UB to Offer Telecourse On "The American Presidency"

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Millard Fillmore College (MFC) at the University at Buffalo and Adelphia International Cable will attempt to help Western New Yorkers understand the presidential impeachment proceedings in Washington by offering a telecourse on "The American Presidency" to viewers only days after the material is discussed in the classroom.

The three-credit course, to begin Jan. 26, will be taught by Jim Twombly, UB assistant professor of political science.

The telecourse is open to the Western New York community for the cost of regular UB tuition, plus fees based upon student status. It also will be available to members of the public who can view the televised class sessions at no charge but without receiving academic credit.

"This is intended as a community service from UB to help everyone understand the recent headlines in greater depth," said James Anderson, director of instructional technology at MFC. "It also is a great opportunity for regular and non-traditional students to take a UB telecourse in their home."

Twombly, a popular political commentator, said the timely course is not a history class, but rather "a look at the American presidency as an institution shaped by the individuals who occupy the office." He added that he is going to alter his syllabus for the course by beginning with the topic of impeachment.

MFC offers several other telecourses on local cable television, but this is the first time a telecourse has been offered directly from a UB classroom with a taped delay of only a few days.

Those registering for credit are required to have Internet access. For more information, go to the class Web page at .

The class sessions will be taped at UB on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and will air at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and 11 p.m. on Sundays, repeating at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. the following Saturdays.

To register for credit, call MFC at 829-2202 and register for PSC 306 Section "T" of "The American Presidency."