Who Gets Elected and Why?

What does it take to get elected to office? What are the key elements of a successful political campaign? What are the crucial issues guiding campaigns and elections in the U.S. at the beginning of the 21st century? This class will address the process and results of electoral politics at the local, state, and federal levels. Course participants will study the stages and strategies of running for political office and will discuss the various influences on getting elected, including: campaign finance and fundraising, demographics, polling, the media, staffing, economics, and party organization. Each week we will be joined by guest speakers who are nationally recognized professionals, with expertise in different areas of the campaign and election process. Students will also analyze campaign case studies and the career of the instructor himself. Edward G. Rendell is the former Mayor of Philadelphia, former Chair of the Democratic National Committee, and former Governor of Pennsylvania.

Once this course is full, your permit request will act as your place on the waitlist. You are encouraged to attend on the first day, Mon. Sept. 12th, 5:15pm. The decision on who receives a seat will be made only by the professors, and no earlier than the first class. Demand for this course is high, their decision process is a closed one, and reaching out to the professors or the department about the waitlist is strongly discouraged. Thank you and best of luck!