R E N N Y . F U L C O

The following feature story appeared in the campus publication MOSAIC in November, 1996.

Renny Fulco

Interpreting politics in the classroom and on the air

As a guest commentator for the first Presidential debate this election season, held at Hartford's Horace Bushnell Memorial Hall last month, Senior Lecturer in Women's Studies and Public Policy Adrienne Fulco found herself not only in the rarefied company of National Public Radio's (NPR) most respected reporters but also quite literally in the middle of a typical syllabus for one of her courses. "I told the people at NPR, 'You're not going to believe this. I actually assign you to my students because of the quality of the commentary!'" she said.

Fulco encourages her students to listen to NPR's commentary as a contemporary exploration of the historical issues they examine in her constitutional law, political thought, and legal theory classes.

Thrilled by her role in NPR's coverage of the October 6 debate, Fulco believes she was invited to participate because of her knowledge of the issues, her experience as a frequent political commentator for Hartford-area radio and television, and because Trinity was the academic sponsor of the event. "It was very exciting. I met with people I really admire. The debate itself had an atmosphere that was palpable," she said.

Neal Conan, moderator of NPR's debate commentary, said he was fortunate to work with Fulco. "She was extremely well-informed and hit her mark like a pro. She's a bright young voice with the maturity to leaven her enthusiasm," Conan said. "If we have people of her quality teaching at places around the country now, it should be a very interesting place in 20 years."

The Federalist Papers

Fulco believes that her participation in events like NPR's debate analysis provides a bridge between the issues and principles she teaches in the classroom and the real world of politics where decisions are made. "If you want to be an informed citizen in this society, you need to know these things. You need to think about them and you need to formulate your own opinions," she said. "In my 'American Political Thought' course, I try to get students to see why they need to read the Federalist Papers. You can't understand contemporary debate in society if you don't have an understanding of that material. That is the foundation," she explained.

Politics have always played an important role in Fulco's life. After growing up in a "politically conscious" family in Boston, she thought that her early interest in languages would lead to a job at the United Nations. After discovering the ideas of political philosophy in graduate school, however, she knew she wanted to teach. And as a teacher Fulco has discovered that students work best when high standards are set, a message clearly transmitted in her classes.

Stacey Joslin '95 majored in women's studies and decided on a concentration in law because of Fulco's influence. "I learned how to read court cases and how to write legal briefs in her 'Law, Gender Issues, and the Supreme Court' class," said Joslin of her former professor. "She expects a lot from her students and she expects students to live up to her expectations. She cares about students and respects their opinions. She's very passionate about her job and what she teaches."

Fulco's talents are recognized in many quarters of Trinity. Associate Academic Dean J. Ronald Spencer describes Fulco's teaching ability as being "so extraordinarily versatile that it is a little short of breathtaking. Renny is a very special person who has performed a constructive and creative role for the College."

Real world of politics

In addition to her roles in Trinity's programs in public policy studies, political science, and women's studies, Fulco also is involved in the College's CityTerm and the Cities Program, where students get the opportunity to look at political and other urban issues firsthand. As political science major Peter Burns '97 says, "we're exposed to the real-life side of things."

Fulco's research interests focus on women and the law, and she is working on two book-length manuscripts. The first examines the role of the Supreme Court in the historical evolution of gender equality in America. The second effort explores pornography, abortion, and sexual harassment in the context of feminist legal theory.

But it is teaching - in all its variations - that seems most compelling and rewarding to Fulco. Four years ago she and Associate Professor of History John Chatfield, started meeting with students for lunch every Friday in the faculty dining room to discuss current topics of interest. "Frequently," said Fulco, "the real intellectual growth of students occurs outside the classroom - and not just one-on-one but in groups."

An adviser of many students and the director of numerous independent studies, internships, and graduate theses, Fulco is moved when she receives letters or calls from students years after they have left Trinity. "The kind of teaching we do at Trinity allows for that to happen," she reflected. "Our students know they're not just another name or number." Referring to a kind letter from a grateful parent of one of her students, Fulco says, "That kind of feedback is the reward for teaching. It's not tied to anything but the relationship with the student. It gives what I do a precious quality. It's real. It's what life is really about."

-- Suzanne Zack

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