http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm from the political science department at 91爆料网 Univeristy Copyright 2026 91爆料网 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:59:27 CST http://www.uu.edu/images/Crest_Horizontal-300.jpg http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm This year, 20 91爆料网 students from Life 139, including seven Political Science majors and minors, attended the 2026 March for Life. The March for Life begins with a rally on the National Mall. This year Vice President J.D. Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), long-time abortion opponent Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), and other religious and political speakers. The march then goes down Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Ave, then down in front of the U.S. Capitol, past the Capitol on the House side, and then it turns left at the Library of Congress to end at the U.S. Supreme Court.  These students were a few of the tens of thousands of people who marched. The people who attend were from all over the country and represented all races, ages, and walks of life. There were mothers with their babies, college and high school students, and even some international students. Anna La Pour said, "cause could be seen through the unique signs all throughout the crowd. My favorite moment of the march was walking up Independence Avenue towards the end of the event. That specific street is slopped uphill, so as you walk up it you can clearly see a crowd of people in front of you and behind you. There is something so powerful in knowing that people from all different backgrounds and walks of life can unify together for a single cause."  The next day, student attended the Pro-Life Summit, which is a one-day training event for pro-life activists. The Summit has speakers, panel sessions, and more for students to learn about different topics. Students mentioned hearing from the Alliance Defending Freedom talk about the landmark cases surrounding abortion and an update on litigation against chemical abortions, which is becoming a more common means of ending the life of the unborn instead of surgical procedures. Students also enjoyed hearing from Kristin Hawkins, President of Students for Life of America talk about how to make their case on college campuses. All pro-life supporters must show concern for the mother and the unborh child with a heart of love.  Many of the attendees would probably agree with Rebekah Ruth Basie who said, "The March for Life was a highly encouraging opportunity to stand for Life with tens of thousands of other pro-lifers. Between the rally, the March, and the Pro-Life Summit, the experience provided a unique and rare glimpse at the larger pro-life mvoement. While there is much work to be done to abolish abortion, this experience motiviated me to continue aiding local pro-life eefforts and making any difference I can."  <!--StartFragment--&rt;<!--EndFragment--&rt;<!--StartFragment--&rt;<!--EndFragment--&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=704 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=704 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 CST  Collin Wickens wrote a white paper on the National Firearms Act as his senior thesis. Wickens, from Arlington, TN, is an outspoken supporter of the Second Amendment and used the thesis to study something very important to him and many others.  The National Firearms Act  of 1934 was passed in response to Prohibition and the rise of organized crime. The Act's main goal was curbing the use of guns commonly used by organized crime like the Thompson Submachine Gun (aka Tommy). The law did not outright ban the guns but instead required registration and a $200 tax stamp ($4,800 in today's dollars. Congress designed the tax stamp to discourage the purchase of these weapons.  Wickens identified multiple problems with the law. The primary problem is that the language defining the guns subject to the tax is very vague. The vaguness gives the ATF broad discretion to regulate these weapons. Moreover, the law and its regulations sometimes lead to arrests for technical violations, when people were unsure if they had broken the law. Moreover, most guns are committed with handguns, which may suggest the regulations on these weapons may not matter much. The vagueness has led to controversies in the gun community over pistol braces, forced reset triggers, suppressors, and short barreled rifes. The result is that ATF has a poor reputation among gun owners becasue of scandals involving Operation Fast and Furious, Ruby Ridge, tandhe Branch Davidian siege in Waco.  After reviewing this history, Wickens identified three reforms: outright repeal, reform the NFA to be clearly restrictive (clear on what is restricted), or reform the NFA to be clearly permissive (allow guns in "commonn usage").  His criteria for judging the reforms was prevention of inconsistent enforcement, protecting civil liberties, public safety, implementation costs, and restoring public trust. He concluded that repeal would prevent inconsistent enforcement, protect civil liberties, allow ATF to go over violent criminals instead of gunowners, be cheap to implement, and little effect on public trust. Reforming the NFA would remove ambiguity, violate Second Amendment rights, would have no influence on crime, would have large up-front costs for registering more firearms, and would be seen by many gun owners as an expansion of federal authority. The reform to be permissive would end the vagueness, protect Second Amendment rights, not influence crime, have some administrative costs, and would step back from overreach. Wickens concluded that the reform to be permissive would be best because it would drop some guns in "common usage" to be dropped from regulation while still restricting machine guns, the greatest concern.      http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=705 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=705 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 CST  Last night, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti spoke to an overflow crowd of students and community members for 91爆料网's annual Constitution Day event. His topic was "The American Constitution and the Continuing Role of States." For the event, Dr. Sean Evans interview Skrmetti to get his take on several aspects of federalism.  