Could President Barack Obama be considered as a politician with socialist tendencies? That’s what an Austin Peay State University political science professor will ask the audience to discuss at an upcoming session of APSU’s 2009-10 Library Athenaeum program.
Dr. Matt Kenney, associate professor of political science, will present “Obama the Socialist!” at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3 on the second floor of Woodward Library. While APSU students are encouraged to attend, the event is free and open to the public.
Kenney first will encourage audience members to consider what it means for a U.S. president to act and govern in ways that might reasonably be characterized as socialist. Next, he will look at the unfolding presidency of Obama in light of the meanings of socialism that have been identified. Arguments for and against viewing Obama as a politician with socialist tendencies as well as policy goals will be discussed and debated. Questions from the audience will be invited.
The purpose of the Library Athenaeum series, launched in 2007, is to conduct events that promote and enhance the intellectual life of the University and the region, reach out to students and make connections with them in places other than the classroom and to portray the library as a place to share, explore, discuss and think about ideas and events.
The Library Athenaeum consists of speeches or presentations, panel discussions, debates, readings and performances. Faculty, staff and students are invited to submit proposals for future presentations. Proposal forms and additional information can be found on the Library Athenaeum Web site at http://library.apsu.edu/events/athenaeum.htm.
For more information about the Library Athenaeum series, contact Joe Weber, director of library services at APSU, by telephone at 221-7613 or by e-mail at weberj@apsu.edu.
