Women and American Political Leadership (335-0-20)

Instructors

Nancy Rodkin Rotering

Meeting Info

Annenberg Hall 345: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

With women comprising 51% of the American population, yet having significantly lower political representation, we will explore the evolution of women's political leadership in our nation. We will unpack the definition of political leadership, why gender matters and what obstacles impact women's political participation. We will learn about attaining elected vs. appointed office, the nuances of serving in the legislative and executive branches of local, state and federal government, the mechanics of running for office, what role defeat plays, and how to address ethical challenges. We will also identify how to create and move forward with an advocacy agenda. Guest speakers representing current and past elected offices as well as activists, advocates and significant campaign advisors will be a major part of our discussion, bringing historical and current perspectives to our analysis.

Teaching Method

Lecture and small group exercises

Evaluation Method

Short essay, take-home midterm, speech, and take-home final exam for evaluation.

Class Materials (Required)

Run For Something by Amanda Litman; Women, Power, and Politics by Lori Cox Han and Caroline Heldman