Come hear what the Founding Fathers have to say about this
year’s unusual presidential campaign season—and many other issues—at a
presentation 6:00–7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, in room 126 of
the Humanities and Social Sciences Bldg.
The presentation, “Original Intentions? A Chat with the Founding Fathers,” is part of
IUP’s annual Constitution Day activities.
“The Founders worried about the tendency of democratic
majorities to make emotional choices,” said Gwen Torges, a Political Science
faculty member who teaches constitutional law and coordinated IUP’s
Constitution Day activities. “And that’s
why American citizens—then and now—don’t directly elect the president. Instead, the president is selected by the
electoral college,” said Torges.
At the presentation Wednesday
night, Torges will lead a conversation with four of the authors of the
Constitution: Ben Franklin, Charles Pinckney, Alexander Hamilton, and James
Madison, portrayed, respectively, by Political Science professors David
Chambers, Dighton “Mac” Fiddner, and Steven Jackson, and History professor
Joe Mannard.
Students, faculty,
staff, and the Indiana community are invited to hear what the framers were
thinking when they wrote the U.S. Constitution, as well as how they might view a
variety of contemporary constitutional challenges. The audience will also have a chance to ask their
own questions of the Founders.
Department of Political Science