Skrmetti started by answering questions about the Founder's views of federalism. He briefly spoke on the differences between the Federalist who favored a stronger national government and the Anti-Federalist who favored stronger states. Next, he discussed the constitutional basis for federalism. He spoke of how the Supremacy Clause meant that the federal government would be supreme and that the Constitution saw the federal government as one of enumerated powers. All other powers would be reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment. However, federal power grew due to the Necessary and Proper Clause which expanded federal power beyond its strictly enumerated powers and the Commerce Clause as commerce became more interstate, rather than intrastate, as industrialization started. He talked about how Wickard v Filburn's (1942) aggregation principle basically meant that anything indirectly related to commerce was subject to Congressional regulation and removed a lot of power from states. The Fourteenth Amendment also authorized Congress to directly regulate states to protect civil rights, which increased its power. The Supreme Court also used the Fourteenth Amendment to slowly incorporate the Bill of Rights against the states, which led to more uniform rights across the nation.  He also spoke about how polarization is affecting federalism today. He said that all officials, national, state, and local, now run on national issues, which means there is less variation in states. Red states govern one way and blue sttes govern another. He also talked about how members of Congress are basically cheerleaders for their party and do whatever their president wants. Thus, they are not an effective check on the president. Moreover, many do not even see their job as legislation, but simply supporting their president or opposing the other party's president.  Dr. Evans then asked him about his time suing the Biden Administration and whether he had any migsgivings about Trump v CASA (2025) which limited federal courts from issuing injunctions against the federal government. he claimed that the Republican suits against Biden were different from Democratic suits against Trump. He said the the suits he and other Republican Attorney Generals filed dealt with violations of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) as Biden made law without Congressional authorization. He claimed that the Democrat AG suits against Trump are interfering with executive power, which makes it hard for government to do anything. This claim of executive power is controversial and depends on whether one accepts the unitary theory of the executive.  Dr. Evans' last question dealt with state interactions with cities and counties. Many scholars write about the red states, blue cities or blue states, red counties problem where the states takes away the discretion of cities and counties to have different policies from the state. He said that states create cities and counties and that they do not have the flexibility in the federal system that states are supposed to have.  Skrmetti then answered questions from the audience on various topics. When one student asked about how we can return to the Founder's understanding of federalism, Skrmetti said it starts with civics education so citizens will push federal officials to return to that system. Dr. Evans then asked if he thought students should take an American Government class. When he said yes, Dr. Evans plugged his Politics and Government class for the Spring semester. Skrmetti said he was glad he could endorse the class to laughter. He also said all colleges should require a class in American goverment before students graduate. His last question referred to the impending use of the national guard in Memphis. He said he could not really answer that question because they are still talking with the federal government about how federal and state forces will interact.  http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=703 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=703 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:00:00 CST  We knew that things were going Brooklyn Lord's way when she hit a hole-in-one on the first hole of the department's annual Mini-Golf Tournament at 3-Rivers Mini-Golf in Humboldt. Even though she said this might be her second time to ever play putt putt, she will take home the prize asthe Annika Sorenstam of Mini-Golf and forever be the 2025 Political Science Mini-Golf Champion.  While Lord won the tournament, it was a competitive event. Lane Pyron was leading for most of the tournament. He may have gotten a little overconfident and started having fun by sinking shots with his putter like it was pool cue. But Lord showed that slow and steady can be effective. At the end of 18, we totaled the scores and had the first tie in department history. This led to a sudden death playoff on 3-Rivers #3. On this hole, you have to knock the ball into the water and let the stream carry the ball down to the green around the hole. Pyron went first and hit his ball within four feet of the hole. Lord got her ball stuck in the water behind a rock but eventually got her ball down to about 10 feet from the cup. Lord then sunk the long ball placing the pressure on Pyron. He was unable to sink his putt giving Brooklyn an unexpected victory.  We look forward to Brooklyn celebrating her victory at Evanspalooza this Spring and defending her title next fall. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=702 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=702 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 CST  This past summer, several 91爆料网 students spend time working in politics or attending political events. These opportunities introduced students to various political activities and events and gave them a taste of what politics is really like. Here are some of our students and there summer political activities.  Avery Caldwell interned in Senator Cotton’s (R-AR) office in Little Rock, Arkansas. She had the opportunity to serve the people of Arkansas and gain firsthand experience with the legislative branch. Throughout this experience, she was able to listen to constituents’ concerns, answer their questions, and assist them with various agencies within the federal government. She also had the opportunity to attend several events, including a Change of Command Ceremony, a meeting with the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, and a ceremony at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. These tasks gave me a better understanding of how the US Government works and increased my communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.   Katie Mullins had multiple political experiences this summer. She attended the Turning Point USA Young Women's Leadership Summit in Dallas and the Concerned Women for America's Impact 2025 event in San Diego. She used this opportunities to network with multiple people and ended up working for Marsha Blackburn's campaign at the Tennessee Statesmen Dinner.  Anna LaPour worked in Congresswoman Nancy Mace's (R-SC) District Office.  Her time there was primarily focused on local government and politics. She attended several town halls and a variety of public meetings which covered various topics such as economic development, historical preservation, and block grant allocation. She learned the value of a Constituent Service Office and was able to assist the office caseworker with research for the Congresswoman.  Sarah Grace Patrick was an intern at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission in Washington, D.C. She worked on press release and research studies for the organization. One of her main tasks was reading the Agriculture Appropriations Bill where she learned more about agriculture policy than she could imagine.  Haiven Potts work with and for two different non-profits this summer. One was through a Go-trip across the world in South Africa, and the other was in her hometown, Lawrenceburg, TN. The Dream Center in South Africa serves vulnerable at-risk children providing education reinforcement, vocational training, and leadership development. The Lawrence County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition provides many resources to all people groups in Lawrence County in hopes of achieving a drug-free county. Through this, she mainly worked with TN Camp Thrive which is a yearlong camp for children that aims to provide resources and opportunities as a prevention effort to children who would otherwise not get them. Through her work, she learned  the function, funding, and impact of two different non-profits in two very different locations and cultures. Unfortunately, the same evil exists all around the world. Kids she worked with in South Africa have some of the same trauma as those she worked with in her own backyard. Though this evil does exist, she realizes even more so God’s goodness exists. Glory be to God for the work done to provide for His children. May their efforts be fruitful and honoring to Him. Aryanna Highfill also spent her summer interning with Concerned Women for America in Washington, C.C. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=701 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=701 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 CST <div itemprop="articleBody" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"&rt; <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti approaches his role with a deep conviction in objective truth, a belief that has guided him through many high-profile legal challenges and keeps him grounded as he faces scrutiny as attorney general. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;“Our system is predicated on a very Christian idea, which is that everybody is equal before the law,” he said. “That comes from the idea that everybody is made in the image of God, and everybody has fallen short of the glory of God. And we are similarly situated in that respect.” <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;Skrmetti visited 91爆料网 April 28 for a discussion about his life, faith and the recent Supreme Court case bearing his name. The event was a partnership between 91爆料网 and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;Interviewed by ERLC President Brent Leatherwood, Skrmetti discussed his start as a lawyer in Connecticut, his move to Memphis where he came to a transformative faith in Christ and met his wife and his eventual appointment as Tennessee attorney general. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;Skrmetti said he often finds inspiration from the apostle Paul’s visit to the Areopagus. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;“He showed that you can evangelize by engaging in debate with people, by articulating your positions clearly,” Skrmetti said. “He was able to win over some hearts when he did that. And he was able to bring people to the Lord, but he was also able to set an example.” <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;He described how Paul was thoughtful, patient and persistent and modeled Christ with clarity, humility and love even in the face of great opposition. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;“I aspire to engage in that way.” Skrmetti said. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;Most recently, Skrmetti is listed as a defendant in the Supreme Court case U.S. v. Skrmetti, in which his team is defending Tennessee’s authority, under law, to protect children. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;SB1/HB1 was the first bill introduced into both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly in 2023. The General Assembly considered the bill, which prohibits doctors from providing hormone treatments, puberty blockers or surgeries for the purpose of gender transition for minors. After hearing evidence, it passed the bill with bipartisan support. It was signed into law in March. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;In April 2023, Lambda Legal, in collaboration with the American Civil Liberties 91爆料网 and other groups, filed a lawsuit against the State of Tennessee challenging the law. After a series of legal challenges, the plaintiffs asked the Supreme Court to hear the case, and on Dec. 4, 2024, both sides presented their oral arguments to the court. A decision is expected by June of this year. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;Although the law is challenged as a violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, Skrmetti believes the case is about more than that. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;“It goes to a fundamental question about humanity and reality,” he said. “The gender ideology we’re dealing with is basically a modern form of Gnosticism. It’s the idea that the self and the subjective view of the world controls everything. It is rabidly hostile toward any contravention from an objective reality.” <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;Skrmetti believes that gender identity ideology goes beyond a cultural issue. