High Noon Lecture Series
2012 Fall Schedule
September 19
"Deciphering the Affordable Care Act"
Glen Halva-Neubauer, Professor of Political Science, Furman University
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. Some health insurance reforms have already taken place and others are to come, with most changes taking place by 2014. But will the law ever be fully implemented? Professor Halva-Neubauer will take a broad look at the political implications of the Affordable Care Act, including how the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling affected the law and whether a Romney win in November might change its fate.
September 26
"The Supreme Court and the Presidential Election"
Rod Smolla, President, Furman University
Whether it's Bush v. Gore to decide who becomes President or the Citizens United decision involving corporate political participation, the U.S. Supreme Court often intersects with the political process. Furman president Rod Smolla, one of the nation's top constitutional scholars, will look at how important arenas of constitutional law, from health care reform to abortion to affirmative action in education, can become central debate issues in a presidential election.
October 3
"Greenville and the Cuban Missile Crisis: A 50-Year Retrospective"
Courtney Tollison, Professor of History, Furman University
Dr. Tollison will discuss the history of the Cuban Missile Crisis, with a focus on the life and death of Major Rudolph Anderson of Greenville, the sole fatality of that international crisis. Her talk will also detail the efforts to further memorialize Anderson in Greenville's Cleveland Park.
October 10
"Ballots and Bullets: The Civil War and the Election of 1862"
Lloyd Benson, Professor of History, Furman University
This fall marks the 150th anniversary of Antietam, one of the deadliest battles in American history, and the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. How did Americans respond to the horrific Civil War casualties and the promise of freedom for more than three million slaves? Professor Benson will examine the country's mood by looking at how voters cast their ballots in the 1862 election that took place during the middle of Abraham Lincoln's first term.
October 17
"Who's Going to Win the 2012 Presidential Election?"
Danielle Vinson, Professor of Political Science, Furman University
Dr. Vinson says that nobody knows for sure, but she will look at everything that has transpired in the presidential race thus far and talk about what might happen on Nov. 6.
October 24
No Lecture This Week
October 31
"How Effective is the Government in Managing the Economy?"
Jason Jones, Professor of Economics, Furman University
More than any other issue, the current election hinges on the state of the economy and the government's role in it. Since the Great Depression, the public has grown accustomed to thegovernment taking an active role in combating recessions through its spending and taxing powers. Professor Jones will explore how current economic thought and research evaluate the effectiveness of such fiscal policy.
November 7
"Who Won? Examining the Outcome of the 2012 Presidential Election"
Jim Guth, Professor of Political Science, Furman University
Although American voters will have decided between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney only hours before the lecture begins, Dr. Guth has boldly agreed to analyze what happened the previous night and talk about what the outcome might mean for the future of American politics.
November 14
"Is the United States in Decline?"
Brent Nelsen, Professor of Political Science, Furman University
Scholars and commentators around the world have been sorrowfully (or gleefully) proclaiming the end of the American era in global politics. Are they correct? Is America in steep decline? If so, what will a world without a strong United States look like in 50 years? If not, how long will America be able to manage an increasingly complex global community?
*** All High Noon lectures are free and begin at noon on Wednesdays. They last approximately one hour. The Upcountry History Museum/Furman University is located at 540 Buncombe Street in downtown Greenville's Heritage Green area (near the Greenville County Main Library and Greenville Little Theatre). For more information, contact Furman's Marketing and Public Relations office at 864-294-2185 or e-mail
Marie Newman-Rogers.
Watch archived High Noon Lecture Series videos.