What We Are Learning This Week with Dr. Ian Brodie

November 2, 2020 in POLI 477 American Politics

Dr. Ian Brodie is focusing on the battleground states in the US presidential election and the Electoral College's role in picking a good president.

 

Can you tell us a little more about this topic?

Since Alexander Hamilton famously argued that "energy in the executive" is the key to ensuring good government, American's have changed the constitutional rules for selecting their presidents a few times. Following Jim Ceaser's classic history of presidential selection, we are looking at seven battleground states and the campaigns in those states that will decide whether Donald Trump gets another four years or Joe Biden finally gets his chance at running the executive branch.

What else do you cover in your course?

We cover all the institutions of American politics—Congress, the courts, political parties.

What do you love about teaching this course?

Frankly, teaching American politics during a presidential election is the best teaching assignment at the University of Calgary. Students watch history being made in real time. My only job is to put the unfolding of today's history into a bit of context.

Finally, what other courses would you recommend for students interested this topic?

Understand US politics, for sure. But also—Canadian! Start with POLI 321 Politics and Government in Canada and go on from there.
 

Our Thanks to Dr. Ian Brodie for sharing your course with us.