In 2003, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock taught the first college course on the Clinton Presidency. During that course, CSPAN recorded each class and made them publicly available online. This course was made possible with the help of former President of the University of Arkansas system, Alan Sugg, Chancellor of UALR Joel Anderson, and professor of political science at UALR, Peggy Scranton. Below are descriptions of each class, along with links to view those classes online.
Class 1: (January 16, 2003)
The first class of the series was an introduction to studying the Clinton presidency and to the 1990s. First Dr. Scranton lectured on ‘Why Study the Clinton Presidency.’ Then Dr. Bass, a presidential scholar, gave a presentation on ‘How Political Scientists Study a Presidency.’ Dr. Scranton interviewed Dr. Bass and he responded to student questions and comments. Dr. Scranton introduced Dr. Alsobrook, the director of the Clinton Presidential Materials Project who was formerly at the Bush and Carter libraries. Dr. Alsobrook gave a presentation and led a discussion on ‘Presidential Libraries and the Materials they Contain.’
Class 2: (January 23, 2003) Governor Clinton and the Arkansas Years
Professor Scranton and early aides to Former President Clinton spoke to students about his early career in politics, early political campaigns, and his political roots in Arkansas. One focus was on educational reform in Arkansas. During their remarks they answered questions from the students.
Class 3: (January 30, 2003) 1992 Presidential Election
Professor Scranton and the guest speakers talked about the 1992 election, including events leading up to the election, the primary, and President Clinton’s political experiences prior to 1992. They also responded to questions from the students.
Class 4: (February 6, 2003) Transition to the Presidency
During the fourth meeting of the class on the Clinton presidency, Professor Scranton and the guest speakers talked about presidential transition, appointments, and the cabinet. They also responded to questions from the students.
Class 5: (February 13, 2003) Polarized Reactions in Public Opinion and the Media
Journalists talked about public perceptions of the Clinton presidency and the ways in which citizens, the media, and politicians had portrayed his presidency. They responded to questions and comments from Dr. Scranton and the students.
Class 6: (February 20, 2003) President Clinton’s Health Care Reform Plan
The topic of the sixth meeting of the class on the Clinton presidency was President Clinton’s health care reform plan. This was used as a case study for the use of primary source materials and as a study of presidential power. Dr. Scranton presented archival documents and the class analyzed health care television advertisements. Dr. Scranton also presented Neustadt’s Presidential Power Framework.
Class 7: (February 27, 2003) The Vice Presidency and Al Gore
Professor Nelson spoke about President Clinton’s political and working relationship with Vice President Gore, the role of the vice president, and political deal-making. He also responded to questions from students in the class.
Class 8: (March 6, 2003) 1994 and 1998 Midterm Elections and Re-election in 1996
The guests talked about the elections of 1994, 1996, and 1998, including the strategies employed by Democrats and Republicans and the causes of the election outcomes.
Class 9: (March 13, 2003) The Economy
The topic for this meeting of the class on the Clinton presidency was the economy. Mr. Sperling talked about the economy as both a campaign issue and a governing issue.
Class 10: (March 20, 2003) Clinton Doctrine and Foreign Policy
The topic of this meeting of the class on the Clinton presidency was foreign policy, including the Clinton doctrine, the use of force, and the national interest. Professor Scranton gave a presentation and responded to questions from the class.
Class 11: (Apr 3, 2003) Impeachment
The topic for this class meeting was the impeachment of President Clinton and impeachment in general. Mr. DiPippa moderated the class. Mr. Ewing talked about the role of the independent counsel in impeachment, and issues and legal questions faced by the independent counsel’s office. Mr. Kendall gave his perspective on the impeachment of President Clinton, focusing on the constitutional and institutional issues surrounding the impeachment. The guests responded to questions from the class and the professors.
Class 12: (April 10, 2003) The Role of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Wrap-up Discussion of Impeachment featuring floor speeches by Rep. Henry Hyde and former Sen. Dale Bumpers
Dr. Wekkin discussed his research on first ladies, focusing particularly on Hillary Rodham Clinton. He used the Health Care Task Force documents in the Clinton Presidential Materials Project for his research on Hillary Clinton as first lady and also interviewed several members of her White House staff. Dr. Scranton led the class in a discussion of impeachment, focusing on audio clips of floor speeches by Representative Henry Hyde, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and leader of the House impeachment managers, and by former Senator Dale Bumpers.
Class 13: (April 17, 2003) Gen. Clark: Coercive Diplomacy, NATO and Modern War in Kosovo
The subject of this meeting of the class on the Clinton presidency was coercive diplomacy. General Clark talked about his book Waging Modern War: Bosnia, Kosovo, and the Future of Combat, published by Public Affairs. He discussed his experiences as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, SACEUR, and NATO’s intervention in Kosovo. A student panel asked General Clark questions and Professor Scranton also interviewed the general.
Class 14: (April 24, 2003) Health Care Reform
The topic of this meeting of the class on the Clinton presidency was the politics of health care reform. Dr. Elders served as Surgeon General in 1993 and 1994. She argued the case for universal health coverage and was a spokesperson for President Clinton’s health care reform effort. Mr. Jennings served under Former President Clinton as senior health policy advisor and deputy assistant for domestic policy. While serving in the administration, his primary role was to develop and incorporate the president’s health care initiatives.
Class 15: (May 1, 2003) Domestic Policy and the Post Presidency
Ms. Rasco spoke about President Clinton’s domestic policy. Currently, Ms Rasco is Senior Advisor to U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley and Director of the America Reads Challenge. Prior to this position, she served for four years as Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. Ms. Rasco is from Arkansas and worked as Clinton’s chief policy advisor in the Arkansas Governor’s office for ten years, serving as his Senior Executive Assistant. From 1985 through 1992, she was also Governor Clinton’s liaison to the National Governors’ Association. Dr. Johanna Miller Lewis, chair of the UALR History Department, interviewed Skip Rutherford and Bruce Lindsey about former President Clinton’s post-presidency. Mr. Rutherford is president of the Clinton Presidential Foundation, and spoke about the Clinton Presidential Library, the Clinton School of Public Service, and the pre-opening activities sponsored by the foundation. Mr. Lindsey has been one of Clinton’s closest policy and political advisers from his years as governor to the present. He served as Deputy White House Counsel from 1992-2001, throughout Clinton’s two terms. Mr. Lindsey spoke about former President Clinton’s activities after the presidency.
End of Semester class with President Clinton (May 23, 2003)
Following a semester-long class on the Clinton presidency and his political career, President Clinton talked to students and others about his political experiences in the White House, current events, and the political process. Among the topics he addressed were advocating a political agenda, presidential and midterm elections, economic policy, the meaning of polls, foreign policy issues, and the role of Commander-in-Chief. During the meeting he answered questions from class members.
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