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Huntingdon College | Political Science | Courses | What's New?
PSC 499Capstone Research Seminar
Presentations, and outlines, Nov. 2004.
Page maintained by Dr. Jeremy Lewis.  Revised, 1 Dec.  2004, with outlines.
Click author or title below to see outline.  Full Powerpoint slideshows and Html conversions are linked also.
Presentation materials posted to the web, are fully testable in the appropriate course.

  • Brandy Smith, "Election 2000: The Election That Made America Question Its Election Process." (Outline)
  • Mon. 22 Nov., 09:00, Smith 104, PSC 201. [PPT] [HTML] BRAVO!
  • Michael Pierce, "Presidential Inaugural Addresses: a Critical Comparison."
  • Tues 23 Nov, 09:30, Smith 104, PSC 311. [PPT] [HTML] BRAVO!
  • Gabriel Thorn, "Palestinians and Israelis: Origins and Issues of the 1948 War."
  • Tues 23 Nov, 11:00, FL 101, PSC 302. [PPT] [HTML (part only)] BRAVO!
  • Negin Ahmadi, "Iranian Politics under the Shah and Theocracy, 1978-2004."
  • Tues 30 Nov, 11:00, FL 101, PSC 302. [PPT] [HTML] BRAVO!
  • Mary Hodo, "Dissent and Regime Change in Cuba, 1945-1965: the Batista coup and the Cuban Revolution."
  • Tues 30 Nov, 11:00, FL 101, PSC 302. [PPT] [HTML] BRAVO!
  • J.H. "Bo" Wright, "US Intervention in Cuba: the Castro revolution, the Bay of Pigs, and the missile crisis, 1959-62."
  • Tues 30 Nov, 11:00, FL 101, PSC 302. [PPT] [HTML] presented in last class session.



  • Brandy Smith, "Election 2000: The Election That Made America Question Its Election Process."
    Mon. 22 Nov., 09:00, Smith 104, PSC 201.
    Election 2000: The Election That Made America Question Its Election Process
    Brandy Smith, 2004

    Supreme Court Interference In The Presidential Election of 2000
    Current Problems With The Electoral College & Suggested Reforms
    Voter-Turnout & The Influence On The 2000 Election

    Magnitude of Election 2000

    Election Day November 7, 2000
  • Bush v. Gore
  • Electoral College
  • Influence of Voter Turnout
  • States Gore Failed to Carry



  • Michael Pierce, "Presidential Inaugural Addresses: a Critical Comparison."
    Tues 23 Nov, 09:30, Smith 104, PSC 311.
    Modern Inaugural Addresses
    Carter, Reagan, Bush 41’, Clinton, and Bush 43’
    Addresses tend to avoid controversy and politically charged language.
    Share some common themes.
    Some specific types of statements are common.
    Types of Phrases Common in Modern Inaugurals
    Historical Reflective
    Nationalistic Platitude
    Then and Now
    Politely Critical
    Nationalistic Metaphor
    Ethos Borrowing
    Jimmy Carter
    Casual in comparison with the others.
    Quotes his high school teacher and the Bible.
    Uses at least nine references to spirituality or religion.
    Humble, recognizes own weaknesses.
     Reagan's First Inaugural
    Spends majority of address discussing economic issues.
    Discusses more political issues more directly than any of the other seven Presidents.
    Makes strong statements about the economy, the size of the federal government, and military spending.
    Reagan's Second Inaugural
    A directly related to previous speech
    Re-visits issues and problems brought up in previous address and discusses his actions on those issues.
    Is not as focused as previous speech, uses more of the standard types of phrases.
    More reflective, less direct, but still more on point than others.
    George H.W. Bush
    Begins with a prayer.
    Discusses some basic planned initiatives.
    Encourages Bi-Partisanship, addressing specific Democrats.
    Discusses the role of a President.
    William Jefferson Clinton
    Talks about ‘renewal’ and ‘rebirth.’ Encourages a new way of thinking.
    Uses Historical/Reflective statements more than the others.
    Encourages bi-partisanship
    Focuses more on global concerns and problems.
    Clinton's Second Inaugural
    Stylistically very similar to first inaugural
    Discusses achievements of his first term.
    Brings up more policy goals for the second term.
    Reviews international concerns and issues, most are the same as previous address.
    George W. Bush
    Borrows introductory statement from Reagan.
    Most of introduction is composed of historical/reflective statements.
    Emphasizes national security, educational reform, personal responsibility.


    Gabriel Thorn, "Palestinians and Israelis: Origins and Issues of the 1948 War."

    Tues 23 Nov, 11:00, FL 101, PSC 302.


