THE SOUTH CAROLINA HUMANITIES

Electoral Initiative

A VIRTUAL PROGRAM SERIES

OCTOBER 2020 – APRIL 2021

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND

Not Your Founding Fathers' Electoral College

Dr. Robert Alexander’s seminar titled “Not Your Founding Fathers’ Electoral College” was originally co-sponsored by the Clemson University Department of Political Science and the nonpartisan group Clemson Votes as a part of Clemson University’s Constitution Day programming. The seminar addresses how the electoral college was created and how it has evolved with nearly 800 attempts to abolish or amend it. Click here to view the 75-minute seminar. If you view the seminar, please click here to take our 3-question survey.

LIVE: OCTOBER 27, 2020 • 7:00 PM

The Outlook for the 2020 Elections

“The Outlook for the 2020 Elections” is a live, virtual roundtable with University of South Carolina political science faculty, Dr. Kirk Randazzo, Dr. Robert Oldendick, Dr. Todd Shaw, and Dr. Jessica Schoenherr.  The program explores issues shaping the outcome of the Presidential and Congressional elections, including the Supreme Court nomination, the coronavirus pandemic, health care, the economy, and “law and order.” Click here to view the recording of the live program. If you view the program, please click here to take our 3-question survey.

LIVE: OCTOBER 29, 2020 • 7:00 PM 

Social Media in American Elections and How to Spot the Trolls

“Social Media in American Elections and How to Spot the Trolls” is a live, virtual webinar. Clemson University faculty Dr. Jeff Fine (Political Science), Dr. Darren Linvill (Communications), and Dr. Patrick Warren (Economics) will discuss social media election content and their nationally recognized “spot the troll tool.” Click here to view the recording of the live webinar. If you view the webinar, please click here to take our 3-question survey

LIVE: NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • 7:00 PM 

Partisan Polarization, a 2020 Presidential Election Analysis

“Partisan Polarization, a 2020 Presidential Election Analysis” is a live, virtual panel discussion. Dr. Jeffrey Peake and Dr. Laura Olson from the Department of Political Science at Clemson University, Dr. David Darmofal from the Department of Political Science at the University of South Carolina, and Dr. Jordan Ragusa from the Department of Political Science at the College of Charleston discussed the 2020 Presidential Election. The program was hosted by Clemson University. Click here to watch the webinar recording. If you view the program, please click here to take our brief survey

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND

Law, Justice, and the Future of U.S. Elections

“Law, Justice, and the Future of U.S. Elections” is a pre-recorded presentation by Professor Lori Ringhand of the University of Georgia School of Law. The electoral process has been under scrutiny because of issues such as voter access, foreign interference, allegations of voter fraud and new stresses imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. What is the future of U.S. elections and the legal landscape surrounding them? Click here to watch the program on-demand. If you view the program, please click here to take our brief survey

LIVE: JANUARY 19, 2021 • 7:00 PM 

Interpreting the Results of the 2020 Elections

“Interpreting the Results of the 2020 Elections” is a live, virtual forum on the eve of the presidential inauguration. Four political scientists from the University of South Carolina will share their interpretations of the 2020 election and the impact it will have on the future of government in the United States. Topics include women voters, election forecasts and voter turnout, continuity and change in Congress, and the impact the election could have on redistricting. Click here to watch the recording of the live event on YouTube. If you view the program, please click here to take our brief survey

LIVE: JANUARY 25, 2021 • 5:30 PM

Post Inauguration Day Analysis: Where do we go from here?

Post Inauguration Day Analysis: Where do we go from here?” is a live, virtual roundtable with Lander University political science faculty Dr. Matthew Malone, Dr. Lucas McMillan, Dr. Kimberly Richburg, and Dr. Ashley Woodiwiss. In addition to election analysis at the national and state levels, panelists discuss the roles of women in politics, crisis management in a time of polarization, and the view of the United States from abroad. Click here to register for the event and watch the recording. Suggested readings for this event can be found here. If you view the program, please click here to take our brief survey

LIVE: FEBRUARY 8, 2021 • 5:30 PM

Lessons from November: Who voted, who didn’t, and why does it matter?

Lessons from November: Who voted, who didn’t, and why does it matter?”  is a live, virtual seminar with political scientists Dr. Amy E. Black of Wheaton College and Dr. Quentin Kidd of Christopher Newport University. Topics will include voting rights, voter access, and voter suppression as well as re-districting in the past and following Census 2020. The program will be hosted by Lander University. Click here to register for the event and watch the recording. Suggested readings for this event can be found here. If you view the program, please click here to take our brief survey

LIVE: FEBRUARY 15, 2021 • 7:00 PM

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV): A Better Alternative?

