Date: Thursdays, September 1, October 6, November 3, & December 1
Time: 2 - 4:30 PM
Place: ISU, Eugene Debs Museum
451 N 8th St, Terre Haute
Cost: $20

The fundamental questions posed by Eugene Victor Debs in his writings and speeches are still relevant almost a hundred years after his death. This four-session class will focus on the four major guiding principles of his political philosophy and campaigns. This class will be a mix of presentation, video illustrations and tours of the collection of the historic Debs House. Readings and additional materials will be distributed before class begins.

 The topics posed as questions for discussion will be:
September 1: Does unionism contribute to a healthy community? Against the background of a surge in union organizing, how can we assess the contributions an organized workforce makes to create an environment produces a society of collective responsibility? Is there evidence that unions pose obstacles to economic progress and social unity?
October 6: Is war necessary? With trillions of dollars dedicated to defense while social spending is curtailed, can we justify a continuing and growing military involvement in the world? Would the United States be left vulnerable if we disengaged from our military commitment in other countries?
November 3: Is the economic system of Capitalism able to meet the increasing human needs of the twenty-first century? The pandemic laid bare the inadequacies of the United States’ health system and the growing disparity between the rich and the poor. To what extent are these connected to a profit-driven system?
December 1: Should we abolish the current prison system? Recent reports of overcrowding, distressing conditions, the preponderance of Black and Latino inmates and the brutal behavior in US prisons have led to a movement to go beyond reform to the abolition of the way we house and treat a population deemed criminal by law and society. At the same time, the increasing number of crimes has led to building of private prisons, especially in areas suffering from unemployment.