    Israel: A House Divided

    1947: UN votes to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab sectors

    Original Israeli Boundaries

    Previous Palestinian Lands

    Lands Taken From Neighboring Nations

    Occupied Territory

    Palestinian Exodus

    12% left as a result of expulsion by Jewish forces
    59% because of direct military assault
    15% because of fear of imminent attack
    Accusations of massacres
    “Whispering Campaigns”

    4,942,121 dispossessed Palestinians
    Over 1 million in refugee camps
    Acquired lands largely unused (78% of Jews live in only 15% of land)
    Israeli attempts at agriculture failed

    Israeli Position
    Refugees cannot return to a country of which they are not a citizen
    Palestinian land cannot be well defined
    Jewish citizens would be uprooted
    Returning Palestinians would present a security problem
    Palestinians left on Arab orders
    Israel claims right of occupation and legitimizes it because it was attacked
    The Old City
    Haram al Sharif on Mt. Moriah
    Jewish expansions in the Old City
    Extremists determined to “redeem” the city
    Terrorist attacks on the Haram
    Government turning a “blind eye” to agitators
    Peace?
    Both Israel and Palestine need moderate, rational leadership
    Israel must make some concession for Palestinian refugees to return to their lands
    Occupied territories must be given either citizenship or independence.  Free elections must be held.
    Israel must cease attempts to destroy the Haram al Sharif
    U.S. and Britain withdraw military support from Israel
     



    Negin Ahmadi, "Iranian Politics under the Shah and Theocracy, 1978-2004."
    Tues 30 Nov, 11:00, FL 101, PSC 302.
    Iranian Politics under the Shah & Theocracy, 1978-2004

    Iran

    Only Shia government in the world
    Capital city: Tehran
    Islamic republic in 1979
    Muhammad Reza: King of Iran from 1941-79
     1979: Shah leaves Iran
    History
    Ayatollah Khomeini returned from France
    Many people leave Iran
    December 2nd, 1979: Iran, an Islamic country
    July 27th, 1980 Shah died
    1980: Saddam Hussein attacks the Iranian cities
    American hostages released on January 1981
    July 1988 the Iraq/Iran war ended
    On June 4th,1989 Khomeini died
    Geographical Setting
    A. Location
    In the Middle East
    Bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea
    B. Climate
    variable climate
    Northwest: cold winters and heavy snowfalls, Spring and Fall weather is mild, while summer is dry and hot
    South: Mild winter, very hot summer

    C. Topography
    Consists of rugged, mountainous rims surrounding high interior basins
    Center of Iran consists of closed basins called the Central Plateau
    Eastern part of the plateau covered by salt-desserts: Dashte kavir & Dashte Lut
    No major rivers in the country
    D. Minerals and Resources
    Has one of the oldest oil industries in the Developing Countries
    Second largest country in Natural Gas reserves
     

    E. Transportation
    Highways: 167,157 km
      Air Service
    303 Airports with only 125 paved runways

    F. Communication
    14,571,100 telephone lines (2003)
    Radio broadcasting stations: AM 72, & FM 5
    Internet Hosts: 5, 269 (2004)
    Internet Users: Only 4,3 Million (2003)
     

    Social institutions
    Population: approximately 70 Million people
    Average Life expectancy: 69,66 %
    Capital: Tehran
    Divided into 28 provinces
    Religion: 89% follows Shia Islam, 9% Sunni Islam, other 2% are Jewish, Christian and Other
    Political System
    Islamic Republic of Iran since 1979
    President: Muhammad Khatami
    Supreme Leader: Ali Khamenei
    Constitution revised in 1989 and eliminated Prime Ministership
    Monarch
    King of Iran from 1941-1979
    During WWII, Britain and USSR
    In 1941 the two countries occupied large areas of Iran
    Forced Reza Shah Pahlavi to abdicate
    Muhammad Reza Shah given the thrown
    Shah reviving the army
    In 1963: “White Revolution”
    In 1967: crowned himself as king of the kings (Emperor of Iran) - & Farah Diba, as Shahbanoo (Emperess)
    By mid-70’s had many enemies
    Created the “SAVAK”
    January 1979 Shah fled Iran
    The exiled cleric Ayatollah Khomeini back to Iran
    New Government
    Khomeini as Islamic leader from 1979-1989
    1962 he telegraphed Reza Shah & the prime minister
    June 1963: Khomeini delivered a speech (warning shah)
    Shah sent for Khomeini’s arrest
    Released after less than a month, but arrested again later
    Sent to Turkey
    Left Turkey and lived in Iraq for 13 years
    On October 3rd, 1978 he moved to Paris
    Shah was overthrown by people
    December 2nd, 1979: Islamic republic of Iran
    “First day of God’s government”
    Iran-Iraq War
    Lasted from 1980-1988
    Shatt al Arab
    The 1847 treaty
    1975 treaty
    OTHER REASONS
    Both countries, Muslim nations
    Sunni Iraqi leader vs. Shii Iranians
    Saddam trying to establish himself as leader of Arab world
    Iran as primary competition for regional dominance.
    Syria, Lybia, China, and North Korea as Iran’s ally’s.
     Israel supported Iran:
         - Iraq viewed as a more immediate danger.
         - A large number of Jews in Iran.
     United States’ concerns
    The security of weaker nations in region at risk
     Economic security of western nations that depended on Gulf oil at risk
    Reagan selling weapons to Iran
    Initial sales through Israel
    Using money to fund the Nicaraguan resistance in 1985
    War finally ended in 1989
    Iraq’s use of poison gas
    Living Conditions
    Freedom of thought and expression
     Freedom of the press
     Release of political prisoners
     Khatami as “elected reformer”?
     Iranians rejecting tyranny and oppression
     2003 Nobel Peace Prize (Shirin Ebadi)



