Modern American Social Movements

After lunch, Joselynn and I headed to Deihl Hall for Dr. Laura McEnaney and Dr. Overmyer-Velasquez’s class on Modern American Social Movements and a discussion of the beginnings of the conservative movement in America. Dr. McEnaney started the class by saying that some students would have already received mid-semester warnings due to poor attendance, not turning in assignments, or poor grades. She reframed the “warnings” as not meant to condemn or intimidate, but as invitations to come in for discussion. Then a lively conversation ensued about the history of modern conservatism being traced to the rebellion against New Deal liberalism. Parallels were drawn between the arguments used by early conservatives and arguments being espoused today in response to Obama’s “big government” program to correct our current economic woes. I was impressed by two things in this class. First, almost everyone contributed to the discussion, many with hands raised over and over as students vied to be heard. And second, Professor McEnaney talked of the historian’s obligation to “empathize” (if not, sympathize) with the subject under study and to approach each social movement under examination without disdain or dismissal. This was clear evidence contrary to some people’s stereotypes of professors trying to indoctrinate students to particular political perspectives!