About
The Fall 2020 semester presented a quadrennial opportunity to study American politics during a presidential campaign. “The 2020 Election” combined real-time analysis of the election, a lively roster of guest speakers from across the Berkeley campus and community, and an in-depth study of relevant historical and sociological trends that have shaped the contemporary moment. This class, hosted by Professor Michael Cohen (Department of African American Studies) and Professor Sarumathi Jayaraman (Goldman School of Public Policy), provided students with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary introduction to American politics in a time of unprecedented crisis and possibility.
Healthy and civil debate was welcomed as students were prompted to analyze how America’s past reflects its current politics and policy by attempting to answer challenging questions such as: How has white supremacy shaped the United States since its founding? Why are there only two political parties in the United States? And how will the future of American democracy be defined by this year’s election? Inspired by students' desires for an academic space to learn and talk about the election, this course was designed to provide students with the opportunity to relate what they were learning to their personal lives and to apply their knowledge outside the classroom/mobilize change outside the classroom. Students were encouraged/invited to enroll in the “Freedom of Summer” internship, where they got hands-on experience reaching out to restaurant workers in key swing states to get out and vote. Read more