    Mary Hodo, "Dissent and Regime Change in Cuba, 1945-1965: the Batista coup and the Cuban Revolution."
    Tues 30 Nov, 11:00, FL 101, PSC 302.
    Three Cuban Revolutionary Leaders:
    Fulgencia Batista, Jose Marti, Fidel Castro and the Revolution
    A Senior Capstone
    By Mary C. Hodo
    Totalitarian Regimes
    Attempt to create and establish a utopian society
    Thought by some to be an extreme form of authoritarianism
    “Radical” ideas about new ways of politics
    Most frequent example- Communist regimes
    Totalitarian Regimes
    Totalitarian regimes are more brutal than authoritarians- more people die
    Create a “mass terror”- genocides of entire people, anyone they consider to be a threat
    Seek to gain total control- politically, socially and economically
    Authoritarian Regimes
    Are much more common today then totalitarian regimes
    No utopian ideas or goals
    Governed by a single ruler or an “elite” group
    Authoritarian Regimes
    Rulers tell the people that they must obey based on “moral or sacred” grounds, but
    Do not hesitate to use direct brutal force when faced with any kind of rebellion of opposition, however
    Common in Latin America- ruling committees- President (general), other generals.
    Background and Lead-in Pt 1
    Carlos Prio President before Fulgencia Batista
    Batista- President from 1940-1944
    Cuba’s Constitution –no consecutive terms
    Batista took over from Prio in 1952- “Chief of State”, not President
    Batista- Prio was planning revolt- he was allowed to leave the country by Batista
    Background and Lead in Pt 2
    Batista- (1933-1940) could make or break a President, controlled Cuba, seemed to care for people
    1952- formed own party, knew he couldn’t win, so seized the government
    Cancelled the Presidential elections and suspended Congress
    Banned strikes and protests
    Batista- 1933-1944
    1933-1940-  and 1940-1944- seemed to care more for the people, advocated for things like education and social welfare and reform
    Military man (General) of strong character, good political mind
    During these years, people were free to voice their opinions
    Batista- 1933-1944
    Good reputation with U.S.- Batista compliant with Good Neighbor policy
    Accepted monetary aid from the U.S.
    Were at least 166 American businesses
    Batista- 1952-1959
    166 American businesses by the end, including hotels and casinos- strong U.S. ties
    New Batista gov’t- much harsher this time
    Now, when anything negative was said or a protest held, harsher consequences than ever
    Batista- 1952-1959
    Now,- instead of arresting and jailing- sent them to into exile
    “26th of July Movement”- Eastern Cuba
    Result- Fidel and Raul Castro exiled to Central America for a few years
    Military also killed people who opposed the regime- “freethinkers”
    Conclusion: authoritarian (leaning towards totalitarian)
    Jose Marti
    Freethinker, considered to be the founder of Cuban Revolutionary thought
    Born in Havana on Jan. 28, 1853
    Was a legislator, poet, above all, a freethinker-
    Poetry still significant today- Cuba’s first “truly” great poet and writer
    Possibly most respected political mind in Cuba
    Jose Marti
    Much of Marti’s life was spent fighting for Cuban independence from Spain
    No Cuban heritage, still, he wanted Cubans to unite, despite differences
    He also fought for better conditions for workers- believed in the “poor man”
    “Guantanamera” lyrics-
    Jose Marti
    Marti- strong policy on justice-  co revolutionaries fair and honest
    Theories on society and justice- interdependent
    Told Cubans- not to be “complacent”, always want better
    For Marti- freedom was the “essence of life” an “inescapable basis for all useful works”
    Jose Marti
    Interpretation of freedom- 2 opinions
    Had many ideas for post- independence, reshaping Cuba
    Pride (national) and education were on his “plan” list
    Believed that Cubans would all want it, once they saw it was possible
    Jose Marti
    Marti would not live to see Cuban independence- was killed in battle on May 19, 1895
    Was said by Fidel Castro to be an “auteur intellectual” of the Revolution and its “political goals”
    Ideas are still studied and used in studying social democracies
    Fidel Castro 1959-
    Prime Minister from 1959-1976
    President from 1976-
    Major leader of Revolution
    At first- seemed like he was going to help Cuba become a leader in Latin America
    Belief in Communist doctrine- Cuba would become increasingly subject to “economic hardship and isolation”
    Fidel Castro 1959-
    Led “26th of July” revolt, 1953
    1956-1958 led revolt- “army” of rebels called the “26th of July Movement”
    Major part of Revolution ended on Jan. 1, 1959, when Batista left Cuba
    At first, the Cuban people thought they had won, that they were going to get change
    Fidel Castro 1959-
    Castro talked in 1963 about Cuba’s problems- blamed people, not his own policies
    Believed in personalized interference in order to move the institutional system ahead
    Castro grew more and more radical- focused more on developing Communism
    Fidel Castro 1959-
    Went from “moderate left” to more extreme radical as he gained power as PM
    Put political opponents in prison
    1960s- “embraced” Communism, began accepting aid from Soviets
    Became hostile to U.S., who had helped Batista
    1960- U.S. embargo on Cuba
    Embargo on Cuba exports- medical supplies, soybeans, rice, and corn products
    Castro- “Yankee imperialism”- retaliated, seized the 166 U.S. businesses
    1961- Bay of Pigs- Invasion of Cuba by U.S. and Cuban exiles- unsuccessful
    1962-63- Cuban Missile Crisis
    Fidel Castro 1959-
    1991- Soviet Union collapsed, Castro isolated
    Mid 1990s- thousands fleeing from regime
    Jan 1998- Castro lets Pope visit- result, some political prisoners released


