A MESSAGE FROM THE PROFESSORS

Welcome to the 2024 edition of PSCI 1150: U.S. Elections! 

 

We have been looking forward to this class. It is historic: the largest elective class in Vanderbilt’s history.  It is also on a topic of obvious importance.  The two presidential nominees tell us the fate of the republic is at stake.  That may be an overstatement, but this contest is critically important to the country and its future direction—more so than perhaps any other election save for 1800 and 1860. 

 

This course introduces students to the American election system and its relationship to democracy. Our primary focus will be on the presidential election, with particular attention paid to the events of the ongoing 2024 campaign and how to situate the 2024 election within a broader historical and institutional context.  But we will also address congressional elections and various local elections.  We will seek to examine and explain how election processes work to better understand the events we observe around us. The ongoing 2024 campaign will provide an ongoing series of events to help make the material “come to life.” 

 

Please note that this class is NOT a partisan class about politics. Our goal is to equip you with an evidence-based appreciation of U.S. Elections that blends insights and concepts from political science and history alongside contemporary current events in a way that will, we hope, provide a genuine understanding of elections and how to situate current events into a larger context.  We seek, in other words, to provide evidence, not ideology.

 

In an era where the vehicle you drive – Prius or F-150 – and the food you eat – Chick-fil-A or Ben and Jerry’s – often also says something about your politics, we recognize that it can be very hard to rise above ever-present polarization--especially when so much seems to be at stake. To be clear, your political beliefs and opinions are important, and we will respect the views that you hold, but they are not what this class is about. It is not our job to tell you what to think.  Our commitment, instead, is to democracy and the free exchange of ideas.  That commitment shapes our teaching and leads us to respect your political views. Our job, simply put, is to equip you with concepts and insights to help you better understand American elections. 

 

Our fondest hope is that each of you will leave this class in December with a greater appreciation of the importance and consequences of campaigns as fundamentally “democratic” undertakings that connect politicians to the public.  American democracy is not easy, it will test you, prod you, and push you.  It is disagreement that drives real change in this country, and we all need to embrace the reality that we are stronger because of those differences.  Thank you for being part of this class and our shared journey.

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Buckle Up!