Hooks Civics Roundtable
The Constitution, the Nation, and You
A new course offered by The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change
Sign Up Here!
To help facilitate and promote the understanding of the interplay between civics, democracy, and civic responsibility, the Hooks Institute is offering a course on Civics: Hooks_1101. The course will feature exploration of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights and the Reconstruction Amendments. Additionally, students will learn about Federalism and the relationships and reponsibilities of local, state, and federal governments as well as economic and polictical systems globally and historically.
Students who complete four (4) of the six (6) classes can receive on their transcript the grade of “S” (Satisfactory), with 0 credit and 0 hours. The transcript acknowledgement demonstrates that the student has taken course on the foundational history of the United States and its continuing impact on the nation.
The course is limited to 25 students on a first-come, first-served basis.
Classes begin on Friday, September 11.
Course Description
Hooks_0111: The Constitution, the Nation and You
Location: Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change, Wilder Tower, 11th Floor
Class Time: Fridays, September 11 – October 23, 12:30 PM – 1:40 PM
Lunch Provided
Presenters:
Daphene R. McFerren, J.D., is the executive director of the Hooks Institute. Prior to joining the Hooks Institute, she was an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice and held the positions of trial attorney; counsel to the U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, and Assistant United States Attorney.
Dr. Elena Delavega is a Professor of Social Work at the University of Memphis, where she teaches and researches social welfare policy. Dr. Delavega is a 2025 Fulbright Scholar, and a long-time associate of the Hooks Institute.
Dr. Brooke Shannon is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at the University of Memphis. She teaches courses in American government, local and state politics, and public policy. Dr Shannon studies federalism, urban politics, and public policy, and is writing a book called The City Agenda, that explains how and why city councils make policy.