One of the nation’s most respected political scientists and a prominent young political leader will team up at Vanderbilt University to teach a unique course in which students create strategies on how best to win the 2008 Democratic and Republican presidential nominations. Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer and former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. will co-teach “Capturing the 2008 Presidential Nominations.”
The class will blend academic and real world experience, providing the students a rare opportunity to study one of the most hotly contested presidential campaigns in the last 50 years. Students will be required to learn the rules of the nomination process and then develop a plan for their candidates to win the nomination. There will also be guest speakers, including individuals who have been and currently are involved in the presidential campaign.
“Students will experience the multitude of challenges in running a presidential campaign,” said Geer, who has taught and written extensively about political campaigns, elections, public opinion and negative ads. “Each student must create a platform for his or her candidate and develop strategies for political fundraising, campaigning and advertising.” Geer said that these challenges are especially intriguing given the many changes in the rules governing the 2008 selection process.
At the end of the course, students will make presentations and submit papers that lay out their plans. The one-hour credit class, which will meet six times during the fall semester, will be offered through the Vanderbilt Department of Political Science.
Ford, a visiting professor of public policy at Vanderbilt, taught a popular course on American political leadership last spring. He is the current chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council after serving five terms in the House of Representatives. Ford said that he is looking forward to teaching an election-related course with Geer as the presidential campaign moves into high gear.
“One of my goals is to help these Vanderbilt students develop a better understanding of ‘real-world politics’ on the national level,” said Ford, who earned a bachelor’s degree in American history from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from the University of Michigan.
Geer, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Franklin and Marshall College and doctorate in political science from Princeton University, is the editor of the prestigious Journal of Politics. He has written several books, including In Defense of Negativity: Attack Ads in Presidential Campaigns, Nominating Presidents and From Tea Leaves to Opinion Polls.
Due to the requirements of the course, enrollment will be limited to no more than 50 students. For more information, contact the Vanderbilt Department of Political Science at 615-322-6222.
Media Contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, 615-322-NEWS
annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu