POL S 299 A: Special Topics in Political Science

Veteran political consultants and media pundits Cathy Allen (Democrat) and Randy Pepple (Republican) present students an opportunity to learn the key components of political campaigns today and the practical experience of putting to use what they learn on an actual campaign.

In PS 299, Modern Political Campaigns, students will learn how (even before COVID) political professionals had moved from the dark ages of hand-written voter lists and one-way communications to the dominance of Big Data targeting and the 24/7 social media engagement we see today.

The course is grounded in today’s reality, so you'll be asked to choose an active campaign to monitor, identifying the strategic moves and messages your candidate utilizes to better position him/herself to win. Among the learning opportunities you’ll have in this Special Topics course:

• Seeing what digital campaigning can offer. Join a class that lets you potentially become the expert advising a campaign on a new style of social network-based campaigning, from virtual Town Halls to Zoom fundraising.
• No matter what crisis knocks you off balance, every campaign needs to be centered on a relevant, inspiring, brief message from which the campaign grows. How do you find, create, and stay on a message?
• Understanding how the role of image and voice grows more important as our post-COVID environment continues to change behavior, including forcing us to see candidates on screens in front of us, instead of at public events.
• Fundraising is a skill everyone will need at one time or another in their lives, and this class can help you learn how NOT to fear or hate it. We will share logical tips that make "the ask" efficient and effective, especially online.

By the end of the course, the engaged student will have a solid understanding of the underlying fundamentals of current campaigns and the many strategic decisions campaign professionals face. Ideally this learning experience will put those who are interested at the top of the list for the political professionals making hundreds of hiring decisions locally for campaigns in 2022. 

Learning objectives

It’s an oft-repeated truism that elections have consequences – and thus the importance of the campaigns that persuade the voters whose decisions prompt those consequences. This course focuses on the nuts and bolts of staffing winning campaigns, but many of the lessons have broader applications to our lives, including:

• Strategic thinking
• Communication and persuasion skills
• Raising funds for a cause
• Dealing with criticism
• Team building
• Planning and project management
• Using the right technology – and not over-reaching your team’s capacities

Grading

Over the course of the quarter, students will have a short weekly assignment based on lectures and the campaigns of the candidate of their choice. Attendance and participation in class is a must to succeed. There will also be two quizzes, one of them in class, and a final exam which will include an oral presentation to the instructors.

Unless otherwise noted, assignments are due before class begins at 4:30 pm on the assigned due date. Students must upload an electronic version of their assignment to Canvas by this time for full credit.

Students will earn their grades based on the following class elements:

• Participation (20%): For this class to be successful, students need to regularly attend class and be ready to join in discussions of the topic and materials. Participation is based on attendance, evidence of preparation, and contributions to class activities.
• Weekly assignments, based on lectures and candidate campaigns (20%): Due every Tuesday, starting Jan. 10.
• Quiz #1 (20%): Conducted in class, Jan. 26, based on first four weeks of lectures.
• Quiz #2 (20%): Distributed in class, Feb. 16, based on lectures from weeks 5-7. Quiz is due before class Feb. 21.
• Final Presentation (20%): Appointments will be scheduled in 10-minute time blocks for individual presentations during finals week. Proposed dates: March 13 and 14, 11 am – 2 pm.

Grading scale: Written assignments and presentations will show a point total based on the total points available for the task. Final grades will be based on the raw score out of 100 and converted to the 4.0 scale.

Grading Criteria. The following rough guidelines will be used in the evaluation of the written assignments.

Work in the 3.6-4.0 range is characterized by creative and persuasive arguments which are augmented by material drawn from course lectures and readings. Clear and error-free writing is a must.

Work in the 3.1-3.5 range is characterized by sound and reasonably thoughtful arguments while addressing nearly all components of the prompt. Attention to spelling and grammar still essential.

Work in the 2.6-3.0 range is characterized by relatively underdeveloped or simplistic arguments, with little application of course material. Awkward or otherwise distracting prose is a problem.

Work in the 2.1-2.5 range is characterized by incoherent or extremely confusing arguments; prose minimally engages prompt; superficial or fleeting engagement with the course material; chaotic or irrational organization; and error-riddled prose.

Written work that lacks argument or analysis, and is sloppy, will earn 2.0 or below.

Late Assignments.  If you cannot complete an assignment on time or attend a quiz, you must notify the instructor ahead of time.  You are responsible for making arrangements for a new quiz  date.

