This field program allows students from all different majors to\nexperience first-hand the dynamic and politically crucial 2020 Iowa caucuses\nand New Hampshire primary. Presidential\ncampaigns place enormous importance on these states whose premier placement in\nAmerican presidential elections is protected by the rules of our nation\u2019s two\nmajor political parties. Our ability to\ninteract with presidential candidates and experts in these two states\nconstitutes a signature experience in an individual\u2019s engagement with the\ndemocratic experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through the courses and field experience, students will analyze the key\nprocesses of presidential elections, including the role of primaries and\ncaucuses and the development of grassroots campaign efforts that are\nparticularly essential to states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. This program will allow students to directly\nobserve candidates, campaign and party organizations, and citizen participation\nin these unique and politically important states. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main questions we will ask ourselves are: Why are Iowa and New Hampshire \u2013 states not\nrepresentative of the demographic makeup of the U.S. population \u2013 accorded this\nunique status in the process of determining the major party nominees? Does the\nunique status accorded to these two states make a positive contribution to the\ndemocratic process of selecting a U.S. president?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Academics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A total of seven (7) semester hours credit will be earned with this\nprogram: 4 SH during Fall 2019, 2 SH during January 2020 and 1 SH during Spring\n2020. Final grades for all courses will be determined by the program directors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n POLS 221: Presidential Elections<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Semester Hours: 3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Attribute: GESS<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taught and completed on-campus during Fall 2019, this course is an\nexamination of modern U.S. presidential election laws and processes that\ninfluence candidate and voter behavior. \nSpecific topics include: primary elections and nominations, campaign\nfinance law, voter turnout, debates, the Electoral College, media coverage, and\nthe role of political parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPST 280: Orientation Seminar: Presidential Program<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Semester Hours: 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n Attribute: none<\/p>\n\n\n\n The orientation seminar is an opportunity for students to prepare\nacademically, culturally, and logistically for the upcoming field program. This\ncourse familiarizes students with political and social environments of Iowa and\nNew Hampshire and provides important background about the current processes and\nhistorical evolution of the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n SPST 284: Field Studies: Presidential Program<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Semester Hours: 2 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Attribute: none<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taught during the program in January, this course provides an\ninterdisciplinary survey of contemporary issues in Iowa and New Hampshire. Students\nconduct field research during the field program on a topic developed in\nconsultation with Dr. Roberts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SPST 281: Reentry Seminar: <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Semester Hours: 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n Attribute: None<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taught Spring 2020, this seminar is an opportunity for students to\ninternalize, integrate, and formulate the personal and academic learning gained\nfrom their field program. Through\nreflection, writing assignments, and the creation of a presentation for the\ncollege community, students will interpret and articulate their growth and\nexperiences. Technical and\norganizational skills needed to create a successful presentation will also be\ndeveloped.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This field program allows students from all different majors to experience first-hand the dynamic and politically crucial 2020 Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. Presidential campaigns place enormous importance on these states whose premier placement in American presidential elections is protected by the rules of our nation\u2019s two major political parties. Our ability to interact … <\/p>\n