October 03, 2008
Melone to deliver Emeritus Faculty Lecture
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Albert P. Melone, a professor emeritus of political science at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will deliver the 2008 Emeritus Faculty Lecture later this month.
Melone’s lecture, “The Presidency on Steroids: How We Lost Our Way and Lessons We Should Relearn,” is at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the Hiram H. Lesar Law Building auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Melone will examine the intellectual missteps that justify the expansive but controversial view of presidential power in contemporary America, according to event organizers. Melone also will trace the history of the balance of constitutional powers among the branches of government, and discuss how mistaken ideas have influenced the exercise of presidential authority. He will critically analyze these developments with a view toward discerning the lessons needed to carry on with our constitutional democracy.
Melone’s 36-year teaching career includes 26 years at SIUC, where he first came as a visiting associate professor in 1979. Melone earned his doctorate in political science from the University of Iowa, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from California State University.
Melone is the author of many books, articles, chapters in collected works, and book reviews dealing with judicial politics and behavior, judicial processes, law and courts, comparative government and judicial politics, constitutional law, and interest group politics. He continues his research and writing and otherwise occupies his time with consultative activity, and as a member of two social service boards of directors.
Melone’s latest co-authored volume is a comprehensive textbook now in its second edition, “The American Legal System: Perspectives, Politics, Processes, and Policies.”