POLS 3675: Practicum in Campaigns and Elections (Conversion opportunity; Storrs)

[UConn Storrs]

Instructor: Paul Herrnson

Prerequisites: POLS 1602, and one of POLS 2607, 2622, 3603WQ, 3604, 3606, 3608, 3612, 3613, or 3625/PP 3030, or instructor consent

While this is not an Honors course, Prof. Herrnson welcomes Honors students of all majors and would be happy to offer Honors conversions for interested students.

This course gives students opportunities to hone their political skills and begin to build a political network. It differs from other courses that feature discussions of various aspects of campaigning, including strategy; fundraising; polling voter targeting; communications; and mobilization.

In this new course, students will work with members of their campaign organization to compete in a (mock) special election for Congress. Each campaign will formulate a strategy; design fundraising materials and a website; develop a message; create TV, social media, direct mail, and other advertisements; participate in a candidate debate; and carry out other electioneering activities.

Class meetings will feature briefings by candidates, strategists, pollsters, fundraisers, communication experts, and political consultants with expertise in other areas. Class time will be reserved for students to work on their campaigns. Students also will meet with each other outside of class