    Fidel Castro 1959-

    1998- 7 Cuban Americans- indicted for conspiracy and attempt to assassinate Castro
    1999- 4 Cubans arrested for opposing a Communist government- 3 ½-5 years
    1999- Elian Gonzalez- found in boat off coast of FL- mother and stepfather dies seeking refuge in U.S. with relatives
    Fidel Castro 1959-
    November 2004- Cuban dancers defected to U.S., gov’t told them it was illegal to come here and perform
    Were granted asylum
    Conclusion
    Conclusion: Castro - authoritarian ruler, arrests political opponents, doesn't kill them
    What now for Cuba? Should U.S. lift embargo, and allow direct travel there? Should they wait until Castro is out of office?





    J.H. "Bo" Wright, "US Intervention in Cuba: the Castro revolution, the Bay of Pigs, and the missile crisis, 1959-62."
  • last class session., 11:00, FL 101, PSC 302. [PPT] [HTML]
  • US/Cuban Relations
  • The Cuban Revolution,
  • The Bay of Pigs Invasion,
  • The Cuban Missile Crisis
  • US/Cuban Relations Early 1950’s
  • US trade
  • Growing anti-communism attitude
  • CIA covert operations
  • Cuban Revolution
  • Fulgencio Batista
  • Castro’s failed attack-1953
  • Revolutionary Campaign-1953-1959
  • Long-awaited Success-1959
  • Castro takes control
  • Eisenhower/Kennedy
  • Castro cuts out US involvement
  • Eisenhower’s plan
  • CIA
  • 1960 election
  • Kennedy’s enthusiasm
  • Cover up
  • Bay of Pigs Invasion
  • The Plan
  • The Attack
  • Failure
  • Kennedy’s embarrassment
  • Soviet support of Cuba
  • [Map]
  • [Map]
  • [Images]
  • US nuclear bases near USSR
  • Soviet missile sites in Cuba
  • Kennedy’s skepticism
  • U-2 Flights
  • Cuban Missile Crisis
  • Soviet Missile Sites
  • Kennedy’s Naval Quarantine
  • Troops Assembled
  • Soviet Deals
  • Nuclear War averted
  • Aftermath
  • US trade embargo of Cuba
  • Castro’s ruin of Cuban economy
  • The End

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