Assignments

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Course Requirements

Your grade will be based on your campaign journal, a group board game on the election process, a final essay on campaign reform, and class participation. Each of these assignments, including class participation, is weighted equally. 

Click on links below for more information. 

Campaign Notebook: This journal, to be updated continually through the course, consists of three parts:

  1. A reading diary – A chronicle of your reactions to the assigned reading and class discussions
  2. A Congressional campaign journal – A chronicle and analysis of a Congressional election campaign from your home district or state
  3. A Presidential campaign journal – A chronicle and analysis of a Presidential nomination campaign 

The Election Game Board Game Group Project: Students will work in groups of three or four to create a board game representing the election process. More information will be provided in class. The games are due April 3.

A Final Essay: Each student will turn in a final 8-10 page essay on some aspect of electoral reform. The essay is due May 1.

Class Participation: Thoughtful and reflective engagement in class discussion is an important part of this course. You are expected to keep up with election news in a variety media. Most Fridays will be set aside for discussions of the news of the week. You will also be expected to discuss the assigned reading and also to respond to the ideas of others. Students can expect to be called on to discuss readings in class. Students who come unprepared for class may be asked to leave. Come to class with your campaign journal as a reference.