Spots open for class that will travel to New Hampshire for presidential primary season

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Virginia Commonwealth University political science class will be on the ground in New Hampshire at the height of the presidential primary in early 2016.

The class, Political Campaigns and Communication, will give 32 VCU students a firsthand look at the various presidential campaigns, providing an opportunity to learn about strategy and modern campaigning from national political insiders.

"It's important for students to realize that sometimes theory and practice don't match up, and politics is always changing through new campaign innovations, so what they're reading about in their textbooks might not match up with each campaign’s tactics," said Alexandra Reckendorf, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science in the College of Humanities and Sciences, who will lead the course.

Alexandra Reckendorf, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science in the College of Humanities and Sciences, pictured with Republican candidate Gov. Chris Christie, at left, and Democratic candidate Martin O'Malley, at right.
Alexandra Reckendorf, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science in the College of Humanities and Sciences, pictured with Republican candidate Gov. Chris Christie, at left, and Democratic candidate Martin O'Malley, at right.

Politics is always changing through new campaign innovations, so what they're reading about in their textbooks might not match up with each campaign’s tactics.

The course will be open to all students at VCU, not just those studying political science. An informational session will be held today at 4 p.m. in room 328 of Founders Hall, 827 W. Franklin St.

The class – an intersession course that takes place during winter break – will get underway on Dec. 28, beginning with three days in the classroom at VCU. The students will then travel to New Hampshire, where they will attend a student political convention, which will feature talks by political insiders and candidates.

They will then visit several campaigns, meet with an editor at the New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper, the executive director of the New Hampshire GOP, and the New Hampshire Deputy Secretary of State.

Also as part of the course, the students will participate in at least 20 hours of service learning, serving for example as volunteers with one of the presidential campaigns or with the news media.

"I'm hoping that by meeting members of various campaign teams, students will better understand how the strategies adopted by candidates vary based on the context of the race – who they are trying to court, where they are ranked in the polls [and] how much visibility they have in the media," Reckendorf said. "For example, we can see distinct differences between the way Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley are running their campaigns."

Seeing the presidential campaigns in action in New Hampshire will be an invaluable experience, particularly for students interested in campaigns and elections, Reckendorf said.

"It's important for students who want to be involved in campaigns to understand that they aren't as glamorous as Hollywood makes them out to be," she said. "I think a lot of students will be surprised to see what an actual campaign headquarters looks like and who is doing most of the grunt work on these campaigns."

The trip to New Hampshire, which will wrap up Jan. 11, will allow students to meet the people who are doing field work on behalf of political campaigns, the news media, state political parties and interest groups.

"It gives them a chance to hear stories from the campaign 'trenches' so that they feel like insiders themselves, and they'll be expected to get involved in the campaigns of their choice so that they get firsthand experience working with campaigns," Reckendorf said. "VCU's motto is 'Make It Real' and this certainly allows them to do just that."

Reckendorf laid the groundwork for the class over the summer by traveling to New Hampshire and making connections with a number of campaigns, including the Clinton, Sanders, O'Malley, Trump, Graham and Paul teams.

Interested students who are unable to attend the session on Thursday may contact Reckendorf at anreckendorf@vcu.edu for more information.

VCU's motto is 'Make It Real' and this certainly allows them to do just that.

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