Trump's First 100 Days Provide Teaching Opportunities

Laurie Buonanno, professor and coordinator of the public administration program, and Anthony Neal, associate professor of political science, are co-chairing a semester-long series of teach-ins focusing on the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency.

Each session focuses on some aspect of the United States government under Trump. Over the semester, events will compare Trump’s performance to the 100-day action plan he laid out when he issued his contract with the American voter in October 2016. 

“To date, President Trump has disrupted many of our conventional expectations of the first 100 days of a president’s term,” said Buonanno. “We hope this semester-long event helps our students to better understand the American political process and inspires them to become more active and engaged citizens.”

So far, faculty members and invited experts have discussed Congress’s role and the difference between executive orders and legislation; the Hatch Act; foreign affairs; the Supreme Court, the confirmation process for nominees, and the Senate’s confirmation rules; cooperation between the federal government and state and local entities; and counter-terrorism.

“It’s important to put the events of these 100 days within the context of the historical precedence for close observation and analysis,” said Neal. “A new president’s term is an invaluable teaching opportunity.”

On Saturday, April 29, the public is invited to join faculty and students in a teach-in from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It will feature discussions, poetry, films, and a panel presentation.

During the remainder of the spring semester, the following teach-ins will be held within already scheduled classes. All members of the Buffalo State community are invited to attend.
 

• Fiscal Policy
  Kenneth Stone, CFO Buffalo and Erie County Public Libraries and MPA lecturer
  Monday, April 3, 6:00 p.m.
  Classroom Building B220
   
• Affordable Care Act
  Diane Oyler, program officer, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
  Wednesday, April 5, 6:30 p.m.
  Classroom Building B320
   
• Public Safety
  Scott Phillips, associate professor of criminal justice
  Tuesday, April 11, 6:00 p.m.
  Classroom Building B220
   
• Infrastructure
  Jon Lines and Ellen Parker, both political science lecturers
  Wednesday, April 12, 6:00 p.m.
  Classroom Building B108
   
• Immigration
  Laurie Buonanno, professor and coordinator of the public administration program
  Monday, April 24, 6:00 p.m.
  Classroom Building B228
   
• Postscript—Government and Diversity in the New Administration
  Jason Rivera, assistant professor of political science and public administration
  Wednesday, May 10, 1:00 p.m.
  Campbell Student Union 415