Late Penalty. Penalties are at the discretion of the instructors. The general policy is a 20% deduction if it is turned in within 24 hours of the due date, and a 50% deduction if it is turned in within 48 hours of the original due date. Assignments turned in later will receive a 0.

Grade Appeals. Students must submit a written (1 page) appeal within one week of receiving their grade. This appeal should articulate your understanding of the assignment or question, and why the grade is inappropriate. The instructor then has two weeks to respond and may assign a new grade (higher or lower) as part of the review process. Students then have the option of appealing to the department chair, which exhausts the grade appeals process.

Readings

Required: Cathy Allen, Taking Back Politics: An Insider’ Guide to Winning (1996) Jalapeno Press (ISBN 0965311201).; This book covers the essential skills and strategies of modern campaigns, and various selections will be provided from it.

Other required reading materials will be available electronically or will be provided by the instructors.  The readings are listed in advance of the day they will be discussed (in other words, they should be read prior to that class period).

Accessibility

If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please communicate your approved accommodations to either one of your instructors as soon as possible so we can discuss your needs in this course. If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924 or uwdrs@uw.edu or disability.uw.edu. DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructors, and DRS. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

Religious Accommodations

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site..

Course Conduct

Every student brings a different perspective to the classroom (as do the instructors). We encourage differences of opinion, but they must be expressed with respect for the views of other students. If you have suggestions for improving the course, we would also like to hear them.

Students engaging in behavior that is disrespectful, disrupting or distracting (such as texting, talking on the phone, web surfing, talking to other students, etc.) may be asked to leave.  All cases of suspected academic misconduct will be referred to the Arts and Sciences Committee on Academic Conduct, and may result in a grade of 0.0 for the assignment in question. 

The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-120-024) defines academic misconduct as: (a) "Cheating," which includes, but is not limited to: (i)The use of unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; or (ii)The acquisition, use, or distribution of unpublished materials created by another student without the express permission of the original author(s). (b) "Falsification," which is the intentional use or submission of falsified data, records, or other information including, but not limited to, records of internship or practicum experiences or attendance at any required event(s). Falsification also includes falsifying scientific and/or scholarly research. (c) "Plagiarism," which is the submission or presentation of someone else's words, composition, research, or expressed ideas, whether published or unpublished, without attribution. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to: (i)The use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment; or (ii)The unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or acquired from an entity engaging in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.   (d) Prohibited collaboration. (e) Engaging in behavior specifically prohibited by an instructor in the course of class instruction or in a course syllabus.   (f) Multiple submissions of the same work in separate courses without the express permission of the instructor(s). (g) Taking deliberate action to destroy or damage another's academic work in order to gain an advantage for oneself or another. (h) The recording of instructional content without the express permission of the instructor(s), and/or the dissemination or use of such unauthorized records.

University policies and guidelines regarding cheating and plagiarism can be found at https://depts.washington.edu/grading/pdf/AcademicResponsibility.pdf (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site..

Improve your writing by visiting the Writing Lab!

Good writing is a skill that is learned (and requires lots of practice and feedback). Fortunately, the Political Science Writing Center is here to help! It offers a number of useful tip sheets (e.g. plagiarism; proper citation) at http://depts.washington.edu/pswrite/forstudents.html .  In addition, you can schedule an appointment with one of the student advisors at https://depts.washington.edu/pswrite/ .  They get busy, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead!

Reminders:

*Required readings are expected to have been read by the day they are listed in the syllabus, as they are aligned with the lecture topics.

*Assignments listed are due for electronic submission on Canvas by 4:30 pm before the class date listed.

**Please note the instructors reserve the right to change/update this syllabus during quarter** 

Week One

Jan 3

CLASS OVERVIEW and FOCUS GROUP SESSIONS (Cathy and Randy)

Jan 5

TODAY’S CAMPAIGN ENVIRONMENT (Cathy)

READING:

early_data_youth_vote_report.pdf (tufts.edu)

Researchers say 2022 election had second highest young voter turnout in last 30 years – The Hill

How the Worst Fears for Democracy Were Averted in 2022 - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Mellman: Who are the extremists? | The Hill

Week Two

Jan 10

PLANNING TO WIN – Review the components of a campaign plan and discuss how to keep the document alive during the campaign. (Randy)

READING:

Sun Tzu, Art of Warfare, On Assessments, p. 103-05.