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;“It’s a philosophical issue. It’s a theological issue,” he said. “But right now, the point of the spear and confrontation with this ideology is the courtroom.” <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;Winning the court is the way to winning the culture, he added, indicating that the nation is at a “pivotal moment” when it comes to gender ideology. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;91爆料网 President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver thanked Skrmetti for coming to campus and sharing a small glimpse into the cultural battles shaping Tennessee and the nation. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"&rt;“What we understand is that questions about what it means to be human are the questions that our culture is going to grapple with for the next 15 to 20 years,” Oliver said. “And we want 91爆料网 to be a place where those conversations are grounded in a biblical framework.” <div&rt;By Jenny White from 91爆料网's Webpage</div&rt; </div&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=699 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=699 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 CST  This year, 91爆料网 graduated five students. At our December graduation, Emily Turner of Franklin, Ohio graduates. Emily was our Civic Engagement Award Winner in 2024 due to her work in pro-life and Republican campaigns. She worked this Spring and will attend Northern Kentuck University Law School this fall on a scholarship.  This Spring, the department graduates four students. Evan O'Brien of Binghamton, NY completed Discipline Specific Honors and was the John Burgess Award Winner for Oustanding Work in Politicall Science. At 91爆料网, he was active in Lambda Chi fraternity and Young Americans for Freedom. This semster, he interned ini the District Attorney's office. He was accepted into Albany Law School. He is debating whether to attend law school or try federal law enforcement.  Olivia Shaw of Mansfield, Texas was one of 91爆料网's best debators over the past four years. She won the Academic Excellence Medal and the Oustanding Major Award. She will be getting married in June and then hopes to law the foundation for starting a non-profit organization to serve children.  Cam Champine of Jackson, TN will be moving to Indiana this summer to attend law school at Indiana University. He received a full-ride scholarship to attend there. He was a double major in Political Science and Communication and was active in Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.  Fay Pramoj of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Thailand will be headed to the Pacific Northwest. She will work for a shipping company in Seattle.  We appreciate our seniors and pray God's blessings on them as they begin the next chapter of their lives.    http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=698 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=698 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Wed, 07 May 2025 00:00:00 CST  <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"&rt;Recently, 91爆料网 alum Logan McGoy of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce spoke to the State and Local Government class about the team approach to recruiting business to Jackson Madison County. He said the goal of the chamber is to build the tax base, recruit jobs, and improve the quality of life in the area. He told us they seek to recruit jobs above the state median wage to provide good, high quality, enduring jobs . The chamber has brought in $2 billion in investments and 4192 jobs the past five years. He also explained how they recruit businesses to West TN and what is important to these industries.</span&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=697 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=697 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 CST  <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"&rt;Today, Jody Pickens, the District Attorney in Jackson, spoke to the State and Local Government class. Contrary to what people think, his job is not just to prosecute criminals. He sees his job as protecting the innocent and pursuing the guilty.</span&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;He told the class that DAs serve eight-year terms. The extended term is designed to lesson the importance of politics in prosecutorial decisions. His office has 52 employees, including 18 attorneys. His office is broken down into divisions for child support, domestic abuse/sexual assault, DUI and vehicular homicides, and gang crime. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;In talking about gang crime, he told us that gang crime is worse than it has ever been because we are in the 4<sup&rt;th</sup&rt; and 5<sup&rt;th</sup&rt; generation of gang members. In the 1990s, kids had parents or grandparents who taught them that there is another way to live. Some of the new gang members have grown up only knowing gangs which leads them to have few restraints which makes them more violent. He also talked about how gangs target the Hispanic community because many people will not report crime because they are here illegally and fear getting deported. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;He also talked about drug crimes. He claims there are not non-violent drug offenders because once someone gets hooked on drugs, they will do anything to get the money for the drugs which leads to violent crime. He also talked about how gangs have added fentanyl to their drugs to give users a stronger fix. However, there is poor quality control in putting the drugs together which leads to a lot of deaths. He also told us that I-40 has two lanes. East I-40 is the drug side as the drugs are coming to Tennessee from other areas. I-40 West is the money side of the interstate as the money is returning to the drug producers. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;Finally, he spoke about addressing domestic violence. He has one ADA work on these cases. Most abuse victims are women and are leery of talking to men. So, his ADA is at the safe hope center and works with the staff there to get the victim the treatment and justice they deserve. By working there, the ADA can build trust with the victim and get the information needed for a conviction. His office has also got $330 million in child support for children in the last 25 years. