GPOL 5007 -

Institution:

The New School

Subject:

Description:

Obama vs. McCain: The 2008 U.S. Election in Comparative Perspective Fall 2008. Three credits. David Plotke This course analyzes the 2008 election in the United States. Beyond its immediate importance, this election also provides a window to view major elements of contemporary politics that extend beyond 2008. We focus on the two main presidential campaigns in the United States, assessing them both as strategic efforts and as political and policy projects. We consider how the shape of government institutions and electoral rules influences the electoral process. We examine parties and other modes of political mobilization and education, including the media. And we ask how voters make their decisions about whether to vote and for whom. We attempt to explain the dynamics and later the outcome of the campaign, and how it resembles and differs from major elections in other countries. This course does not presume a prior graduate course in American politics, but does require a commitment to engaging the diverse materials that constitute a record of the campaign (speeches, media ads, public opinion polls, voting studies, interviews, and more). Bob Kerrey, President of the New School, will participate in several sessions.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.newschool.edu

Phone Number:

(212) 229-5600

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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