Taking Back Politics, Chapter 4: Campaign Plan, p. 33-62

Jan 12

IMAGE, VOICE, & CONFIDENCE (Cathy)

Reading: Taking Back Politics, Chapter 10: Speech and Image, p. 171-190

Reading: The Role of Image in the Political Campaigns (ijser.org) Links to an external site.

Reading: Lorraine Howell: Give Your Elevator Speech a Lift

Assignment for Tuesday: Identify a candidate campaign to follow through the quarter and utilize a photo and/or recording to highlight qualities of your chosen candidate's image presented to the voters.

Week Three

Jan 17

POLLING & STRATEGIC RESEARCH: Utilize current state and national surveys to understand the value – and limitations – of political research. (Randy)

Reading: Taking Back Politics: Chapter 8, Polling and Research

Jan 19

IDENTIFYING AND TARGETING YOUR VOTERS (Cathy)

Reading: The Basics of a Solid Targeting Program (Campaign & Elections Magazine)

Reading: Best Election Strategies to Win an Election (Aristotle)

Assignment for Tuesday: Write a survey question for your campaign and explain why it may provide data for better targeting of young voters.

Week Four 

Jan 24

FUNDRAISING (Cathy)

Reading: Reading: Taking Back Politics, Chapter 6, Fundraising, p. 93 – 12

Jan 26

QUIZ I –The quiz will have one question each from the first seven lecture topics, from which you will choose three to answer in up to 300 words each. It will be handed out at the start of class, and will be due by the end of class. (Cathy and Randy)

Assignment for Tuesday: Write a fundraising email for your candidate, identifying your target audience and the monetary goal for the email.

Week Five

Jan 31

MAKING IT STRATEGIC: The Leesburg Grid, Message Box & other tools (Randy)

Feb 2

Plowing the field: Tactics for getting your message out (Randy)

Reading: Taking Back Politics, Chapter 11: Field Operations, p. 191-222.

Assignment for Tuesday: Complete a message box for your candidate. 

Week Six

Feb 7

NO FAKE NEWS: REAL PRESS (Cathy and guest speakers)

Reading: Taking Back Politics, The Press, p. 273-293.

Reading: New Threats to American Press Freedom by Anne Applebaum

Reading: An article from each of our speakers will be provided prior to Week 6.

Feb 9

LET'S GET DIGITAL (Randy)

Reading (to skim for perspective): Inside The Cave, power point deck, 93 slides

Assignment for Tuesday: Identify a current element of your chosen campaign’s digital profile (web site, Facebook, emails, etc.), and write a one-page memo advocating a way to improve it to reach college voters.

Week Seven

Feb 14

KNOW THY ENEMY: The World of “Oppo” (Randy)

Reading: Taking Back Politics: Chapter 18, Damage Control, p. 345-355.

Feb 16

HANDLING NEGATIVE ATTACKS   (Cathy)

QUIZ II –The quiz will have one question from each of the lecture topics from weeks 5 through 7, from which you will choose three to answer in up to 300 words each. It will be handed out at the end of class. Extra credit opportunities will be available. It is due before class Feb. 21.

Reading: Axios Hard Truths and The Brennan Center Reports on 2022 legislative changes in election laws.

Week Eight

Feb 21

ELECTION REFORM

Guest Speaker on Election Reforms & Hacking Updates (Cathy)

Reading: Politics & Ethics, from Aristotle to Today’s Voters

Reading: Reading: Kim Wyman, Election 2020: Controlling Chaos; p. 320 -336.

Feb 23

WOMEN & IDENTITY POLITICS (Cathy/Guest Speaker)

Reading: Campaigning with Identity Politics/Barbara Lee Foundation Position Paper

Assignment for Tuesday: For students who have women candidates, an opportunity to explain what the candidate is doing to maximize her candidacy as a woman. For students who have a male candidate running against a woman candidate, how is he using or compensating for her being a woman?

And for those who don’t fit in either category, how is their candidate appealing to women voters?

Week Nine

Feb 28

THE POWER OF ENDORSEMENTS & INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES Third-party operations that can overwhelm campaigns. (Randy)

Mar 2

ETHICS: The Politics of Your Values.  (Cathy)

Week Ten

Mar 7

VIEW FROM THE CANDIDATE: Elected Guest Speaker (Randy)

Mar 9

What did you learn that we missed – and preparation for your final presentation. (Cathy and Randy)

Final

Individual presentations – 5 minutes each – about your chosen campaign.

Proposed timing: Monday, March 13, 11 am - 2 pm, and Tuesday, March 14, 11 am - 2 pm (10-minute time blocks)