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=696 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=696 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Sun, 06 Apr 2025 00:00:00 CST       <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"&rt; Jackson Mayor Scott Conger spoke this week to Dr. Evans' State and Local Government class. He talked about how he was the CEO</span&rt; <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"&rt;of the city with 911 employees and a $98 million budget. He told us the only city official that he does not appoint is the City Recorder but he gets to recommend a person to the City Council for the job and gets a veto if he doe snot like the council nominee. </span&rt; <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"&rt;           After breaking down the city budget, he explained that a mayor’s job involves something different every day which is why he likes the job. He also talked about how he works with the council, regional governments, state government, and his plans for Jackson in the future. He expects Jackson to add 10,000 people in the next decade which requires important planning to manage the growth well. </span&rt; <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"&rt;            Most importantly, he taught us two important lessons. First, treat everyone’s concern as important because when they contact the mayor’s office, that issue is very important to them. Second, he told us that his greatest joy as mayor was putting handicap swings in the parks. The sheer joy of seeing the joy someone felt to swing for the first time ever reminds us that politics, at its heart, is about helping people.</span&rt;   http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=695 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=695 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 CST  <span style="font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"&rt;Aryanna Highfill has had a rough semester. The junior public relations major has been betrayed by some of her closest friends, sat underneath a manipulative dictator and is about to lose her entire country by force through a coup.</span&rt; All within the realm of the board game, Diplomacy. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;Diplomacy is “if Risk and Monopoly had a baby, and then you put it in real life,” according to her dual enrollment classmate, Grady Allen. “I spend a minimum of eight hours a week on it, and then some over the weekend.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;It’s a cutthroat game based around World War I that’s a race to the top, securing a win by submitting orders each round and obtaining 18 territories over the course of however long you want it to be. In the case of Seth Brake, it’s all semester. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;Brake is a professor of Political Science at 91爆料网, and the game began in his international relations class. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“It’s kinda notorious in political science circles because of the way it exposes people to the harsh realities of international relations,” Brake said. “The use of the board game itself in this context isn’t necessarily novel, but what is interesting is the way we use it to explore IR theory at the more basic level.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;Though they’re also using it to explore a little more than just theories. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“It’s notorious for ruining friendships too,” Highfill said. “And Professor Brake tells us that. But it genuinely does affect a lot more than you would think.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;Brake’s students are also writing reflections on the game throughout the semester, examining what they both think and feel about what’s going on. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“They’re applying concepts from the class to their specific moves and assignments,” Brake said. “And we’re using it to explore some of the more difficult questions in international relations, like basic things about power.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;The potentially dark answers to these questions are Highfill’s core issue with the game. But that’s Brake’s whole point — he’s trying to create an environment where students’ morals and boundaries will be tested, forcing them to make hard decisions. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“I’ve tried to teach these concepts in various ways, and it seems like this is one of those things that you really can’t understand until you’ve experienced it yourself, to some degree,” Brake said. “The game helps you explore why people in real life make these sacrifices, even when it’s uncomfortable.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;But Highfill does have experience with these issues in real life, as her dad served as part of the 81st Airborne Division in Iraq. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“Growing up the slogan of the division was ‘sleep safely, because the 81st Airborne Division always has your back,’” Highfill said. “It’s this idea that we can sleep at night because other men out there are willing to make ethical sacrifices to keep us safe. And I’m thankful for that because I would never be able to make those sacrifices.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;This still doesn’t change Highfill’s opinion of the game any though, as it’s still had its fair share of personal effects on her. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“This game has made me so cynical,” Highfill said. “I thought it was just a fun way to learn at first, but as it all progresses, you begin to realize that even if it is ‘just a game,’ it’s actually reflecting individual people’s character. Especially since it’s not just a one-time thing — it’s a game that lasts the entire semester.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“You have to place real life in the game,” Allen agreed. “I take it a little more seriously because if you’re serious about politics, you have to.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;Grady Allen is a dual enrollment student at 91爆料网 with a bright future ahead of him. At just 17 years old, he already has the intelligent personality for politics, both intellectually and emotionally. He also already knows that this is the calling the Lord has placed on his life. