U.S. Elections

Sessions 1 and 2: We will start with a discussion of the rules that govern the selection of the President of the United States, as well as rules for electing Senators and Representatives.  This will include the original system of selecting the president and vice president from the same pool of candidates, the current two-person ticket approach, and the role of the Electoral College.  We will look at historical maps showing the outcomes of elections from the first one to our most recent election.  

Session 3:  We will then move into presidential campaigns, party affiliations, fundraising, volunteering, and public relations.  In this session, we will also discuss debates and the shifting dynamics between candidates as a campaign season progresses.  This will include the jockeying for position by candidates who hope to be considered for the vice presidential slot, or for other potential administration positions.

Session 4:  This session will focus on polls and primaries (and caucuses).  We will discuss the varying quality of polls, as well as polls focused on issues, rather than candidates.  In our discussion of primaries, we will discuss the differences between open, closed, and semi-open primaries, and the students will evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Session 5:  This session will focus on conventions, delegates, general election polls and debates, the election itself, the Electoral map, and disputes, and inauguration.  

Session 6:  This session will focus on a comparative analysis of other countries' election systems, including mandatory voting, strict popular vote victories, and more.

One important note is that while we will discuss the issues that candidates will raise, I will not use my own views to influence students' thinking in in this class.