So you want to be President?

We are so exited to offer this course – new for this year! The course addresses a variety of topics and skills; it is designed for anyone interested in the politics of our nation and the campaign trail. Students learn about women’s impact on our political history as well as women’s voices in politics today. What are the challenges? What are the advantages? How might it change by the time this generation takes office? With this as a starting point, students have the opportunity to create and stage their own political campaigns.

As the course coincides with the upcoming presidential elections, students can directly examine the making and shaping of a political platform, the forum of debate, and the art of campaigning. Then, they have a chance to stage their own mock elections and put theory to practice. Students organize themselves into parties and work with their group to develop a political platform. From this, they launch their campaigns. They outline the campaign trail, earmark critical speaking engagements, and develop a communications strategy. Students practice the forms of public speaking and debate to communicate their positions on a range of issues.

Students across the program have a chance to be the audience for debates and speaking engagements and to witness the campaigns taking shape. Internet Journalism students may interview candidates and attend campaign events. Journalistic reporting on the candidates’ progress can be posted to our own news site! Madeira’s location, only 30 minutes from Capitol Hill, is ideal for these students to see politics in action. During their academic field trip, students have the chance to visit the areas of Washington, D.C. that define our nation’s political scene and to meet with prominent women in politics.