For the third time in as many years, Moorpark College has adopted a year-long theme for an academic year.
In 2006, the college chose Science and Religion in 2007, the Environment.
In this historic and ground-breaking political year, staff, faculty and students will engage in dialogue to develop a deeper understanding of the democratic process in the United States and around the world.
During the Fall semester, the Year of Democracy (YoD) will focus
on the American democratic process. In the Spring, the emphasis shifts to a global perspective.
YoD co-chairs are Journalism Professor Joanna Miller and Political Science Professor Lee Ballestero.
"The Year of Democracy will help students make a solid connection between
their roles as informed, involved citizens and the future of our country.
YoD events will engage our campus community so students will understand,
cherish and guard the Constitutional freedoms and rights they enjoy as
citizens of the United States," said Miller.
During the Year of Democracy, Ballestero wants to provide opportunities for students to observe candidate debates and to listen to speakers discuss state and local issues. She hopes that the creation of the Political Science Club will encourage students to become active both on campus and in the community.
"Interested in politics? Join the Club," she says.
Diane Scrofano, English faculty and Coordinator of the One-Campus-One-Book programs, announced that this year's selection is Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi.
The author depicts her childhood and adolescence in Iran
during the Islamic Revolution of the early 1980s, when political upheaval
left many citizens without basic freedoms.
"As the Iraq War continues and Americans debate our role and the role of democracy in a global society, the issues raised in Persepolis are especially relevant. Students and teachers across campus will have lots to discuss both during class and at campus-wide events, including a screening of the acclaimed Persepolis movie," she says.
The YoD opens on September 17, Constitution Day, with a Free Speech Fair and
Voter Registration Drive, at 10 am, followed by an address of keynote speaker John Dean, counsel to President Richard Nixon, at 12:30 pm.
| Today, Dean is a noted constitutionalist who writes about law, government, and politics. |
On September 29, Ventura County Deputy District
Attorney Michael Lief, author of The Walls Came Tumbling Down, will speak on
important civil liberties trials. That evening nationally recognized political journalist Robert Scheer will talk about the importance of an engaged and informed electorate and his new book The Pornography of Power.
On October 13, historian Klaus Fischer
will discuss student protests during the Vietnam War period as detailed in
his book America in Black, White and Gray.
On Ocotber 27, Marta Jorgensen will speak on what it's like to run for Congress.
On November 3, Emmy award-winning
actor Arthur Burghardt will speak on the political life of Frederick
Douglass.
On November 13, an Election Wrap Panel led by Ventura County Star’s Sacramento Bureau Chief Timm Herdt will discuss results of the election.
Concurrently, three faculty will discuss democracy on selected Wednesdays at noon in September, October and November. Films related to the YoD will also be screened at times to be announced.
Year of Democracy events continue in the Spring semester.
All YoD events are free and open to the public.
Details at www.moorparkcollege.edu/yearof
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