Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007
Dr. Shannon Smithey, ¾¨Ó㴫ý assistant professor of political science, will speak at Faculty Forum Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 11:40 a.m. in the Sebastian Mueller Theater in the McKelvey Campus Center. The event is free and open to the public.
Her topic is "The Role of Constitutional Courts in Emerging Democracies."
"Many scholars and politicians view judicial power as hostile to, or bad for, democracy," Smithey said. "Evidence from the new democracies in Eastern Europe suggests to the contrary that constitutional courts can play an important democracy enhancing role. Analysis of court cases involving judicial oversight of elections and other democratic processes in Lithuania and the Czech Republic reveals the important role judges can play in fostering democracy."
Smithey has been with ¾¨Ó㴫ý since 2003. She earned undergraduate degrees from Southern Methodist University and her master's and Ph.D. from Ohio State University.
Faculty Forum, established in 1990, serves as a venue for the exchange of ideas and information among ¾¨Ó㴫ý faculty. Speakers present their research, teaching ideas, lectures, performances, special programs, and uses of technology to keep faculty informed about the work of colleagues from many disciplines.
Contact Smithey at (724) 946-6247 or e-mail smithesi@westminster.edu for additional information.Â