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“It’s weird for me because my classmates are going back to their dorms and talking to their roommates about the game, and I’m going home and talking to my sister,” Allen said. “I feel lucky being able to push myself by taking this class with the excuse of still being a teenager.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;Playing the game has also further confirmed his vocation, continuing to encourage his ability to healthily make these decisions — just like Brake intended. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“Diplomacy itself has made me want to be a diplomat more than ever,” Allen said. “It’s kinda prideful, but I’ve realized through this game that I’m pretty good at diplomatic strategies.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;But what might be the strangest part about the whole thing is that this class isn’t hosting the only Diplomacy game being played on campus. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“Yeah, there’s a group that started their own Diplomacy game,” Highfill said. “They’re playing just for fun. But I don’t know why you’d do it for fun.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“I think it’s a blast,” freshman digital media communications major Liv Keathly said. “I love Diplomacy. But I didn’t even know what it was until a few months ago. And I kinda still don’t know what’s going on. I just know we hate Austria.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;She and a friend were recruited by one of her classmates, gamemaster and freshman business administration major Dowen Campbell. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“We went to Goodwill and pulled up in fake mustaches and thrifted blazers,” Keathly said. “People thought we were cosplaying Undercover Barbie or something.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;She’s fought through the oft-brutal nature of the game and made it into a positive thing. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“It’s been a really great opportunity to meet new people,” Keathly said. “We started giving people candy and stickers and lollipops. We made friendship bracelets. One guy had a birthday and so we brought him a letter. And now I’ve met people in frats and chess clubs. People from all over the place.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;Campbell got the game for Christmas and simply wanted to play it with his friends. He had no idea the game was also homework in Brake’s class. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“I just really like the strategy of it,” Campbell said. “It’s a very well-made game. I started playing it on my phone a few years ago and then totally forgot about it. Then I just randomly remembered it, and put it on my wishlist for this year.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;Despite its surprisingly widespread popularity outside of the classroom, Brake didn’t realize other people even knew about the game. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“There are other people playing it on campus?” Brake asked me. “It’s a dangerous game, so I hope people play it responsibly. I take some comfort in knowing I can keep things controlled in the classroom, but you know, have at it. It’s a fun game. Maybe the students that survive this class will be able to explain why things are happening to them.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;For the students who do survive until the end, there’s a reward in store. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“Whoever wins the game gets an automatic A on the final,” Brake said. “It started out as a way to get students interested for the first few weeks, but now I think they’re all invested, whether they want to be or not.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;However, there’s always a chance that tragedy might strike. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“It’s also possible that nobody wins before the semester is over,” Brake said. “I think there are some people who are banking on that, but we’ll just have to see.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;So while the game’s popularity might be up for debate in the classroom, it’s still unanimously loved on the outside. <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“We’re doing a turn a week right now, but it’s kinda slowing down,” Campbell said. “People are just getting really busy, so I don’t know what the future of it is. We’re gonna try to keep it going for as long as we can. It’d be crazy if it just ended up going all four years.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;“I would love it if it went for all four years,” Keathly said. “I’ll be here, so I’m down.” <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"&rt;Sam Boger wrote this article for the March 17 edition of 91爆料网's Cardinal & Cream http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=691 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=691 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 CST  <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"&rt;This week, Dr. Evans’ State and Local Government class went to Nashville to tour the Capitol and meet with political officials.</span&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;The first person that the class spoke with is Brandon Gibson, who is the Chief Operating Officer of the state. She told students that politics is all about relationships. She told them the adage of “When you have the money, you don’t have the time. When you have time, you don’t have the money.” When she was starting her legal career, she did not have as much money and spent a lot of time volunteering for the Madison County Republican Party. She used this to make contacts which helped her late. As she became more successful, she continued to nurture her contacts, but she was busier and so made connections by giving money. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;When asked about important lessons she has learned from politics, the first lesson is “see the long game.” We sometimes get caught up in what is going on right now when we need to look beyond a longer horizon. The governor and the state need to plan ahead and realize that the work that you do now puts one in place to be successful later. Second, tell your story better. A lot of politics is about public relations, so she tells commissioners that they need to tell their story better to get the attention they need and convince the public of their success. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;Next, students heard from Michael Hendrix and Bess Blackburn of the Governor’s policy office. Blackburn said that policy has two major questions: what can we do and what should we do? The idea is that we should always focus on what we should do but realize that we cannot always achieve that. In the policy office, she said that they start planning for the policies they will promote for the next year as soon as the legislature leaves. Then, they have the “good idea factory” between August and December when they narrow down the policies they want to change. Overall, she said governors prefer executive action over legislation because the legislature sometimes will pass policies that are not what they think are best. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;Finally, Blackburn spoke about how she got into the policy office. She was always interested in philosophy and wanted to make it practical, which led her to politics. She worked some in politics and eventually went to law school. The summer before she graduated, she interned with Governor Lee’s office and was offered a job when she graduated. She concluded by telling students that she is a woman of faith and that she sometimes struggles with some things in politics. However, she always remembers Prime Minister William Pitt’s advice to William Wilberforce, the Christian leader who helped end slavery in Great Britain: “You don’t have to choose to use your beautiful voice to praise the lord - or change the world. You can do both.” <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;Next, 91爆料网 alum Matthew Grove spoke. Grove is the legislative liaison for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. He said that he always wanted to do politics and worked in campaign throughout his time at 91爆料网. His first job was with the Office of Faith Based Initiatives but that was not political enough for him, so he sought and found a job as legislative liaison. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;Grove told us about his job. During the session, he reviews bills to see if they will affect the department. If the department does not like the bill, they will try to kill Democratic bills but amend Republican bills. Sometimes, they remain neutral on bills because they do not want to upset legislators. They do this in the hope that the Budget Subcommittee bill will not fund it and thus let the bill die. He also says that he has even left a committee room to avoid being called to testify so he does not upset legislators. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;Next, the class went to the Department of Economic and Community Development on the 27<sup&rt;th</sup&rt; floor of the Snodgrass Tower. There we spoke to 91爆料网 alum Kirby Lewis-Gill and Assistant Commissioner Brooxie Carlton. Kirby told us about how they recruit companies to Tennessee and his work with rural development. Carlton spoke to us about the community development grants that they give out. Most of this money comes from the federal government and they were not sure how much they could give out because of the work of DOGE. She also spoke about how Tennessee’s water infrastructure is crumbling. The federal government provided money for sewer systems in the 1960s but local utilities did not want to raise rates for maintenance. Because of this, we need to replace a lot of lines but neither the state nor utilities have the money to do this. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;Our last speaker was 91爆料网 alum J.D. Cressman. He is the general counsel for the Tennessee Department of the Military. He spoke of how he went to law school, worked a lot in politics, got a job with the Comptroller General’s Office and eventually moved to the Department of the Military. He spoke to the class about his work getting federal aid to Tennessee after the floods in East Tennessee and the more recent tornados because the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is under that department. Regarding the flood money, he talked about how his office worked 48 hours straight to write the rules to get the federal government to provide the aid. He used this example to show how important government is to the average citizen. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;Finally, Dr. Evans tried to remember his time as a legislative intern and gave students a tour of the State Capitol. The class then went to the Cordell Hull building and watched the Senate Judiciary Committee debate several bills before returning to campus.<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=694 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=694 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 CST           Today, 91爆料网 alum Ericka King, the Director of National Affairs and Government Relations for Kentucky Farm Bureau, spoke to Dr. Evans' State and Local Government class about lobbying. <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;She told students that protests and boycotts only get you so far in securing policy change. Without follow-up and follow through, your cause will likely fade away. Successful groups have stakeholders involved – people with the time, knowledge, connections, and resources (especially financial) to pursue the change you want to see. This is where interests groups and lobbyists come into play.<o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing"&rt;                She said that, generally, there are two main types of interest group. There are associations that are either professional associations or issue specific groups and membership organizations like Kentucky Farm Bureau. She then talked about how lobbyists are of two kinds. Contract lobbyists work for a firm or themselves and have multiple clients and are always looking to sign more clients. In-house lobbyists work for organizations, associations, universities, large companies – and they have no other clients. She is an in-house lobbyist. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing"&rt;                Overall, she claimed that a lobbyist’s greatest resource is his/her network and ability to build and maintain relationships. Without these relationships, one cannot speak to officials when they need to bring an issue before them. This means, many times, that you interact with officials on a non-policy basis as a means of building that relationship. If a lobbyist just shows up when they want something, that communicates that the lobbyist is using that person. She talks about how she shows up to meetings around the state and in DC to interact with people, even if she is not lobbying per se. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing"&rt;                She then talked about the general process for accomplishing your policy goal. First, one must identify the issue. Each lobbyist must make sure they know exactly what the problem is they want to fix. Second, determine if it is federal or state issue (sometimes it can be both). Third, clearly define your “ask.” Have a clear, tangible solution for your issue. And don’t forget to develop background documents with facts to support your ask. Fourth, identify the stakeholders or who is impacted by the issue. Identify these people and connect with them because they will be your coalition of support. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;Fifth, find a legislative champion. Groups need a member of Congress or the general assembly to carry the issue for you in the legislature. They might be from your district or state, or you might have to find someone from the committee of jurisdiction (e.g., House or Senate Ag Committee). Regardless, they need to have a reason to buy-in. Sixth, get your bill (or regulatory language) drafted. Seventh, mobilize your coalition to build support for your bill (or whatever your ask is). This mobilization may involve stakeholders calling, writing, or visiting legislators to get bill cosponsors and securing votes of support (or votes of opposition, depending on the issue). Finally, keep the coalition engaged to get your “ask” across the finish line. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"&rt;She then explained how she worked with other groups to get disaster relief for farmers across the finish line in about three months in 2024. She said that it usually takes more time, but they were able to build enough support and use the votes of members from farming districts to force the Congress to provide relief. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=693 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=693 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 CST                  Five Political Science students attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C. this year. Each year, 91爆料网 sends multiple students to this event. This year, five of our majors attended – Lydia Agee, Anna LaPour, Sarah Grace Patrick, Carmen Rubado, and Quinton Stephenson. <p class="MsoNoSpacing"&rt;                The students marched on a very cold January day. Before the march, students heard from political leaders, abortion survivors, mothers, and previous abortionists. Some of the students thought the event was somewhat surreal because while they were marching, others who supported abortion countermarched. Even though people yell at each other, they remained civil during the march. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing"&rt;                After the march, students attended the National Pro-Life Summit to learn how to advance pro-life issues. Overall, they heard from Vice President J.D. Vance, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Dr. Ben Carson, and many more. At the summit, students learned of legislative efforts to restrict abortion, the best way to communicate pro-life views, and how to think through pro-life issues beyond abortion. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing"&rt;                One student, Carmen Rubado, has committed to furthering her work in the pro-life movement. She is increasing her involvement with Life139 on campus, networking with other pro-life leaders across the nation, and working through a tailored leadership guide for those within the pro-life movement provided by leaders of 40 Days for Life. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=692 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=692 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:00:00 CST                  Last night, the department hosted its second Mini-Gold Tournament at Three Rivers Golf in Three Way. Unlike our last tournament which had Scotland like weather, we had good weather which led Jack Brady to become the Scottie Scheffler of Mini-Golf. <p class="MsoNoSpacing"&rt;<span style="mso-tab-count:1"&rt;                </span&rt;It was a close race between Brady and freshman Anna LaPour for most of the night. Yet, Brady was consistent enough to win with a 49 even though LaPour improved in the back nine while Brady did slightly worse on the back nine. LaPour, who played on the golf team in high school, came in second. Quinton Stephenson came in third thanks to a hole-in-one* on hole 17. Dr. Evans would have been more competitive except he was not able to come back from his disaster on the second hole. He continued to sink long putts to improve by 4 strokes in his second nine to come in fourth. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing"&rt;<span style="mso-tab-count:1"&rt;                </span&rt;The department only had three holes-in-one. Anna sank the first hole-in-one on # 11 followed by Jack on #15. Quinton’s hole-in-one was either lucky or providential. He hit the ball within a couple of feet on #17. Then Katie Mullins provided the assist as her ball knocked Quinton’s ball into the hole. Thus, we place an * next to his hole-in-one because while he did only hit the ball once, his putt did not go in the hole. Stephenson claims a hole-in-one is a hole-in-one regardless of how it happens. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; <p class="MsoNoSpacing"&rt;<span style="mso-tab-count:1"&rt;                </span&rt;Regardless of the rankings, all had fun, even as they raced to scoop their balls out of the water before Dr. Evans could get photographic evidence of their mistake. We look forward to next year’s tournament to see if Brady can defend his title. <o:p&rt;</o:p&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=690 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=690 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at 91爆料网) Fri, 20 Sep 2024 00:00:00 CST