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV): A Better Alternative?” is a live, virtual lecture by Francis Marion University faculty members. Dr. Richard Almeida, Dr. Lauren Perez, and Dr. Dillon Tatum will discuss the positive and negative impacts of increasing voter input into the political system via ranked-choice voting.  Ranked-choice voting is used in local elections in more than 20 U.S. cities and in statewide elections in Maine.  It allows voters to indicate their order of preference for all candidates running for an elective office. Click here to view the recorded program on YouTube. If you view the program, please click here to take our brief survey

LIVE: FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • 5:30 PM

The Engaged Citizen: Stories from Activists

The Engaged Citizen: Stories from Activists” is a live, virtual roundtable with Mary Anne Inglis, former manager of Republican congressional campaigns and now co-founder of My Neighbor’s Voice, an organization that hosts forums on how to build stronger communities in a time of toxic partnership; Laurin Manning Gandy, a digital media strategist who has worked on Democratic presidential campaigns; and Jerry Blassingame, Founder and CEO of Soteria Community Development Corporation.  Topics will include avenues for civic engagement, ideological polarization, and the rural/urban divide. The program will be hosted by Lander University. Click here to register for the event and watch the recording. Suggested readings for this event can be found here. If you view the program, please click here to take our brief survey

LIVE: MARCH 8, 2021 • 5:30 PM

What is needed to keep a democracy healthy?

Dr. Steven Levitsky, Professor of Government at Harvard University, will share insights from his best-selling book How Democracies Die (co-authored with Daniel Ziblatt). Levitsky uses comparative and geographic-based analysis on the functioning of democracies. He will discuss the challenges that democracies face in the 21st century. Watch this interview with Dr. Levitsky conducted two weeks after Election Day 2020 to prepare for the live, virtual webinar on March 8. This program will be hosted by Lander University. Click here to register for the event.  Suggested readings for this event can be found here.  If you view the program, please click here to take our brief survey. This program will be hosted by Lander University. 

Presented by

Featured
Speakers

The South Carolina Humanities Electoral Initiative features scholars from institutions across the country. 

Dr. Almeida is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Geography at Francis Marion University. He specializes in American political behavior, formal political theory, and classical political thought.
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Dr. Richard Almeida

Francis Marion University

Dr. Black is a Professor of Political Science at Wheaton College (IL). A specialist in American Government, her research interests include religion and politics, the Presidency, and Congress.
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Dr. Amy E. Black

Wheaton College

Jerry Blassingame is the Founder and CEO of Soteria Community Development Corporation. He endeavors to empower individuals and the community through education, affordable housing, financial literacy, community and economic development, and entrepreneurship.
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Jerry Blassingame

Executive Director of Soteria CDC

Dr. Fine is a Professor in the Political Science Department. His research focuses on the U.S. Congress, including questions of representation, how Congress interacts with other actors, and how social media is used by political elites.
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Dr. Jeff Fine

Clemson University 

Inglis is a former manager of Republican congressional campaigns and now co-founder of My Neighbor’s Voice.
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Mary Anne Inglis

Co-Founder of My Neighbor’s Voice

Dr. Kidd is the Dean of the College of Social Sciences, Professor of Political Science, and Director of the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University. Dr. Kidd teaches courses in American politics and quantitative analysis.
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Dr. Quentin Kidd

Christopher Newport University

Dr. Levitsky is a Professor of Government at Harvard University. His research interests include political parties, authoritarianism and democratization, and weak and informal institutions, with a focus on Latin America.
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Dr. Steven Levitsky

Harvard University

Dr. Malone is an Assistant Professor of Political Science & Homeland Security in the Department of Government, Criminology, & Sociology at Lander University.
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Dr. Matthew Malone

Lander University

Dr. McMilan is a Professor of Political Science in the Department of Government, Criminology, & Sociology and the Dean of the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences at Lander University.
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Dr. Lucas McMillan

Lander University

Dr. Oldendick has over 40 years experience in the field of public policy research. During this time he has served as principal investigator or project manager on more than two hundred projects. He is also the author of numerous articles on research methodology.
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Dr. Robert Oldendick

University of South Carolina

Dr. Randazzo a Professor in the Department of Political Science. His research and teaching interests span the fields of American Politics, Comparative Politics, and Methodology – with a particular focus on law and judicial politics.
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Dr. Kirk Randazzo

University of South Carolina

Dr. Richburg is an Associate Professor of Political Science in the Department of Government, Criminology, & Sociology at Lander University.
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Dr. Kimberly Richburg

Lander University

As a Professor at the University of Georgia School of Law, Lori A. Ringhand teaches courses on constitutional law, election law, and state and local government law. She is a nationally known Supreme Court scholar.
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Professor Lori Ringhand

University of Georgia 

Dr. Schoenherr is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science. She studies the United States Supreme Court, with a focus on both attorney strategy and Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

Dr. Jessica Schoenherr

University of South Carolina

Dr. Shaw researches and teaches broadly in the areas of African American politics, urban politics and public policy, as well as citizen activism and social movements.
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Dr. Todd Shaw

University of South Carolina

Dr. Tatum is an Assistant Professor of Political Science. His research interests focus on international relations theory, global social and political theory, and security studies.
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Dr. Dillon Tatum

Francis Marion University 

Dr. Warren is an Associate Professor of Economics. His research investigates the operation of organizations in the economy—for-profit and non-profit firms, bureaucracies, political parties, and even armies.
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Dr. Patrick Warren

Clemson University 

A National Initiative

This program was funded by the “Why it Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation” initiative, administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The “Why It Matters” initiative will provide free humanities programs to engage the public in collaborative, accessible, and thought-provoking dialogues on the importance of electoral and civic participation. 

 

Questions?

Contact Dr. Alice Taylor-Colbert at atcolbert@schumanities.org