professor of sociology, examines the current gender gap in voting practices between women and men, how women are credited for putting Obama in office (and why), and how the media’s portrayal of Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton affected their political campaigns. Her session will also address the presidential election of 2008 and what it means for women today.

1-2:20 p.m. – Democracy and the U.S. Economy
The U.S. and the world at large have been in the throes of an economic crisis. Joe Hartnett, SCC professor of marketing, and Bruce Welz, SCC associate professor of economics, will examine the role of a democratic government in the U.S. economy. They ask, what governmental controls and involvement are appropriate in a market economy?
 
Wednesday, Sept. 16
11-11:45 a.m. – Chinese Democracy and Daily Life in 2009
Will Griffin, SCC associate professor of anthropology, journeyed to China in July 2009 for a month-long Fulbright-Hays seminar, and he will share his findings in an up-to-the-minute presentation. While the seminar, a program of the U.S. Department of Education, focused primarily on Chinese history and culture, participants were also able to speak with individuals from all walks of life about modern China. Griffin will discuss some of the similarities and differences between Chinese and American views on democracy and daily life.
 
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Is Pakistan a Failed State?
Fahim Masoud, an SCC student originally from Afghanistan, will offer an informative commentary on Pakistan’s need for change. According to Masoud, fundamentalists and Islamic radicals are gaining ground in Pakistan. The national government has almost no control over the tribal areas. Corruption, lack of leadership by President Zardari, and the continual support of the Taliban by elements in the government have all led to chaos and a resurgence of fundamentalism.
 
1-2 p.m. – American Radicalism
Democracy is a political value embraced by most Americans. However, this value is by no means universal. Gabriel Harper, SCC adjunct instructor of political science, will cover the beliefs and methods of those groups in the United States who question the effectiveness of allowing a people to govern themselves. The presentation will examine organizations from across the radical political spectrum, including anarchist, theocratic, and racial nationalists groups.
 
4-5:20 p.m. – Democracy in Post-Genocide Rwanda
In the course of writing her master’s thesis, Rachel McShane, SCC adjunct instructor of science, participated in a project to determine the amount of damage to farms around Cyamudongo Forest in Rwanda, an area of extreme poverty and high population density, by crop-raiding animals. Her presentation will cover the dynamics of conservation, subsistence farming, tourism, and the public’s trust in Rwandan authorities in this, the 15th anniversary of that country’s genocide.
 
Thursday, Sept. 17
1-2:20 p.m. – Religion as Friend or Foe to Social Solidarity in a Global Age: Charles Taylor on the European Union vs. United States
Jon Bowman, SCC assistant professor of philosophy, offers a commentary on the philosophy of Charles Taylor, focusing on American civic religion and the pluralism of European nations. While Taylor concedes the relative historical successes of an American civic religion under a moral constitutional patriotism that proclaimed the U.S. as one nation under God, he finds it increasingly dangerous to profess a unique sense of cosmic purpose in a radically interdependent world.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences, and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational, and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.