This 1.5 credit course was a late addition to the Fall 2022 catalogue and enrollment will be done entirely through the add/drop process. If you are interested in adding this course, please use the EC Toolkit to enter an add request.

Overview

This course is about political campaign strategies and tactics; issues that divide the country and are weaponized by politicians; and the role of business leaders in the political process. The course will focus on the 2022 midterm elections. Half the sessions will be held before the November midterm elections where we will focus on campaign strategies and tactics. The other half of the course will meet after the elections where we will more deeply explore the issues and role of business leaders in the political process.

Each session will include a guest(s) that is active in the political arena. The guests and instructors will represent both sides of the political spectrum and the course will focus on critical thinking, strategy, and execution rather than ideology or partisan political philosophy.

A political campaign is essentially a startup venture, especially for the non-incumbent. In the first half of the course, we will provide a private sector perspective on political campaign strategies and tactics. We will draw upon principles of corporate strategy, marketing, and finance as well as entrepreneurial frameworks such as product ~ market fit, structured experimentation and staged financings to identify the strategies and tactics of a successful political campaign. We will begin with an overview of the 2022 midterm elections and what is at stake. We will then use private sector concepts and frameworks to understand and analyze the major components and frameworks of a successful political campaign. Topics will include voter segmentation, messaging, communications (paid and earned media), digital media, fundraising, field operations, and debate strategy. We will also compare how the components of these strategies differ between the political and private sectors.

In the second half of the course, we will focus on the major issues and contextual factors surrounding the 2022 midterm elections. Among other topics, we will discuss the major political wedge issues dividing the country, mechanics of congress, impact of social media on the political process, money in politics, role of the press and a critique of the US major two-party system. Finally, we will explore the role of business leaders in the political process.

Leaders in the public and private sectors should fully understand the political process, the ramifications of elections, and become active participants in the process. The course is intended to engage students that have deep interest and backgrounds in politics as well as political novices. Students who hope to be a future candidate, plan to advise a candidate or are generally interested in politics may find the course interesting and useful. Although we will be focusing on the US elections, the concepts will be broadly applicable, and we welcome students from other countries.

The 2022 midterm elections may be the most consequential elections of our lifetime and promise to be highly contentious in this hyper-polarized environment. Democrats and Republicans will be fighting for control of the US Senate, US House of Representatives, Governorships, and state legislatures across the country. Because these elections could tip the balance of power in both the House and Senate, the outcomes will have far reaching implications on domestic and foreign policy, judicial appointments and how government functions.

Assignments and Grading

Assignments will include some cases, assigned readings and lots of attention to campaign developments and world events. Grading will be based on class participation, several short submissions, and a final personal reflection.